How to Cut Felt with Cricut Explore
Felt is a versatile and popular material for crafting, thanks to its soft texture and vibrant colors. Crafting with felt is a fun and creative way to make unique decorations, accessories, and gifts. If you’re a fan of Cricut Explore, the cutting machine that makes crafting easy and enjoyable, you might be wondering how to cut felt with it. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of cutting felt with your Cricut Explore, ensuring that your crafting projects turn out beautifully.
Step 1: Prepare Your Materials
Before you start cutting felt with your Cricut Explore, gather all the necessary materials. You’ll need:
– A Cricut Explore cutting machine
– Cricut cutting mat
– Felt material in the desired colors and patterns
– Cricut Design Space software or app
– Scissors
– Adhesive or glue
Step 2: Install the Felt Material
Place your felt on the cutting mat, ensuring that it is positioned correctly. For best results, lay the felt on the mat with the grain running parallel to the edge of the mat. This will help prevent the felt from stretching or fraying during the cutting process.
Step 3: Load the Cutting Mat
Insert the cutting mat into the Cricut Explore, making sure it is securely in place. Press the “Load” button on the machine to load the mat.
Step 4: Open Cricut Design Space
Connect your Cricut Explore to your computer or mobile device and open the Cricut Design Space software or app. If you’re using the app, ensure that it is updated to the latest version.
Step 5: Select a Design
In the Cricut Design Space, search for felt-friendly designs or upload your own. Felt is best suited for simple shapes and patterns, so choose a design that will work well with the material.
Step 6: Adjust the Cutting Settings
Select your felt material from the list of materials in the Design Space. For felt, you’ll typically use the “Felt” or “Felt Fabric” setting. Adjust the cutting settings, such as the blade depth and pressure, according to your Cricut Explore’s manual and the thickness of your felt.
Step 7: Cut the Felt
Press the “Make It” button in the Design Space to send the cutting instructions to your Cricut Explore. The machine will start cutting the felt according to the selected design. Once the cutting is complete, remove the felt from the mat and use scissors to trim any excess material.
Step 8: Assemble Your Project
Now that you have your cut-out felt pieces, it’s time to assemble your project. Use adhesive or glue to attach the felt pieces to your desired surface, such as a canvas, cardstock, or clothing.
Conclusion
Cutting felt with your Cricut Explore is a simple and enjoyable process that allows you to create beautiful and personalized crafts. By following these steps, you’ll be able to make the most of your Cricut Explore and add a touch of felt to your crafting projects. Happy crafting!
