If you have ever wanted to try making leather projects, now is the time. Cutting leather with your Cricut Maker is simple, easy, and effective. Learn all my tips and tricks and grab some amazing project inspiration to get started!
If you love a good project with leather, at some point you’ve probably wondered about cutting leather with Cricut Maker.
So, can the Cricut cut leather? The answer is yes!
Today, I am going to share how to cut leather with your Cricut along with some project ideas you’ll love. Then you can start cutting leather with your Cricut Maker machine to use in all your craft project ideas.
Whether you have a Cricut Maker or the Cricut Explore series, your machine can cut leather and help you create amazing projects!
What Type Of Leather Will The Cricut Cut?
Are you ready for some good news? You can cut a variety of leather types with your Cricut machine!
From faux leather to genuine leather and even to tooling leather, there is a Cricut machine that will cut each type. In fact, the Maker will work on leather up to 7 oz.
However, there is important information down below…
While the Cricut Maker will cut all types of leather, not all Cricut machines will. We will cover which types of leather to use with what machine in more detail down below.
Which Cricut Blade Is Best For Leather?
The type of blade you use for cutting leather in your Cricut Maker depends on a few factors, including what type of leather you have and what machine you’re using.
You can actually see me test a few blades as well as different types of leather in the video below.
Can’t watch the video or missed some of the steps? You can also see the information below!
Here are a few things to consider:
- Fine point blade – Faux leather can be cut with the fine point blade with either the Cricut Maker or any of the machines in the Cricut Explore series.
- Deep point blade – The Cricut genuine leather should be able to be cut with this blade on either the Cricut Maker or any of the machines in the Cricut Explore series. I do, however, have trouble with this from time to time. I usually end up using my Maker and one of the blades below for cutting genuine leather.
- Rotary blade – This blade is best for soft, garment leathers and can only be used on the Cricut Maker. You can see more about the rotary blade here!
- Knife blade – This is my favorite blade for cutting all types of genuine leather on the Cricut Maker. It will even cut really thick tooling leather! This blade opens up, so there are many more options with leather crafts. You can learn more about the knife blade here!
Cutting Leather With Cricut: Tips and Tricks For Each Model
Now that you know the Cricut can cut leather, here are the ins and outs of what each machine can do. I’m sharing a few of my insider tips and tricks so you can cut leather with your Cricut machine. After all, I want you to be successful and make all the leather projects you want!
Cutting Leather with Cricut Explore
Did you know that the Explore series will cut leather? Here are a few tips and tricks for maximum success when cutting both faux and genuine leather with your Cricut Explore machine.
Cutting Faux Leather with the Cricut Explore
When I cut faux leather with my Cricut Explore, I usually use either the green or purple mat. Be sure to place your material face down on the mat to keep the wheels from marring the surface. You can also move star wheels all the way to the right, so they will just mark the very edge.
Since your material is face down, you will want to make sure to mirror your design. Then, pick faux leather from the custom material setting menu. Your machine will cut this with a fine point blade.
Cutting Genuine Leather with the Cricut Explore
The sheets of genuine leather from Cricut are actually thin enough for your Cricut Explore machine to cut. You will, however, need to use the deep cut blade when working with genuine leather. Honestly, I have luck with this method sometimes and other times I can’t get the leather to cut with this blade.
A few tips include:
- Make sure the leather is down well on your mat. Cricut recommends putting it face down on the mat and mirror your cut.
- You can also put masking tape around the outer edge to help hold the material down.
- Also, make sure to move the star wheels all the way to the right before cutting.
Cutting Leather with Cricut Maker
The Cricut Maker is my personal favorite for cutting leather. Keep reading and you’ll see why!
Cutting Faux Leather with the Cricut Maker
Just follow the same instructions as above with the Cricut Explore series. The process is exactly the same.
Cutting Garment Leather with the Cricut Maker
If you want to use your rotary blade for these softer leathers, you will need to pick heavy denim on your Cricut as your material. Then, the machine will ask for the rotary blade.
Cutting Cricut Leather on the Cricut Maker
You CAN use the deep point blade as specified above for the Explore series. Unfortunately, I don’t have much luck with this. I usually click “edit tools” and pick the knife blade when I am using my Maker machine.
All my other tips and tricks from above remain the same. I would, however, be sure to tape down the edges with masking tape when using the knife blade.
Cutting Other Leather on the Cricut Maker
You may find that with some leather materials will not stick well face down to your mat. For those, you can put them face up on the mat. This will, however, ruin your cutting mat and that can get expensive.
You can try adding strong grip transfer tape to the back of your leather then putting it on the strong grip mat. Once you tape down the edges, it shouldn’t go anywhere.
Can the Cricut cut leather that is thick?
Yep! You can cut leather up to 7 oz thick when cutting leather with your Cricut Maker. You will want to use the knife blade for all of these other leather projects. Again, use a strong grip mat and mirror the cut if you put it face down.
Finally, always move the star wheels all the way to the right when the Cricut cuts leather.
Cutting Leather With Cricut Maker: Project Ideas
Now you are ready to use your Cricut cut leather on some projects!
Cricut Faux Leather Projects You Can Make
Here are some projects using the Cricut faux leather that may inspire you.
- How to Make Leather Earrings with Your Cricut
- Wood Grain Christmas Ornaments
- Faux Leather Earrings
- DIY Journal Cover
- Make a Leather Bow
- Faux Leather Cross Earrings
Cricut Genuine Leather Projects
Ready to break out the real genuine leather? Try these leather craft projects!
- DIY Leather Notebook
- Leather Cuff Bracelet
- DIY Leather Baby Booties
- Leather Monogram Charms
- Leather Wallet
- Embossed Leather Earrings
- Baby Moccasin Pattern
So, can the Cricut cut leather? Yes, and it’s life-changing! Try cutting leather with Cricut Maker and you’ll never go back to your old methods. You are going to love the results!
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Have you attempted textured faux leather with your maker? I have been having issues with the fine point blade not cutting and also am unable to cut is face down due to the texture not allowing a good grip to the mat. Any tips/tricks?
I have cut it before! You can put it face up on the mat. It will cut that way usually!
Were you using the fine point blade? Or deep or knife? I am running into issues with the fine tip, I was thinking it might be dull, but I haven’t had it that long so it would be disappointing is that was the case.
What kind of leather are you cutting? That makes a difference with what blade you should use.
I have struggled with keeping my leather down while cutting even with masking tape. I have tried fine point, deep cut, and finally the rotary blade. Haven’t tried knife blade yet to see if it does any better. You suggest strong grip transfer tape on the back side of the leather then place it leather side up so the transfer tape is on the mat?
You can definitely try that! Leather is tough sometimes to master!
How do you avoid the knife blade cutting the mat? I selected thin garnet leather, knife blade with less pressure and it still cut into my mat. I would love any tips or tricks you have to avoid it happening again when I’m cutting an initial and can’t use the rotary blade.
You can use a different blade if you have really thin leather. There is a faux leather that used the fine point blade.