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Cricut

Learn about the Cricut Maker and Cricut Design Space.

Part 1 Meet the Cricut

Welcome to the Cricut Crash Course!

This class goes over the basics of the Cricut Maker and Cricut Design Space. You do not have to take this class to use the Idea Lab's Cricut. This class is for anyone who would like to better understand the Cricut and its software. 

 

Anyone can take this class, but in order to use the Cricut in the Idea Lab you need to have a library card and complete the Idea Lab Agreement form. If you don't have a library card, you can get one by visiting any of the Erie County Public Library locations with ID or by filling out the online card application below. 

 

With your library card number, please fill out the Idea Lab agreement below.

 

Now that that's out of the way, it is time to start the class. To complete the class, make sure to explore all the tabs in each part. Tabs are located under the blue bars labeled "part #". For example, part one, the section you are currently in, has a three tabs to explore. 

A Cricut is a cutting machine that allows you to create beautiful crafts with a variety of materials such as paper, vinyl, felt and more.  Depending on which Cricut model you're using, you may also be able to draw, emboss and create folding lines.

There are a few types of Cricut machines. For this class, we are going to focus on the Cricut Maker.

The video below shows a project being made with a Cricut with a bunch of different materials:

The Cricut itself is just one tool you will use in your making process. Let’s take a look at some of the other tools you will use with your Cricut.

First let’s look at the Cricut mats. These mats have an adhesive on them. You place the material you would like to cut on these mats and then load the mat into the Cricut. We take a more in depth look at this process later in the class.

There are four types of Cricut mats: pink, blue, green and purple. Each color has a different strength grip and is used for different types of materials.

 

 

There are also a variety of different blades that can be used to work with all kinds of materials.

                                               

In order to use the Cricut you will need to use Cricut's software: Cricut Design Space. Use the link below to download it to your computer. Once it is downloaded, you will need to make an account to login. You can access your designs on any computer by logging into your account.

 

There are portions of this class when we encourage you to try out what you just learned. In order to complete these sections, you will need to download Cricut Design Space. 

Part 2 Cricut Design Space Tools

Try it out! 

  • Add a shape to the design space.
  • Change the size of the shape. 

Try it out! 

  • Add text to the design space.
  • Change the font of your text to one of the free fonts. 
  • Curve your text.

Try it out! 

  • Find a simple outline or silhouette image to use.
  • Upload it to your Cricut Library.
  • Add the image to your design space. 

Part 3 Cricut Design Space Editing

Try it out! 

  • Pick any two shapes and have them slightly overlap. 
  • Hold shift on the keyboard and select both layers on the right to select both items.
  • Click Weld to make your new shape. 

Try it out! 

  • Overlap text and a shape. 
  • Hold shift on the keyboard and click both layers on the right to select both items.
  • Click Slice and delete the unnecessary layers. 

Part 4 Loading the Machine and Weeding