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I'm excited to share my thoughts today about the new Cricut Maker* machine. You'll also find a tutorial for making this hexagon pincushion with or without the machine!
This post is sponsored by Cricut*, all opinions, images and text are my own. I've used affiliate links in this post (noted with an *), which means if you click through and buy something, I make a commission, at no extra cost to you.
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One of the big reasons I was interested in testing out the Maker is personal. (Let's be real, one of them is to fulfill my childhood dream of using such a fancy machine.) As you may or may not know, I have arthritis. My disease primarily affects my wrists and hands, which are pretty critical when you're making something. I've spent a lot of time figuring out how to do things in ways that minimize their impact on my body and health. In the last 5 years especially, I've had a lot of wrist problems. A task that really takes a toll on me is cutting.
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I've never used a Cricut* machine before, so I decided to make a video of myself using it. Please excuse my video skills/set-up! I don't have a lot of experience shooting videos, but I felt it was the best way to show you the machine.
I was intimidated at first, but it was easier to use than I expected. I'm excited to continue to learn everything this machine can do, and really take advantage of it. In the video, I walk through cutting pieces for a simple pincushion, including creating the shapes in the Cricut Design Space*. The program allows you to create your own designs, upload images, and customize your projects. There are tons of ready made projects available too.
If you want to make a pincushion too, see the instructions below, or watch the video:
Materials:
- (2) 8.25"x10" pieces of cotton fabric
- (1) 5" piece of cotton fabric
- Pincushion filling (I used crushed walnut shells*)
- Coordinating thread
1. Start a new project in the Cricut Design Space*. Click the shape tool on the left hand side of Canvas, and click the Triangle shape. Once the shape pops up on your canvas, select it by clicking on it. Up in the top bar, change the height of the triangle to 2.5". (Or download the image of the triangle here.)
2. Using the Cricut Maker*, cut three triangles from each fabric for a total of six triangles. (Here is the tool set* I was using in the video.)
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4. Place rows right sides together, lining up the seam and the row ends. Place a pin through the points to match them up. Sew rows together.
5. Use your pincushion top as a template to cut a backing for it from the 5" square.
6. Place pincushion top and backing right sides together. Sew around all sides, leaving a small opening on one side for turning. Turn pincushion right sides out. Fill your pincushion with filling of choice, hand stitch the opening closed.
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Happy Sewing!
*Note: Any links marked with an asterisk in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click through and buy something, I make a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
I can definitely imagine this making life easier for folks with limitations like yourself. Hooray for technology allowing you and others to keep creating.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this review. I have seriously been considering getting one of these. Oh that the pattern makers would get on board and start designing for this machine.
ReplyDeletelove, love your post and great job on the video!!
ReplyDeletebrooke@sillymamaquilts.com
I have had two paper cutting Cricuts, I love seeing what they can do with fabric!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, and I look forward to your next video. I wonder if you could have flipped one of those triangles upside down and got them in one row. I hate to waste fabric...
ReplyDeleteI was excited to see your video tutorial! I've been looking casually at these but thought "do I want to spend all this time learning something new?" Your video showed just how easy it really is and I'm looking forward to seeing your next project.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very nice piece of equipment. I love it!!
ReplyDeleteVery cool! That was an excellent review video. Probably not in my budget at the moment but something to consider in the future. Using it to prep EPP is a great idea, I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with that!
ReplyDeleteHi Jeni!! It's Rachel Spetrino!! I have LOVED your desktop calendars over the past few years, any chance you are posting one for 2018??
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel! Not this year, but maybe I'll bring them back next year! :)
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