What is Faux Leather?
Faux leather is a synthetic material that mimics the look and feel of genuine leather. It’s popular in crafting for accessories, bags, keychains, earrings, and more. It’s often made from vinyl or polyurethane (PU).
| Tool / Supply |
Use Case |
Notes |
| Faux Leather Sheets |
Main crafting material |
Available in smooth, pebbled, glitter, or textured finishes |
| Cutting Mat |
Protects your surface during cutting |
Use self-healing for rotary or craft blades |
| Craft Knife / Rotary Cutter |
Clean, precise cutting |
Sharp blades essential for clean edges |
| Cricut or Silhouette Machine |
Digital cutting of designs |
Great for earrings, patches, appliqué |
| Strong Grip Mat (Cricut) |
Holds faux leather in place |
Use with masking tape for extra hold |
| Glue (E6000, Fabric Tac) |
Permanent bond between layers |
For no-sew applications |
| Double-sided Tape |
Temporary hold or layering |
Helpful for alignment |
| Edge Paint / Sealer |
Seals raw edges of faux leather |
Use for a polished finish |
| Sewing Machine (Heavy-Duty) |
For stitched projects |
Use leather/denim needles |
| Hole Punch / Eyelet Setter |
Add holes for hardware or lacing |
Use sharp punch for clean holes |
Types of Faux Leather
| Type |
Surface Finish |
Flexibility |
Best Use |
| PU Leather |
Smooth or textured |
Medium |
Bags, journals, earrings |
| Vinyl Leather |
Glossy, sometimes stiff |
Low |
Coasters, keychains, patches |
| Faux Suede |
Matte, soft-touch |
High |
Bows, soft accessories |
| Textured/Embossed |
Pebbled, alligator, glitter |
Varies |
Statement pieces, accents |
Cutting Methods
| Method |
Tool Needed |
Best For |
| Hand Cutting |
Craft knife, rotary cutter |
Small pieces, straight lines |
| Die Cutting |
Manual die cut machine |
Repeat shapes like tags or bows |
| Electronic Cutting |
Cricut or Silhouette |
Intricate shapes, precision work |
| Laser Cutting |
Laser machine (e.g., Glowforge) |
Detailed engraving or layering |
Adhesive Options
| Adhesive Type |
Application |
Dry Time |
Best Use |
| E6000 |
Permanent, flexible bond |
24 hrs cure |
Jewelry, heavy-duty bonds |
| Fabric Tac |
Fast-drying fabric glue |
10–15 mins |
Quick projects |
| Hot Glue |
Easy, fast bond |
Instant |
Temporary items, bows |
| Double-Sided Tape |
Alignment and layering |
Instant |
Temporary placement |
Finishing Techniques
| Technique |
Purpose |
Tools / Materials |
| Edge Painting |
Seals raw faux leather edges |
Leather edge paint + applicator |
| Top Stitching |
Adds reinforcement and design detail |
Sewing machine + heavy thread |
| Burnishing (optional) |
Smooths cut edges (rarely needed) |
Hand tool or edge slicker |
| Layering |
Adds dimension (e.g., earring backs) |
Glue, foam backing, eyelets |
| Backing with Felt |
Covers raw back, adds strength |
Felt + glue |
Machine Settings for Cricut (Blade & Material Tips)
| Faux Leather Type |
Blade |
Pressure |
Multicut |
Notes |
| Cricut Faux Leather |
Fine-point |
Default |
No |
Use Strong Grip Mat & tape edges |
| Thick Faux Leather |
Deep-point blade |
More/Custom |
Yes (2x) |
Test cuts recommended |
| Glitter Faux Leather |
Deep-point blade |
More |
Yes |
Clean blade frequently |
Project Ideas
| Project Type |
Faux Leather Used |
Tools Needed |
Notes |
| Earrings |
Glitter, textured |
Cricut, hole punch |
Use jump rings and earring hooks |
| Bookmarks |
PU, vinyl |
Craft knife or Cricut |
Add vinyl decal or stitched edge |
| Hair Bows |
Faux suede, glitter |
Die cut, hot glue |
Layered for dimension |
| Key Fobs / Tags |
Thick faux leather |
Punch, rivets |
Great for gifts and personalization |
| Bag Accents / Patches |
Any faux leather |
Iron-on or stitch |
Use HTV or embroidery for decor |
| Cord Keepers |
Stiff faux leather |
Snap setter |
Great scrap buster project |
Tips & Tricks
| Tip |
Why It Helps |
| Test cut every new material |
Prevents wasting material |
| Use painter’s tape on edges when cutting |
Keeps leather from shifting |
| Avoid excessive heat |
Faux leather can melt or warp |
| Let adhesives cure fully |
Increases durability |
| Store flat or rolled |
Prevents creasing |
FAQ
Can I sew faux leather with a regular machine?
Yes—with a heavy-duty needle, long stitch length, and walking foot (if possible).
What’s the best faux leather for earrings?
Thin PU or glitter-backed faux leather—lightweight but holds shape well.
Does faux leather fray?
No—it doesn’t fray like fabric, but raw edges can look unfinished if not sealed.
Can you iron faux leather?
Generally not directly—use a pressing cloth and low heat cautiously.