Have you been wondered “is a Cricut Maker worth it?” Let’s find out!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all min
Have you wanted to make your own home decor, create personalized and unique gifts, sew a quilt and doll clothes, or start a handmade business??? Maybe you’ve seen those electronic cutting machines all over Pinterest and wondered if they are really worth it.
Today we are tackling that question!
If you have been following me for a while, then you know I LOVE my Cricut! The majority of my posts are on projects where I have used my Cricut in one way or another.
I have had three Cricut cutting machines over the past decade. I started with the Cricut Expression that used cartridges. Then I upgraded to the Cricut Explore and a few years ago I wrote a post on why I love the Cricut Explore so much.
Since then Cricut sent me a Cricut Maker, so I thought I’d share my experiences with the newest machine and all that it can do!
Cricut Maker Unboxing
I made a video of when I unboxed the Cricut Maker. I will go over in detail all that comes in the box and show you some projects that I have already made with it. Make sure to check it out below or at the top of the post (sometimes it appears in weird places!)
What Can the Cricut Maker Cut?
Now that’s it out of the box and looking so pretty on your table, what can you actually do with it? The simple answer… A LOT! Cricut has done a lot of work and has made the newest machine more powerful and more adaptable to your crafting needs.
One of the biggest improvements Cricut has made is the suite of tools and what they can cut. They have multiple powerful blades, a new scoring tool, and pens that opens up a whole new world of crafting.
Cricut Maker Blades
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links from Cricut.com. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my links (purple text).
The following is the info about the three blades offered with the Cricut Maker now. After each blade, I have a few Cricut maker project ideas to get you started!
Update: Cricut has released 4 more blades and tips! Make sure to check out my Cricut blades post to learn all about them!
Cricut Rotary Blade Uses
Out of the box, the Cricut Maker comes with a rotary blade that can cut almost any fabric without the need for a backing (which was needed with the Cricut Explore). 
Within Cricut Design Space, you’ll see all the fabric that is listed that already have preset cut settings in the dropdown down material menu. Take a look at all of them:
Fabric
Bamboo Fabric, Bengaline, Boucle, Broadcloth, Burlap, Burn-Out Velvet, Calico, Cambric, Canvas, Cashmere, Challis, Chambray, Chantilly Lace, Charmeuse Satin, Chiffon, Chintz, Corduroy, Cotton, Cotton, Bonded, Crepe Charmeuse, Crepe de Chine, Crepe-back Satin, Damask, Delicate Fabrics (like Tulle), Delicate Fabrics (like Tulle), Bonded, Denim, Denim, Bonded, Dotted Swiss, Double Cloth, Double Knit, Duck Cloth, Dupioni Silk, Extra Heavy Fabrics (like Burlap), Eyelet, Faille, Faux Fur, Faux Suede, Felt, Flannel, Fleece, Flex Foam, Foulard, Fusible Fabric, Fusible Fleece, Fusible Interfacing, Gabardine, Gauze, Georgette, Gossamer, Grois Point, Grosgrain, Habutai, Heather, Heavy Fabrics (like Denim), Heavy Fabrics (like Denim), Bonded, Homespun Fabric, Insulbrite Batting, Interlock Knit, Jacquard, Jersey, Jute, Khaki, La Coste, Lame, Light Cotton, Light Cotton, 2 Layers, Light Cotton, 3 Layers, Light Fabrics (like Silk), Light Fabrics (like Silk), Bonded, Linen, Linen, Bonded, Lycra….. Ziberline
Holy moly!! That’s a lot and I left out about 50 other ones between Lycra and Ziberline. Honestly, I don’t even know what the majority of these materials are but it makes everything so much easier if I just have to look up the name in the drop-down menu.
I have cut burlap, flannel, canvas, cotton, and felt so far and they all cut perfectly! (If you’d like to learn how to make these projects, click on the image to check out the tutorials!)
DIY Pencil Case made with Cricut Maker rotary blade.
DIY Buffalo Plaid stockings. Cut burlap and plaid flannel with the rotary blade.
DIY felt poinsettias cutting all the felt with a rotary blade. It cuts felt so much better than with the standard blade!
Along with the rotary blade, you get access to 25 digital sewing patterns in Cricut Design Space so you can get started with Cricut Maker projects without really knowing how to design anything. If you need help getting started in Cricut Design Space, make sure to check out my Design Space 101 video tutorial series.
I whipped out a few of the free Cricut Maker projects quickly when I had some last-minute gifts to make. You can find this cute zipper pouch in Cricut Access.
Cricut Knife Blade
The knife blade is a game-changer with the new Cricut Maker. It is an extra-deep blade that can slice through materials up to 2.4mm (3/32″) thick. The blade looks and acts like an X-ACTO knife.
This can cut through materials such as chipboard, balsa wood, basswood, and cardboard.
The knife blade takes anywhere from 5-30 passes through a given material to achieve the full cut. So, this process can take a while, up to 30 minutes sometimes. But the nice part is, all I have to do is push the “go” button and leave it. I can get a bunch of other stuff done while it cuts.
I had fun making this large wall art for our game room out of chipboard letters. It’s huge and cost me under $10 to make!
I also used chipboard to make a puzzle with a picture.
I just cut my first piece of basswood and I am so impressed! Such an easy way to monogram or personalize wreaths, signs, or home decor.
Choose Joy cut out of basswood using the Cricut knife blade and felt flowers cut out using the rotary blade.
Cricut Scoring Wheel and Double Scoring Wheel
The Cricut Explore has a scoring blade, but the Cricut Maker’s scoring wheel is such a huge improvement. This scoring tool produces razor-sharp and extra-deep score lines in thicker and more materials. This prevents cracking which was a problem with the original scoring tool.
Cricut Design Space is such great software and prompts you on whichever blade it needs. There are two scoring wheels depending on what kind of cut it is going to make – 01 and 02. You will be told which one it needs. Simply press down on the little button on top of the scoring tool to release the current wheel and pop on the other one. (I go over all this in the video too!)
This was one of the tools I was most excited to try! It scored effortlessly and the projects were so easy to put together. I am hooked on making cute little boxes and cards now! (These projects are also free in Cricut Access)
What Else Can the Cricut Maker Cut??
Is your head spinning yet?? I know mine is! I went through the entire drop-down menu and here are a bunch more materials that the Cricut Maker can cut using one of the tools. It’s a huge list… You can also find each tutorial on what was made by clicking on the pictures.
Art Board
Cereal Box
Corrugated Cardboard
Damask Chipboard
Flat Cardboard
Foil Poster Board
Heavy Chipboard – 2.0 mm
Kraft Board
Light Chipboard – 0.37 mm
Matboard
Metallic Poster Board
Poster Board
Cardstock
Cardstock (for intricate cuts
Cardstock, Adhesive-Backed
Glitter Cardstock
Holographic Cardstock
Light Cardstock – 60 lb (163 gsm)
Medium Cardstock – 80 lb (216 gsm)
Patterned Glitter Cardstock
Using the Draw and Cut feature with cardstock.
Iron-On
Socks made with iron-on vinyl.
Leather
Garment Leather (1.6 mm)
Tooling Leather (1.6 mm)
Faux Leather (Paper Thin)
Faux Suede
Genuine Leather
Metallic Leather
Shimmer Leather – 1 mm
DIY earrings using faux leather and patterned iron-on.
Paper
Plastic
Acetate
Cutting Mat Protector
Foil Acetate
Gel Sheet
Plastic Canvas
Plastic Packaging
Stencil Film – 0.4 mm
Transparency
Vinyl
Adhesive vinyl can be applied to almost anything!
Wood
Balsa – 1/16″ (1.6 mm)
Other
Adhesive Sheet, Double-Sided
Carbon Fiber
Colored Duct Tape
Duct Tape Sheet
Need More Information on the Cricut Maker??
Are you thinking about taking the plunge, but need a little bit more info on the Cricut Maker? Make sure to check out Cricut.com, my ultimate guide of Cricut Ideas, and what accessories you need when getting started with a Cricut Maker.
I’d love to hear what you’ve made with your Cricut Maker!
Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a creative day!
Jennifer
Tuesday 29th of October 2019
I nust purchased a circuit aire2 now I dont know what package bundle to purchase on amazon any recommendation for a first time beginner...please send me link
Leap of Faith Crafting
Monday 4th of November 2019
That's actually a tough one! What do you think you want to start with? I'd grab some vinyl and cardstock to start with! Congrats and have fun!
Angela Carson
Wednesday 27th of February 2019
Thanks! for listing down the list of amazing crafts, we can make using Cricut machine. It is definitely a good source of earning.
Leap of Faith Crafting
Thursday 28th of February 2019
Hi Angela! Yes, it is! Such an amazing machine!
Ellen
Thursday 14th of February 2019
For a neophyte, could you give an extremely basic intro? Maybe you have and I missed it, so possible on my end... Your videos and posts show amazing art. It would be great to have an introduction on how to start when you have zero crafting/art background but want to learn , and might be intimidated....ellen