If crafting is your passion, it’s almost a guarantee that you’ve come across the Cricut Maker. A computer-controlled machine for cutting and detailing, it’s notable for its incredible capability to slice through a multitude of materials ranging from wood to leather and vinyl, allowing users to create a wide range of projects. Some are practical, like useful bathroom items or a decorative T-shirt, and some are just for fun, like an adorable wall hanging to jazz up your room.
The Cricut Maker comes with a set of tools that you’ll need to get started and is compatible with the Cricut Design Space software, which you’ll use to design customized items or download pre-made designs from the library. If you like, there’s also a paid subscription possibility for Cricut Access that gives additional pre-made designs and images (ideal for those who spend a lot of time with their Cricut Maker).
We’ve rounded up a nice variety of Cricut Maker projects to suit users of varying levels, from total Cricut newbies to those who have been using the Maker for years now. Note that some of the projects do have a small fee if you want to download the specific file or design, and some may require the Cricut EasyPress.
Considerations
There are a lot of Cricut projects out there. Here are some things we kept in mind in order to narrow down to our selections:
- Replicable: All the projects here can be replicated at home if you follow the maker’s careful instructions and use the materials listed.
- Clearly explained: Each tutorial or guide has written instructions that are easy to follow along with, accompanied by illustrative photos, and sometimes also a video for additional assistance.
- Customizable: Virtually every project on the list has the potential for customization factors, whether it’s a different text or font, varied colors, or a new image.
Now, let’s get cutting!
Doll Clothes
Delve into your inner child and make adorable 18″ doll clothes with a Cricut Maker and a Cricut rotary blade. Using simple downloadable patterns, they should fit most standard 18″ inch dolls. You’ll need to pay per pattern, but they’re inexpensive.
This is an ideal project for combining both Cricut and sewing techniques together. It can even be done by teens with some adult assistance. Popular crafting blogger Lindsay of Artsy-Fartsy Mama walks you through each step of the way, simplifying the process of fabric and vinyl cutting for your patterns.
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- What you’ll need: Cricut Maker, Cricut EasyPress and applicator, rotary blade, fabrics, vinyl, sewing kit
- Cost: Usually $2-$5 per pattern
- Where to find it: Artsy-Fartsy Mama
Key Fobs
If you’re looking for something that is simple, practical, and interesting, these fun faux leather key fobs are an easily customizable and fairly straightforward project to make. Suitable for nearly all levels of Cricut Maker users, you can use whatever faux leather patterns catch your fancy.
The creator, Lydi from the blog Lydi Out Loud, provides thorough step-by-step instructions with photos to illustrate the process. Your Cricut Maker allows you to custom design the piece with monograms, colors, and patterns of your choice. You can also add vinyl and detailing!
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- What you’ll need: Cricut Maker, key fob templates, faux leather, rivets, keyrings
- Cost: Free with Cricut Design Space software
- Where to find it: Lydi Out Loud
Felt Coasters
For a lovely gift or just for your own living space, simple felt sachet coasters put together with your Cricut Maker are both practical and fun. You can even add a mild lavender or rose scent to make a room pop – especially ideal for the holidays.
There’s no actual sewing required, just ironing, so it’s a fairly simple project for most makers who are new to working with fabric or don’t feel confident about their sewing skills. Blogger Jennifer Maker has provided easy step-by-step photo instructions with a free design download for the project.
If you enjoy this activity, you may want to look into some of her other Cricut Maker projects and YouTube tutorials.
- Difficulty: Beginner
- What you’ll need: Cricut Maker, felt, dried herbs, fusible web, iron
- Cost: Free design from maker’s resource library
- Where to find it: JenniferMaker
Coffee Mug
One of the most popular Cricut Maker activities is to make a custom coffee mug for you or a friend. With this relatively simple Cricut project, you’ll be ready to customize your caffeine delivery system in no time!
This Instructables tutorial features a helpful YouTube video and comprehensive directions with photos. While it’s meant for users with some Cricut Maker experience, it’s definitely not just for experts and could be a good way to expand your knowledge of working with vinyl. Note that while this creates a mug, users do not need to own the Cricut Mug Press.
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- What you’ll need: Cricut Maker, mug, vinyl, tape, scissors
- Cost: Free with Cricut Design software, or you can purchase designs on platforms like Etsy
- Where to find it: Instructables
Fall Wood Earrings
If you’re ready to delve into some wood crafting with your Cricut Maker, wooden jewelry is a great way to start. Both pretty and functional, these charming fall-themed leaf earrings made of wood make an excellent choice for somewhat experienced Cricut crafters.
The earrings are a pretty time-intensive project, but creator SunV Designs walks you through each step of the way in this free, well-made YouTube tutorial. The creator also has her own Etsy shop, if you want to purchase some of her ready-made projects, some of which were also made with the help of a Cricut Maker.
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- What you’ll need: Cricut Maker, wood, foil, jump rings, glaze
- Cost: Tutorial is free
- Where to find it: YouTube
Monogrammed Magnetic Memo Board
Here’s an ideal project to help keep your household organized: a monogrammed magnetic memo board (try saying that ten times fast!). With your handy Cricut Maker, you’ll cut through vinyl, fabric, or whatever materials inspired you. Since you can use it for attaching memos, lists, and mementos, it can hold any number of household reminders or important papers.
The project is very customizable in terms of colors, fonts, and patterns, so it could make a nice gift for someone in your life. Blogger Miss Jen of IHeart Organizing has done a nice job outlining the steps you’ll need to take and all materials required. Note that there’s a fair amount of assembly and tool work, so it’s a project better suited for more experienced makers.
- Difficulty: Advanced
- What you’ll need: Cricut Maker, paints, vinyl, wires, sheet metal, various tools
- Cost: Free with designing your own Cricut files, or you can opt to download Cricut designs on sites like Etsy
- Where to find it: IHeart Organizing
Kitchen Labels
If you’re on the hunt for a simple, useful, and fun project that could even be done by older kids or teens (with some assistance), these Cricut Maker kitchen labels are an excellent choice. Although they’re intended for kitchen labels, you can theoretically use them for other sorts of stickers or labeling purposes too.
These labels primarily use the “print and cut” feature on Cricut Maker and are made with sticker sheets or vinyl paper. The creator, blogger Sarah Christie, offers additional tips to help you perfect your label project and has a plethora of other Cricut Maker projects on her blog, Extraordinary Chaos.
- Difficulty: Beginner
- What you’ll need: Cricut Maker, sticker sheets or vinyl paper
- Cost: Free PDF to download, or create your own with software
- Where to find it: Extraordinary Chaos
Infusible Ink Tote Bag
Allowing Cricut users to heat-infuse a design directly into fabric, Infusible Ink is an exciting invention for those looking to do some fabric crafts. We’ve found a great project to test out Infusible Ink, which definitely can make the process of transfers more simplified when you’re decorating anything from clothing to household accessories.
Providing clear instructions on how to go through each step, this project by Jane and Sonja of the blog Sustain My Craft Habit is well documented with lots of photos and even a YouTube tutorial. Also included is how to make coasters using Infusible Ink, if you want to try those, too!
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- What you’ll need: Cricut Maker, Infusible Ink and accessories, tote bag, EasyPress
- Cost: Free download for the transfer
- Where to find it: Sustain My Craft Habit
Layered Cardstock Lion Mandala
For an artistic and perfect special gift for someone in your life, look no further than this creatively layered cardstock lion mandala project. Created by seasoned crafter Paul of scissorspaperpaul, you’ll be walked through all the materials you need and the steps to create this unusual mandala.
Involving elements like cutting, layering, and gluing in a detailed manner, it’s an optimal project for those looking to hone their craft chops on something a bit more complex. It’s sure to impress whoever is lucky enough to receive it!
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- What you’ll need: Cricut Maker, cardstock, glue, crafting supplies
- Cost: Free with tutorial
- Where to find it: YouTube
Custom Garden Sign
If you’ve got a garden that you’re looking to jazz up, this project from Vanessa Barker will allow you to create a fun sign for your garden (or anywhere you might want around the house) with customizable wording. As this particular craft combines woodwork and painting skills with Cricut Maker vinyl cutting, it’s an excellent choice for those who like to do multiple techniques in one project.
Instructions and guidelines are very thorough and there are lots of photos to keep you informed as you go along. Still, this garden sign craft is best suited for somewhat experienced crafters, as it does require a bit of knowledge regarding tools and woodworking.
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- What you’ll need: Cricut Maker, wood, paint, vinyl, various tools
- Cost: Free template
- Where to find it: Our Thrifty Ideas
Lead image source: Frischgeschnitten
License: The text of "Cricut Maker Projects: 10 Ideas to Craft with Your Machine" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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