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Quilting has never been for the faint-hearted, and a lot of people would probably be quilters if they did not have to go through the hassle of cutting fabric. Personally, I avoided quilting until recently when I came across a Cricut machine.
For anyone unfamiliar with the Cricut machine, but more specifically the Cricut Explore Air 2. It is, in my opinion, the ultimate machine you can own right after your quilters kit and a match made in heaven. The Cricut machine is a smart die-cutting machine that uses a variety of accessories and allows you to cut over 100 designs and shapes on many different materials, thus making cutting much easier than previously.
(Side note: Some choose to use other cutting machines, including the Silhouette. To each her own, however to help you choose you can check this article: Cricut vs. Silhouette.)
A user simply has to place the quilting material they want to cut into the Cricut machine’s sticky mat, load the mat onto the machine, and press Go from which the machine does everything else.
However, that is not all the machine can do for quilters. There are many ways that we shall discuss below that the Cricut machine can be used for quilting.
Adding iron-on fabrics to quilts
A Cricut machine can be used to personalize quilts by adding different iron-on patches and labels onto a user’s quilting projects.
Since the Cricut machine is extremely versatile, it can cut many different kinds of fabric including paper and vinyl and as such quilters can use the machines software to create labels that can be used to create cute finishing touches to their quilts.
Simply load the iron-on fabric, cut it out and then fuse it to whatever quilting project you are working on.
Drawing embroidery designs
Some Cricut machines such as the one mentioned above usually include an accessory slot that can be used to fit various tools of the machine’s adaptive tool kit.
Quilters could, for example, using a washable fabric pen which can be used to mark and draw different designs on to the top of the quilt which will then be reinforced with embroidery thread. Having tried doing this before, I can guarantee that the outcome will blow your mind.
Cutting
Given that the machine is touted as a cutting machine, it would not make sense if the machine could not manage the most important task as far as quilting is concerned. Cricut machines are usually able to cut different fabrics without necessitating a backing.
The sticky mat where the fabric is placed acts as the backing and as such, the machine’s rotary cutting blade can do its job on any fabric. Even those quilters who are into hexagon paper piecing can use the Cricut machine to create and cut the hexagon effortlessly as the shapes are already preloaded onto the machine’s design software. But that’s not all, if you are into appliques, it is possible to perfectly cut applique shapes with so much ease and very little mess.
Cutting applique shapes with a Cricut machine ensures that you get the curves of your shapes just right without them looking wonky.
Drawing stitch lines
Quilting projects are not always gigantic. Some of them, such as quilted hot pads and pouches, are usually small. For the small projects that need topstitching, users can easily do that using the Cricut machine.
As mentioned above, the washable fabric pen can be used to draw lines on the fabric, and a quilter can then effortlessly stitch onto the project. Using the Cricut machine also ensures that the topstitch lines are perfectly spaced and aligned using the alignment tool available in the machine’s software.
Creating mixed media quilts
Similar to the labels and patches, the Cricut machine facilitates the creation of mixed media quilts. Quilters could, for example, include iron-on vinyl to the quilts design for some extra pizazz. For example, in a project, I did recently, I included colored foil iron-on a quilt that had diamonds on it. The foil not only gave my quilt a glittery appearance, but it also gave it a much-needed dimension. When quilting with mixed media, users can choose between changing up the material they use or picking their favorite colors and including them on the quilt.
Creating stencils for fabric
Sometimes, when creating your quilt, you may not be able to cut out a fabric in a manner that you want because of a number of reasons. To deal with this, users can cut stencil designs, which can then be used on their fabric of choice. Doing this opens possibilities for quilters that did not exist before since they do not have to search for the perfect fabric but can instead create it for themselves. Quilters using Cricut machines can effortlessly optimize the creation of custom quilts that are unique and completely different.
Embellishing Your Quilting Experience
Quilters who enjoy experimenting can achieve a lot when using the Cricut machine. This is because, in addition to the machines, Cricut also have several hand tools such as brayers, self-healing mats, rotary cutters and acrylic rulers that quilters can use to achieve the best possible outcome and help them become masters of their trade. A couple of times using Cricut machines and you will notice the major difference in your creations.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
As previously mentioned, Cricut has revolutionized a lot as far as quilting is concerned. From cutting to customizing, there is always a Cricut machine ready to meet your needs as a quilter. Nevertheless, a Cricut machine that can meet your needs. The Cricut Explore Air 2 that I own, for example, is such a great choice of machine as it can do a lot for me as a quilter and someone who enjoys trying out other different crafting techniques.
Most of the quilting projects I have undertaken are things I would have never in a million years attempted without the Explore Air 2. I enjoy using the Cricut so much for quilting that I have on several occasions stayed up late brainstorming on quilting ideas and projects that I would challenge myself to do, and I hope that you like me will soon be creating those gorgeous quilts that you love but admire from afar.