2/10/2025

DIY Leather Cat Keychain – Easy & Cute Handmade Gift!

DIY projects are a fun and creative way to make something unique while adding a personal touch to your everyday accessories. If you've ever wanted to try leather crafting, a leather keychain is the perfect beginner-friendly project!

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to make an adorable leather cat keychain—a must-have for cat lovers or a thoughtful handmade gift. You’ll learn the basics of working with leather, a material that not only looks stylish but also gets better with time.

Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned crafter, this easy DIY will walk you through every step so you can create a cute, durable, and totally personalized leather keychain. Let’s get started!

Materials & Tools You’ll Need

Before we start, let’s go over the materials and why they’re essential for this project.

Main Supplies:

✔️ Leather Scrap – The star of the show! Choose a soft, flexible piece of real or faux leather for easy cutting and durability.

✔️ Scissors – A sharp pair will help you cut clean shapes without fraying the edges.

✔️ Pattern – You’ll need a printed cat-shaped template to trace onto the leather.

✔️ Pen – A fine-tip marker or gel pen works best to transfer the design onto leather.

Optional Supplies for Decoration & Finishing:

✔️ Acrylic Paint – Adds a fun, colorful touch! Great for painting the cat’s eyes, ears, or smile.

✔️ Brush – Used for applying paint or edge-finishing mixture (see below).

✔️ PVA Glue – Essential for reinforcing the leather in Option 2 and for creating smooth edges.

✔️ Keyring or Chain – To turn your cute leather cat into a functional keychain or bag charm.

FREE PATTERN

Step 1: Print & Cut the Pattern

Start by printing and cutting out your cat template. If you don’t have one, sketch a simple cat shape on paper. Keep it medium-sized—too small, and threading the tail will be tricky!

Step 2: Trace the Pattern onto Leather

✔️ Flip your leather to the wrong side (the rougher side).

✔️ Place your cut-out paper pattern on top and trace it using a pen.

✔️ Also, transfer any markings, such as the slits in the middle where the tail will be threaded.

Step 3: Cut Out the Leather Shape

✔️ Use sharp scissors to carefully cut around the traced outline.

✔️ Cut inside the marked slits in the middle—this is where we’ll thread the cat’s tail.

Now you have your basic leather cat shape ready! 🎉

Option 1: Simple Threaded Tail Keychain

This is the easiest version of the keychain—just a few simple steps and it’s done!

✔️ Thread the cat's tail through the slits you cut earlier.

✔️ Attach a keyring to the tail loop or through the cat’s head.

✔️ Done! Your first version of the keychain is ready to use.

Option 2: Reinforced Leather Keychain

Want a sturdier version? Follow these extra steps:

✔️ Apply PVA glue to the backside of the leather cat.

✔️ Press the glued side onto another piece of leather (wrong sides together).

✔️ Let it dry completely—this step ensures a thicker, more durable keychain.

✔️ Once dry, cut out the cat shape again, following the original outline.

✔️ Don’t forget to cut the slits in the middle for the tail.

✔️ Thread the tail through the slits as before, and attach your keyring.

Now you have a double-layered, sturdy leather cat keychain!

How to Edge-Finish Leather for a Professional Look

Want to give your keychain smooth, polished edges? Try this simple DIY edge-finishing technique!

Edge-Finishing Mixture Recipe:

✔️ 1 teaspoon of PVA glue
✔️ 1 teaspoon of acrylic paint (choose a color that matches or contrasts your leather)

Steps to Finish the Edges:

1️⃣ Mix the glue and paint thoroughly.
2️⃣ Using a brush, apply a thin layer to the raw edges of your keychain.

3️⃣ Let it dry completely.

4️⃣ Repeat if needed for a smooth, professional finish.

Optional: Add Details for Extra Cuteness!

Want to personalize your cat even more? Try these fun ideas:

✔️ Use acrylic paint to add eyes, whiskers, or a cute smile.
✔️ Experiment with different leather colors—try brown, black, or even metallic leather for a unique look!

✔️ Attach your keychain to a purse or backpack for a trendy leather charm.

Show Off Your Handmade Keychain!

And that’s it! You’ve just made your very own leather cat keychain—either as a simple threaded version or a reinforced double-layer keychain. Not only did you craft a stylish and functional accessory, but you also learned some valuable leatherworking techniques along the way.

So, go ahead—clip it to your keys, backpack, or purse, or gift it to a fellow cat lover! 🐱✨

If you loved this DIY project, don’t forget to share your creations and let me know in the comments! Happy crafting! 🎨🔑