How to Cut Leather with a Cricut

[@davidkanejazz7019]

Genuinely helpful without any unnecessary verbiage--thank you!

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@michaelcrabtree4221]

I am a leatherworker. My wife wanted the Cricut maker, so I bought one for her as a gift. Until she asked for it, I had never even heard of it, let alone used one. She and our adult daughter both have one and use them to make all sorts of very interesting and lovely things. It's a really interesting and useful tool for art, but as for any sort of serious leatherworking, I personally think this is something of a hard pass. Perhaps on some extremely lighter leathers, such as 1-2 oz kid skins or such it might have some limited applications, but I can't see this being useful enough to warrant having one specifically for leather work. Overall, this was a very good video. Thank you for sharing this.

[@AngieHolden]

I would definitely agree. It is more of a hobby machine.

[@mikeycrabtree123]

@@AngieHolden I can see it being extremely beneficial in graphic arts.

[@WilliamLeeSims]

I love it when you make these "Let's Experiment" kind of videos. You literally save me hours of time, save me material, and save my sanity trying to find the best way to cut less common materials. Thanks a ton for these great leather tips!

[@AngieHolden]

I actually LOVE making these so it works for both of us!

[@serenedesign]

Your vids are so informative. You are sawing so many people so much time and material. You kick ass lady! Also you have probably saved me several hundred dollars. Thanks! Keep up the good work. 😊

[@stevenreynolds2580]

tried some craft leather on my maker I used transfer tape on it ( strong one) got good result it cut fine with deep cut blade, hope this helps.

[@anniewilliams114]

I like it when you compare different types of material. Thanks

[@LorraineCastellon-Rowe]

Excellent information!!! Thank you for sharing the details of cutting both leathers!! Have a great day Angie!! ❣💐🐰🐇💐❣

[@shaunhayward]

This is a great video with great information. We're considering getting a Cricut and leather is one of the reasons. You video is very helpful. I suspect that the Cricut-brand leather is veg tan, which is stiffer and the suede side is tighter, whereas what you obtained from the craft store might have been chrome tan, which is much more "floppy" and the suede side is more "hairy", if that makes sense. I theory, I would think most 3oz/1mm veg tan leathers would work just the same as the Cricut-brand leather. Milled veg-tan leather is softer - somewhere between regular veg-tan and chrome tan. I'm not sure how it would hold up.

[@AngieHolden]

I would definitely say you are right.

[@ymm424]

It was very helpful to see your comparisons of machines, leathers, and blades. Thank you.

[@AngieHolden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tessaszpek4630]

Love this video, it was so helpful! Thanks!

[@AngieHolden]

You're so welcome!

[@deblaraby2842]

this video help so much

[@ssharp11]

Outstanding video. Thank you. Wishing you a super week. Hugs Susan

[@AlmamommieScott]

thanks good information

[@tbird2434]

Very Helpful...THANK YOU!

[@AngieHolden]

You're welcome!

[@whoizdjtopcatanywae_9-9]

Much appreciated

[@travellingpedals4671]

Thanks girl, you are great! Exactly what I was looking for. i need to cut genuine leather (not cricut) and you answered fast all my questions. Just one I still have: the setting would be genuine leather or garment? My leather is about 1,6 mm and i guess i need 2 passes… which setting should I use??

[@AngieHolden]

Probably genuine leather by that description but you may need to play with it some.

[@johnnylesley5450]

I appreciate your video, I do leather work and have had requests from my neace to make her some earrings with leather. Thinking I may dabble in the jewlery side for her. Genuine is the split under the top grain. The leather you used also looked like chrome tanned leather which is very soft. The thing I kind of wonder is how it will cut full grain veg tan leather. You would have to cover the flesh side with shipping tape and put that side down and smooth side up. Once leather is stuck down wet the surface slightly and it should cut very well.

[@AngieHolden]

I think it will still work to cut it. I have cut tooling leather as well with the Maker.

[@llawmd]

What knife blade do you use to cut the tooling veg-tan leather?@@AngieHolden

[@rmm9110]

I like your comparisons and enjoy your videos. I was wondering if you have tried using strong grip transfer tape on the back of the leather then applying it to your mat?

[@AngieHolden]

I have! I do that occasionally and it works pretty well.

[@JennyMundell]

Do you have any suggestions for cutting Faux Leather with the rotary blade, like what setting would I use?

[@AngieHolden]

Sure! Try a medium weight fabric setting!

[@supermario7956]

New subscriber....my hobby is leather crafting 🥰

[@AngieHolden]

Thanks for subbing!

[@supermario7956]

Angie Holden anything for leather crafters or diy crafting I do my best to support 😎

[@PatiPerez]

On a budget if you only wanted to cut leather let’s say to start making earring, which machine would you recommend buying?

[@AngieHolden]

If you want to cut real leather, I would get the Maker. If faux leather is okay with you, the Explore Air 2.

[@PatiPerez]

@@AngieHolden thank you!!

[@tiffanythiel1187]

so, are you letting the cricut think you're using the blade it tells you to use while using the knife blade instead or are you setting the setting to something that tells you to use the knife blade?

[@AngieHolden]

Totally not sure what you are asking. The Maker you have to add the blade it asks for. You can click "edit tools" and change to a different tool before cutting though.

[@dawnnf9160]

Have you tried using biothane at all? Cutting and debossing?

[@AngieHolden]

No I have not.

[@atelierloulou6551]

Thanks for the video! Does the blade get dull quickly when cutting leather?

[@AngieHolden]

No! Not at all!

[@knockedin1]

Would you rec for Explorer doing 2 passes on the hobby lobby leather?

[@AngieHolden]

Sorry not sure. Depends on the leather you have. Maybe do a small test cut.

[@marcsenteney3160]

Will the Maker cut heavier leather? Like 8-9 oz.? And what cutter should be used?

[@AngieHolden]

It will cut tooling leather and I would say that would be around that weight. I would use the tooling leather setting with the Maker and the knife blade to cut that.

[@Theredheadguru]

If you have the cricut maker would you recommend the knife blade over the deep point blade? Or should I get both blades?

[@AngieHolden]

I like the knife blade way better.

[@Theredheadguru]

Angie Holden great! I just ordered the knife blade :)

[@AngieHolden]

You will love it!

[@sfkid57]

I have working with leather for a while now, There is vegetable tanned leather and Chrome tanned leather, There is also different qualities of leather the piece you tried to cut was not a very good quality leather. I saw another video of a woman who used shelving and he saw of to put down to hold the leather on the mats.

[@gotwardrobe]

Can you explain about the adhesive? I would be hesitant to put the leather face down on this as I would be afraid it would damage my leather by adhering to it.

[@AngieHolden]

The mats have an adhesive but it doesn't harm anything. Putting the other side down will ruin your mat VERY quickly.

[@laryssagobets4173]

Your videos are go good and help me understand so much about the Cricut. I did try to cut the Cricut metallic leather with the knife blade on the maker and it said it needed the deep cut blade but would not let me change tools do you have any idea why?

[@AngieHolden]

So weird! I would just pick another type of leather than and change the tool.

[@jamminInTheHood998]

Can you use a knife blade to cut genuine thick leather on a Cricut Explore Air?

[@AngieHolden]

No the knife blade only works with the Maker.

[@marne9212]

Hello, I would like to know if did you used the Cricut explore air or explore 2 . I want to know because I have the explore air thanks for class

[@AngieHolden]

I used the explore air 2. It should be the same for this purpose, however.

[@petermazza8656]

hi Angie, what is the best way to cut wool, wool blend with either polyester or rayon? the wool will be from fabric store and not the Cricut wool. I am trying to make letters to sew on to sweaters and banners and want to use better quality wool than the really thin and "cheap feel" version. I am on the fence about purchasing a cricut maker. I use a laser cutter but the edges get burnt as to be expected. Thank you for your guidance!

[@AngieHolden]

I have used my Maker and rotary blade for something similar. The edges are definitely not perfect as with a laser cutter. They will be slightly fuzzy.

[@petermazza8656]

@@AngieHolden thank you for prompt response!

[@TheDeb0047]

Any suggestions for lamb skin leather, I bought an old jacket to recycle.

[@AngieHolden]

I would try cutting it with the rotary blade I think.

[@emmalibs0510]

Sorry I couldn't understand what you were saying when you said to trick the rotary blade with a heavy ?? keep missing that word

[@AngieHolden]

Heavy fabric setting.

[@kimpinnex6256]

Was the leather from hobby lobby the thicker leather you buy in the scrap bag

[@AngieHolden]

Yes it was!

[@fashionLafied]

I recently tried cutting my leather with my maker and I had calibrated it right before my cut and my Cricut started cutting my pattern pieces overlap. it was not set up this way in design space. do you know why it would do this or how to prevent this from happening?

[@AngieHolden]

Was it moving? Leather has a tendency to move on the mat and then it does all sorts of crazy things. Also did you move your star wheels over? They might have been creating a drag which messes up the placement.

[@fashionLafied]

It was not moving. I had sides taped down. And the wheels were off to the side

[@AngieHolden]

Hmmm. I would try cutting the same project out of some paper to see if it happens when you cut paper. That would narrow it down to your machine/project or an issue just with leather.

[@fashionLafied]

I cut another project in vinyl yesterday no problem. I’m going to try the same project in a different leather. Thanks!

[@AngieHolden]

It has to be something with the leather then. What size is the leather sheet? Try cutting it down to just 11 inches wide so there is no drag on the white rollers that run off to the side now.

[@jeremywatterson9594]

Will it cut thicker leather?

[@AngieHolden]

The Maker will go thicker.

[@jamminInTheHood998]

Can I emboss / engrave leather with my cricut explore air?

[@AngieHolden]

No. The Explore will not do this.

[@cindyross4110]

I used the scoring pen to emboss some thin tooling leather. Maybe not recommended but worked great.

[@rhondabirchfield1558]

Can you cut the leather from the dollar tree to

[@AngieHolden]

I have not but I am sure it works the same.

[@rhondabirchfield1558]

Ok, thanks

[@michellee8913]

Maybe if leather was nice side up it would cut better on sraps it would stick better

[@AngieHolden]

It will ruin your mat if it is good side up. You can do a few tricks but they are hit or miss or whether they work or not.

[@freshpootube]

So the cheaper machine seems to cut better than the more expensive one.

[@AngieHolden]

The opposite actually. Maker cuts leather better.

[@Meadowwing]

Custom shapes possible???

[@geenaholdcraft1671]

When you enter the material you can adjust the pressure, I cut leather with more pressure and it still didn’t cut all the way through :(

[@AngieHolden]

There are different settings for different types of leather.

[@princehayford47]

Please can this machine cut straight line

[@AngieHolden]

Yes.

[@princehayford47]

@@AngieHolden please can I use this machine for shoemaker work

[@AngieHolden]

I am not sure. Sorry.

[@princehayford47]

@@AngieHolden ok thanks

[@judytomblin3594]

You need an extra strong mat!

[@AngieHolden]

Pretty much!

[@Artofeverything14]

My leather just keeps moving and ruining the cuts.

[@AngieHolden]

It is not down on the mat well. Use a purple mat and press it down really well. If the mat is old, you may need a new one.

[@stephenwhitton4902]

Two different types of leather so hardly a fair comparison.