How to Cut Felt With the Cricut Machine
The Cricut machine can be used to cut more than just paper --- you can also use it to cut out felt images. The Cricut machine, manufactured by Provo Craft, is a personal cutting machine. Using the variety of cartridges available for use with the Cricut machine, you can cut almost any image or saying out of felt. The thickness of the felt requires some extra steps before you can cut on the Cricut. Once the felt is cut, you can adhere it to other fabric or use it to make felt toys.
Things You'll Need
- Scissors
- Felt
- Iron-on transfer paper
- Iron
- Cricut cutting mat
- Painter's tape
- Cricut deep-cut blade
- Cricut cartridge
Instructions
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1
Cut the felt to the size of the cutting mat that came with your Cricut. Depending on the model you have, the cutting mat may be 6 inches by 12 inches, 12 inches square or 12 inches by 24 inches.
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2
Cut a piece of iron-on transfer paper the size of the felt piece. Remove one side of the backing from the iron-on paper. Place the iron-on paper backing side up on the back side of the felt.
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3
Iron on the transfer paper according to the manufacturer's directions.
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4
Remove the protective cover from the Cricut cutting mat. For the best performance, use a new cutting mat as opposed to a mat that is not as "tacky." You can purchase new Cricut cutting mats at most craft stores or from Provo Craft's website.
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5
Align the felt, backing side down, with the "Align Here" icon on the cutting mat. Apply painter's tape over the edges of the felt where the cutting mat is exposed. This will help the felt stick to the mat better.
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6
Install the deep-cut blade into the blade housing in the Cricut machine. To do this, unscrew the knob on the housing and remove the blue cutting blade. Insert the deep-cut blade into the housing and screw the knob until it is tight. The deep-cut blade is available at most craft stores and are also sold online through Provo Craft.
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7
Load the cartridge into the Cricut machine with the label facing out.
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8
Turn the Cricut machine on.
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9
Align the cutting mat with the rollers on the front of the machine. Press the "Load Paper" button.
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10
Turn the dial on the deep-cut blade to "6." Adjust the pressure dial on the bottom right of the machine to "5." Adjust the speed dial located above the pressure dial to "2."
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11
Place the keyboard overlay that was included with your cartridge over the keyboard keys at the top of the machine.
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12
Press the button corresponding to the image, letter or saying you want to cut. Choose the size of your image by adjusting the size dial located at the bottom left of the machine.
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13
Press the "Multi-Cut" button twice, telling the machine to go over the image two times.
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14
Press the "Cut" button. After the machine has finished cutting, press the "Unload Paper" button.
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15
Carefully remove your felt pieces from the cutting mat. Depending on the size and intricate nature of your cuts, you may need to use scissors to clean up the edges of the image.
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