How to Cut Fabric with Cricut
This is a question I get all the time! I cut fabric with my Cricut each and every week (almost daily) and so I have learned a few tips and trips for how to cut fabric with Cricut. Today I am sharing them all with you. If you are on the fence about getting a machine or not sure which machine will meet your fabric cutting needs then read on. I have everything you need to know about cutting fabric with your Cricut cutting machine.
How to Cut Fabric with Cricut
Can Cricut cut fabric?
Yes! There are several great options for cutting fabric with the Cricut. The Cricut Explore Air 2 and the Cricut Maker are the machines that I have and use, so I will chat about each of these machines in this post.
I have not used the earlier explore machines but if they accept the bonded fabric blade and the fabric grip mat (linked below) I don’t see any reason why they would not work exactly the same as the Explore Air 2.
What Cricut cuts fabric?
Can the Cricut explore air 2 cut fabric?
The short answer is YES. The EA2 can cut fabric. To cut fabric with the EA2 you should use a Fabric Grip Mat and a Bonded Fabric Blade. Another of my favorite tools that I highly recommend is the brayer. This helps you to get the fabric to lie flat and remove wrinkles.
How do you bond fabric with Cricut?
There are several options for creating bonded fabric with the Cricut.
First you can purchase bonded fabric directly from Cricut, HERE. Cricut calls it Fusible Fabric, this just means that it is ready to fuse to your project once it is cut. The great thing about the fusible fabric from Cricut is that it is already sized to fit directly onto the fabric mat. So if you are feeling truly lazy (like I often am) the fusible fabric is a good option because it is already bonded and it is the right size.
Want to bond your own fabric? No problem. There are a few options for bonding your fabric. If you want to apply your image without sewing Heat N Bond Ultra is my go to. If you want to apply it and then sew it on Heat N Bond Lite is the way to go.
Heat N Bond Ultra – This is a heavy duty double sided adhesive. You can use it on lots of different types of fabrics (including felt) to create a bond for cutting your fabric on the Cricut Explore Air 2.
Heat N Bond Lite – This is a light weight double sided adhesive that is meant to be fused to the fabric and then adhered to the project. Then it can and should be sewn over to form the permanent bond.
Freezer Paper – Freezer paper can be pressed to the back of the fabric to give it some stability. Freezer paper is a good option when you don’t want the fabric to be bonded permanently. If you are cutting the fabric to create something soft like a stuffed toy that doesn’t require stability you might want to be able to peel the bonded section away after the fabric has cut.
What Cricut cuts fabric (best)?
Hands down my favorite Cricut for cutting fabric is the Cricut Maker. Why? Because of the rotary cutter and because I don’t want to bond the fabric each time.
The rotary cutter means that I can cut detailed images into the fabric in a way that the straight blade just isn’t able to do. You can see how precise and clean the rotary cutter cut these ballerinas using the Cricut Maker.
I have cut so many detailed and amazing things using my Maker. I also love to use my Maker for quilting, see how I do that HERE. Get more tips for using the Maker for sewing HERE.
So…Do Cricut machines cut fabric?
Yes, obviously, they most certainly do. I use them to cut fabric every single week (almost daily).
There are a few small issues, such as you do get a bit of fraying on the edges of the fabric when removing it from the mat. Using a tighter weave will cut down on the fraying. This spatula also helps to cut down on fraying by getting underneath the fabric to make it easier to remove. But I find that the small amount of fraying rarely messes with the project I am making. The fraying is always less than the 1/4″ seam allowance I am typically using so it is a non issue for me.
The mat can be a tad sticky when you first take it out of the packaging. Press it to your shirt to give it a layer of lint and remove some of the stickiness.
Use the brayer to make sure the fabric is well adhered to the mat and remove wrinkles.
Another great perk is in the Cricut app. It is called Snap Mat. You can read all about how it works HERE. Snap mat allows you to take a photo of your fabric so that you can fussy cut your design. This is super helpful because when you have a beautiful fabric pattern you want to make sure that you are cutting your design in the right place.
Can Cricut cut felt fabric?
It sure can! This post HERE goes into much more depth about cutting felt and has all the tips and tricks you will need to cut felt fabric. Felt is one of my absolute favorite things to cut with the Maker. It is SO easy to do and it gives it such a nice clean edge. Felt is a great material to work with because it is so forgiving. I LOVE working with felt.
So will you be cutting fabric with your Cricut? Share with me in the comments below if you have any more tips, tricks, or questions about how to cut fabric with Cricut.
Want to see some fun projects using the Cricut? Find all my Cricut projects HERE. Plus check out THESE must have Cricut accessories.
PIN How to Cut Fabric with Cricut Tips and Tricks
Whitney says
If I just want to cut out fabrics without intricate details, would I still need to bond it? I have the EA2.
sewwhatalicia says
If you are using the EA2 to cut fabric no matter what it is I recommend bonding the fabric. The straight blade isn’t ideal for cutting fabric so you need to help it out a bit by giving it something to hold onto (the bonding.) The rotary cutter on the Maker is what makes it so that you don’t have to bond the fabric. Hope that helps!
Megan says
Thanks for all the tips! If I am going to use freezer paper as a temporary bonder, how would I apply it so it sticks?
sewwhatalicia says
You just iron it on. The shiny side will adhere to the fabric when you use an iron. Test a small section first to make sure you have the right side down and don’t melt the sticky side to your iron! Hope that helps!
Richard Evans says
I just want to cut squares for a project ( to be sewn together). Do I still need to bond the fabric?
sewwhatalicia says
Thanks for your question. If you are using the Maker you never have to bond the fabric. The rotary cutter works great with the pink fabric mat. If you are using another Cricut that isn’t the Maker there are a few things variables to my answer. Squares are one of the things that you might be able to cut without bonding the fabric as long as they are big enough. Anything smaller than a 1″ square is probably a no go. And if possible I would recommend that you overcut the corners so that the blade has to pick up and go to the next line rather than trying to turn the corner, if that make sense. That will also help to keep the fabric from fraying. I also recommend using the pink fabric mat for either machine. I hope that helps, if you still have questions please feel free to ask! <3 Alicia
Sydney Cipolla says
You are the biggest lifesaver ever. I’ve been trying to figure out how to cut fabric for weeks now and this is the best explanation yet. Thank you so much! I have the Explore Air 2 so I’ll have a fex extra steps but now I know how and WHY which was my biggest question haha! Thanks again!
sewwhatalicia says
Yay! So glad you found this helpful! <3 Alicia
Carol DiPirro says
Can you design the cricut maker to cut certain shape rectangles. I just got one and I don’t see that as an option.
sewwhatalicia says
Hi Carol. So I will be honest design space is my least favorite part about the Cricut. BUT never fear there is a work around for most everything. To create rectangles here is what you need to do. On the left side of the screen select shapes. Then select a square. Copy and paste the square. Line the squares up so there is a slight overlap along one edge. Then drag your cursor to select both squares. On the bottom right of the screen hit weld. Now you have a rectangle that you can manipulate to the correct size. It is clunky I know, but it works! Your other option is to search the images in design space for a rectangle that fits your needs. If it has designs on it you can remove those by removing contours. I hope that helps!! <3 Alicia
Carol DiPirro says
Thank you so much. Alicia. I also found you can unlock the square and then change the aspect ratio and make it into a rectangle. Thank you, I will try it both ways!!
Allyson says
Hi Alicia! Yours is the best explanation that I’ve found so far about cutting fabric with Cricut. I’m an amateur quilter and my husband got me the EA 2 for Christmas because cutting quilt squares hurts my hands so much. He’s the best! But, the lady at the store didn’t tell him about the extra steps to bond the fabric so he offered to exchange it for the Maker. But, I feel really bad and it costs another $200. I’m just cutting basic shapes. What should I do? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!
sewwhatalicia says
Hi Allyson, If you plan to cut fabric frequently I highly recommend upgrading to the Maker. The rotary blade on the Maker is by far the best tool for the job. That being said, if you can’t justify the additional price, get a pink fabric mat and a brayer. If you are just cutting squares and triangles you might be satisfied with the results of the straight blade. Just be warned that the straight blade will pull a lot more than the rotary blade so if the fabric isn’t adhered firmly or the mat isn’t sticky enough you might not get a great cut. But I say take him up on it, and upgrade to the Maker, I really don’t think you will regret it! <3 Alicia
Nicole says
I am on the fence on the Cricut Air 2 and Cricut Maker…I am planning on cutting seamless yoga pants/tanks and underwear fabric. It is supper delicate and light weight ( especially the underwear fabric) Similiar to VS seamless “barely there” fabric for rough comparison. Would the cricut maker be able to handle that from your experience? Also because it is seamless, I would want to bond or seal edges somehow easily as well..Any suggestions and advice?? Hoping for the best!!!Thank you!!!
sewwhatalicia says
The Maker is definitely your best bet. The rotary blade is a must for those soft flexible fabrics. The straight blade on the Explore would drag and pull the fabric.
Lauren Nyman says
Hey I am wanting to make a quilt for my baby and I have flannel and minky fabric that I want to cut into 5in by 5in squares but I struggle with cutting straight so I thought of my cricut explore air. Can I cut those fabrics on my cricut and make just squares like I want? And what all would you say I need to be able to cut those squares?
Kathleen Zeile says
After you’ve ironed the waxed paper on the fabric, which side would be facing up?
sewwhatalicia says
Do you mean which side of the fabric or which side of the paper?
Shawna Manning says
When you say, freezer paper, do you mean similar to Reynolds freezer paper?
https://www.amazon.com/Reynolds-Freezer-Paper-Plastic-Coated/dp/B00EME5KZ0/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=freezer+paper&qid=1585940301&sr=8-3
sewwhatalicia says
Yes! If you click the word freezer paper where I mentioned it, it takes you to this exact paper!
Shawna says
Thank you
Bona says
Hey
I just bought thr cricket air am wondering if it will cut flowers as organza or silk poly or even just cotton as that is the reason for the purchase and oh just loose flowers to stack as an applique, where I can sew loosely to garment.
Thanks,
B
[email protected]
sewwhatalicia says
Hi Bona, I love my Air 2 but it really isn’t suited for cutting fabric. I highly recommend the Maker instead. The rotary cutter is much better for cutting and doesn’t pull like the straight blade on the Air 2. <3 Alicia
Bona says
I just bought the Air 2 and am thinking on sending it back as I need to cut viole fabric to applique on Haute Couture. I will need many, you know the little fatty rounded — 4 or five leaf they use for fake Hawaiian bracelets; so the fabric folded with tear away stabilizer will not work? Please help me, this was a great sale hate to spend an extra $200.00 plus on the Maker as this is probably all I need to cut mostly.
Thanks,
Bona
sewwhatalicia says
Hi Bona, I really would not recommend the Air 2 for voile. The straight blade will pull and I really think it will just cause you frustration! The rotary cutter on the Maker is much more suited for this type of fabric. I know that isn’t what you want to hear, sorry!!!
<3 Alicia
Annette Ballew says
Can u just order a rotary cutter for the Cricut Air Explorer 2 and just cut ur fabric just like the mat? It looks pretty much the same housing would it work on the air 2??
Annette Ballew says
Maker not mat
sewwhatalicia says
Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. The Maker has an entirely different set of mechanics and the rotary blade will only work with the Maker.
Karen Brown says
Hello
I have been trying to cut a mask pattern with my Cricut Air 2..I am using cotton fabric bonded with a woven interfacing. I have the fabric blade and the pink mat. However when cutting the blade moves my fabric and it lifts off mat and cut is ruined..Any suggestions?
Thank you Karen
sewwhatalicia says
I have a few suggestions, but you might have read above that the very best way to cut fabric is with the Maker. Here are a few things to try. Make sure your mat is super clean, a brand new mat always has the best stick. Use a brayer to really secure the fabric to the mat. Make sure you put the fabric side down and the interfacing side up, the fabric will get the best stick to the mat. Alternately you could try putting the interfacing side down onto a green mat and see if that sticks a bit better. I hope that helps. Please let me know if you have more questions. <3 Alicia
Pamela Woodard says
As a seamstress and quilter (with 13 grandchildren) I feel it’s time to bring a Cricut home. I came across your site while doing due diligence on this product, which I must say can be confusing. Your site is the first that has given me answers I was looking for which will lead me to a nCricut Makr 3 for my studio at the beginning of the year.
Thank you for all the information.