Cricut Pattern Fill and How to Upload Patterns to Cricut Design Space!

Learn all about the Cricut pattern fill function including what is pattern fill, where to find it and how to upload patterns to Cricut Design Space.

I wanted to give you another full detailed tutorial about using Cricut Design Space especially if you are a beginner.

I started making videos in my Cricut Design Space 101 tutorial series last year and keep realizing there are so many more things I need to show you that you might not be aware that you can do!

And to be honest, this is not actually a tool I use very often in the Cricut Design Space software so I’m super happy I made this tutorial to teach myself to use it again.

So today we will be talking about the Cricut pattern fill tool. We will first go over what you can use pattern fill in Cricut for, how to upload patterns to Cricut Design Space, and then I’ll show you a fun spring decor sign I made using a pattern fill printed vinyl.

What is Pattern Fill on Cricut?

A pattern fill is used to fill in any image or text that you want to print and cut with a pattern or background of your choice. It makes multiples of the same pattern to fill in the image or text.

Again, it only works with the print and cut feature which utilizes your home printer. It turns a boring color into any pattern you can find!

So instead of having to use patterned vinyl or patterned iron-on vinyl, you can use printable vinyl or sticker paper and have your printer print whatever pattern you love! It opens up even more possibilities when thinking of ideas for Cricut shirts.

Cricut Design Space has its own library of patterns that you can choose from when you are wanting to use this function.

For example, I inserted a text box and typed my name. Click off the text box and then back on it (for some reason the Fill won’t pop up unless I do this!).

Now up on the left side click on the Fill drop down menu and select print.

Now click on the color square next to the word Print. You’ll get another drop down menu. Select Pattern.

Now the Print type Pattern library will pop up. You can filter and choose a color type or scroll through and pick one.

That’s all there is to picking a Cricut pattern in Cricut Design Space! Fun, right?

How Do I Upload a Pattern to Cricut Design Space?

Now is where some more customization comes in! You can actually upload your own pattern fills to Cricut Design Space to use.

If you google pattern fills you’ll get a ton of results of different patterns or backgrounds you can download. The one thing I mentioned about pattern fills above is that depending on how big your image is the program will put in a bunch of repeating patterns.

So you might see a line in between where one pattern starts and another one ends. If you want the most seamless pattern, pick one that is pretty uniform and repetitive so they match up well.

I’ve talked about this site before, but one of my favorite places to get free images is pixabay.com. I typed pattern fills in the search bar and 145 free pattern fills came up.

To download a pattern fill, simply click on it and it will take you to a download screen. Click on Free Download and then Download again.

In Cricut Design Space, you can upload a pattern from the Upload screen. After clicking upload on the left, click on the Pattern Fill “Upload Pattern” on the right.

Click on Browse and find the pattern file on your computer and click on Open.

The uploaded pattern will come in like this. You have a few options to categorize the pattern. Leave the name the same or type in a new one. Then you can pick a theme, style, and color. I like to pick at least the Color scheme.

Then click Save. Now the uploaded pattern is in the Cricut Pattern library ready to use! So let’s use it!

I found a heart in Cricut Access and added it to my canvas.

Follow all the same steps to use the Cricut Design Space pattern fill as before.

Change the image to Print from the Fill drop down.

Then click on the color square and then on Pattern.

Find the uploaded pattern fill and click on it.

Look how cool that is! Using Cricut pattern fills are such an easy way to make an item truly unique! If you look closely you can see where the pattern repeats itself where there is a dark line about 3/4 the way down.

If you’d like to watch all these steps in action make sure to check out my full YouTube tutorial and subscribe while you’re there so you don’t miss any tutorials.

So now that you know how to use and upload a pattern fill in Cricut Design Space, let’s make a project!

Materials Needed for Polka Dot Bunny Sign

I was seeing a bunch of cute crafts made with the Dollar Tree pizza pan and bought one several months ago. It’s been sitting on my desk forever and I finally got around to using it!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links from Shareasale, Cricut, Awin, CreativeFabrica, and Amazon.com. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my links (purple text). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• printable vinyl
• basswood
• Cricut Maker and knife blade
• Cricut foil transfer kit and green foil
• cardstock, glitter cardstock, or shimmer paper
• Dollar Tree pizza pan

Designing Patterned Bunny in Cricut Design Space

For the bunny in my project, I used one of the free bunny SVG files I have on my blog here.

I inserted into Cricut Design Space, ungrouped the file, and deleted off the bunny images I didn’t want.

I didn’t want the bunny tail cut out of the basswood since I knew I would be gluing on a cotton ball. So I inserted a circle and welded the images together.

Then I changed the Fill to Print.

Click on Pattern and choose a Cricut Design Space pattern fill.

I clicked on the Filter on the lower right and selected pink colors to give me more options.

I found a cute polka dot pattern to use!

I wanted to add a saying on the back of the bunny so I decided to use some Cricut foil. Make sure to read all about the Cricut foil transfer system to get more info on how to use it.

In the images section, I filtered to Draw only and found a Spring is Here image.

Then I changed the Lineytpe to Foil and Medium.

Since I was adding printable vinyl on top of bass wood, I duplicated the bunny and changed it back to Cut Linetype.

I sized the text image, centered it over the pattern filled bunny and attached them together.

To add color to the back of the pizza pan I also inserted a 11.5 inch circle to cut out. Cricut Design Space will only print and cut images smaller than 9.25 so I sized the bunny just under that size.

Putting Together Easter Pizza Pan Decor

Now it’s time to follow all the prompts in Cricut Design Space to cut everything out.

CDS first sent the pattern fill bunny image to my printer. Make sure the bleed is on.

Then CDS prompted me to insert my foil blade and the printed bunny with a foil sheet taped on it.

Once the foiling is done, you’ll be prompted to remove the foil sheet (do not remove the mat) and swap out the foiling blade for the fine point blade.

I taped down my basswood to a strong grip mat and inserted the knife blade. You could also use chipboard or even cardstock.

Then cut the large circle.

Peel the bunny off the strong grip mat and the printable vinyl image off the paper.

Center the printable vinyl over the wood bunny and press it down well. I used my brayer to make sure!

Glue or use double sided tape to attach the cardstock to the pizza pie pan.

I wanted the bunny to stand out even more so I added double sided foam strips from the Dollar Tree to the back. Then I glued on a cotton ball for the tail.

When I first started this project I imagined covering up the edge of the pan with cotton balls or adding a big bow. I actually did both and didn’t like it! I even painted white dots on the pan.

But in the end I decided to just leave it simple!

I always love the sparkle of the foil!

If you love the Cricut foil as much as I do, make sure to check out my other tutorials on making personalized address labels, shiny printable vinyl decor, and using foil on a reverse canvas.

You could easily glue a ribbon, twine, or 3M strips on the back to hang it up. Or just place it on the mantle or bookshelf! Super quick and easy project!

If you’d like to save this tutorial on using Cricut pattern fill for later or share you can PIN It now! If you are on a desktop hover over the top left of the image below and if you are on a phone simply tap on the image and a PIN It button will pop up to click on!

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!