Such a cute free SVG border that you can use to create your own designs or stickers! Teachers can even cut out of paper for bulletin boards.
Compatible with Cricut, Silhouette and other cutting machines. Easy to resize, change colors and customize however you’d like. Don’t miss the rest of our huge free svgs library either!
Please Remember
All free downloads on SVG & Me are for Personal Use Only. Please refer to our copyright and license page for more information.
The free download includes (1) .zip file with:
1 SVG file – Upload to Cricut Design Space, Silhouette Designer Edition, Adobe Suite, Inkscape and more
These SVGs are totally free, but if you want to help you can spread the word by clicking the red or blue share buttons below. I really appreciate it!
Simple free SVG that would be perfect to make into a stencil to create a farmhouse sign or canvas art!
Compatible with Cricut, Silhouette and other cutting machines. Easy to resize, change colors and customize however you’d like. Don’t miss the rest of our huge free svgs library either!
Please Remember
All free downloads on SVG & Me are for Personal Use Only. Please refer to our copyright and license page for more information.
The free download includes (1) .zip file with:
1 SVG file – Upload to Cricut Design Space, Silhouette Designer Edition, Adobe Suite, Inkscape and more
These SVGs are totally free, but if you want to help you can spread the word by clicking the red or blue share buttons below. I really appreciate it!
This patriotic free SVG is perfect for 4th of July, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, or any other American holiday! Perfect red, white and blue design for a baby onesie or kid’s shirt.
Compatible with Cricut, Silhouette and other cutting machines. Easy to resize, change colors and customize however you’d like. Don’t miss the rest of our huge free svgs library either!
Please Remember
All free downloads on SVG & Me are for Personal Use Only. Please refer to our copyright and license page for more information.
The free download includes (1) .zip file with:
1 SVG file – Upload to Cricut Design Space, Silhouette Designer Edition, Adobe Suite, Inkscape and more
These SVGs are totally free, but if you want to help you can spread the word by clicking the red or blue share buttons below. I really appreciate it!
Can you guess what are the most common things I hear from people after buying their Cricut Explore Air 2?
A) I don’t know where to begin!
B) I have no idea what supplies to buy!
C) I’m too scared to get it out of the box!
D) All of the above
If you answered “D” then you are absolutely correct! We’re tackling all of these fears and hurdles in one mega video today! Bookmark and pin this video to refer back to later.
Also, you’re not leaving empty handed…
After you watch, make sure to sign up in the form below the video to get an awesome FREE Getting Started Guide PDF sent straight to your email inbox!
P.S. If you have an older Cricut Explore series machine, most of what you’ll learn in the video will still be applicable to you!
Sign up & get the freebies sent straight to your inbox!
You're in! You'll be sent a confirmation email shortly. Once you confirm your email, you'll get your freebies! P.S. If you don't receive it, make sure to check your spam folder before reaching out.
Can you guess what are the most common things I hear from people after buying their Cricut Maker?
A) I don’t know where to begin!
B) I have no idea what supplies to buy!
C) I’m too scared to get it out of the box!
D) All of the above
If you answered “D” then you are absolutely correct! We’re tackling all of these fears and hurdles in one mega video today! Bookmark and pin this video to refer back to later.
Also, you’re not leaving empty handed…
After you watch, make sure to sign up in the form below the video to get an awesome FREE Getting Started Guide PDF sent straight to your email inbox!
P.S. If you have a Cricut Explore Air 2 machine, watch this video instead.
Sign up & get the freebies sent straight to your inbox!
You're in! You'll be sent a confirmation email shortly. Once you confirm your email, you'll get your freebies! P.S. If you don't receive it, make sure to check your spam folder before reaching out.
First of all, if you’re reading this you’re probably thinking about purchasing a Cricut – yay! But when you see that there are different types your next question is, “What’s the difference and which one should I buy?”
Not to worry, I’m going to break down the Cricut Explore vs. Cricut Maker Series comparison below as clearly and simply as possible so you can confidently make a decision at the end of this post which is right for you.
Now if your question is whether you should buy a Cricut machine at all then that is easy!
YES! This machine will seriously change the way that you craft forever. Prior to buying my Cricut, I would hoard DIY projects on a Pinterest board, but never do them. But, when I purchased my Cricut, I actually started doing them because it makes it so much easier and fun to finish handmade projects in a fraction of the time!
This post is NOT sponsored and all opinions are completely genuine and honest. It does contain affiliate links, which help SVG & Me make money on your purchases at absolutely zero added cost to you. Awesome right? Thanks for your support that makes it possible for us to offer so much free content to you.
Goals of this post:
Decide which Cricut machine is right for you
Save you time and confusion by simplifying the decision as much as possible
Clarify any questions you have on the differences between the machines
Only have 5 seconds because the kids are screaming at you? Scroll to the bottom to read my final verdict. However, I do recommend reading through the post to make sure which machine is right for you.
Personally, I like to review tables and bulleted lists much more than long paragraphs of text, so that’s typically the style I use when writing these types of posts to keep things as simple and clear as possible. I hope you find it helpful.
Back to the old Venn diagram days of elementary school, I think they are actually helpful when summarizing the capabilities of the Explore Air 2 vs the Cricut Maker:
Essentially, the Cricut Maker can do everything the Explore Air 2 can and MORE!
Cricut Explore Air 2 vs. Cricut Maker Comparison
I have an Explore Air 2 now. Do I need to upgrade?
If you have an Explore Air 2 already, do NOT feel like you immediately need to upgrade. It is kind of like when the latest iPhone comes out and you can get sucked in by all the hype of the new features, but your current one still works perfectly well.
So, if you really want the latest and greatest features you can upgrade, but don’t feel like it is a necessity because Cricut will stop supporting your current machine because that’s not the case at all.
However, I will say that I ended up upgrading to the Cricut Maker and absolutely love it, so you will definitely not regret it when you do. Plus, the Maker is now starting to go on sale compared to when it was first released so it may be the time to start considering the upgrade if you’ve been thinking about it.
What’s new with the Cricut Maker? aka What can it do that the Explore Air 2 can’t?
It’s got a rotary blade so it cuts fabric and patterns WAY better than the Explore Air 2! This bad boy is definitely the star of the Cricut Maker and an amazing improvement on previous machines. The rotary blade cuts difficult materials like felt and fabric flawlessly (I am still amazed everytime!). I used to never cut felt before either because it was always a pain with inconsistent results on the Air 2, but now with my Maker it is one of my favorite materials to cut!
To clarify, the Explore Air 2 can cut fabric but it requires a backing or stabilizer like Heat n’ Bond added to the fabric when matting and is no where near as effective because the blade pulls on the fabric and doesn’t give it those clean cuts like a spinning rotary blade does.
You can use colored or patterned paper when you print + cut. Life changing? No. Nice to have? Absolutely. The way I envision using this is that you can now print a graphic like Happy Valentine’s Day on a cute heart pattern paper and then die cut around it. So, you don’t have to waste your ink printing the background on white paper, which is great.
The knife blade allows you to cut with 10x more pressure and through thicker (up to 2.44mm thick), sturdier materials than the Explore Air 2. So, if you like to be able to cut wood with your machine, then you should absolutely buy a Maker.
QuickSwap tool system – this fancy phrase basically means that the Maker was built to grow with you as a crafter and fit a whole host of new tools that Cricut has up their sleeves. I have heard rumors of up to 40 new blades they are talking about creating. So, if it will bum you out to not be able to use newly released attachments and blades, go with the Maker.
Now for the physical design changes of the Cricut Maker:
Charging port/device display holder – allows you to charge your phone or iPad as well as display it easily when creating projects.
More storage space for tools. The Maker now has an additional storage cup (2 instead of 1) and a larger storage drawer built in.
Got rid of the smart dial to select the material type: At first I wasn’t sure if I would like this change, but I can now say that I love it! Why? Instead of having to get up and adjust your dial on your machine, you can easily make all material changes from your computer as you’re setting up your design to cut. Plus, it teaches you to use the wide range of custom materials instead of just the ones that can fit on the smart dial.
No open button. You can watch how it opens in the video above, but basically you just pull up on the cover slightly.
No cartridge port. If you are a long time Cricut user and still have cartridges from one of your older machines, you have to buy an adapter to be able to use them with the Maker. For new users that haven’t owned a Cricut before, you don’t have to worry about this.
QUICK DECISION GUIDE: Which Cricut machine fits your specific needs?
Perhaps my favorite part of this post that you can pin on your Pinterest boards to refer back to are the two graphics below. The first summarizes the feature differences we described above in a quick and easy format and the second helps you decide which machine suits your needs?
Where should I buy my Cricut to get the best deal?
You can get the Cricut Maker here. Personally, I recommend buying it through the Cricut website to ensure if anything were to go wrong with it, you can easily work directly with Cricut and don’t have to deal with the third party too. Shipping is free for large purchases like this so you don’t have to worry about that.
You may be thinking “Oh, I should get it at Michael’s and use their 40% off coupon. It doesn’t work apply to buying this item. I tried when I was making sure I gave you the best recommendation possible.
It is hands down the best long term investment because you can get a ton of use out of it and it will work with all the latest and greatest upgrades and add-ons that Cricut releases. There’s no denying these machines are expensive, so it’s best to buy one that will last you the longest and is the most powerful and versatile with what it can cut!
With the Cricut Maker, you can cut fabric, felt, wood, and leather SO much better than you ever could with the Explore series machines – I have been seriously blown away!
Plus, it has started to go on sale recently so you can find some great deals on it if you already have an Explore series and are looking to upgrade.
My only caveat to this recommendation is if you really just want to focus on paper crafts and are totally content with the current features of the Explore Air 2 (and won’t be upset if they release new blades you can’t use), then go with it and save the extra money.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: New Versions of the Explore and Maker Released!
Recently, Cricut released a new version of both the Explore and the Maker series machines: the Cricut Explore 3 and the Cricut Maker 3.
Which version should you buy?
Many people try to overcomplicate it but the main difference is really just that the newest machines (3 series) can cut without a mat using Smart Materials.
This allows them to perform longer cuts (up to about 4 feet for some materials).
I hope this comparison helped you come to a clear and confident decision about which machine is right for you. If you still have any questions, let me know in the comments below and I will try to help.
This is such a versatile free SVG that everyone should have. Use the design as is with the trio of arrows or use just one as an accent when you create your own design. Perfect for Valentine’s Day crafts, but works for any time of the year!
Compatible with Cricut, Silhouette and other cutting machines. Easy to resize, change colors and customize however you’d like. Don’t miss the rest of our huge free svgs library either!
Please Remember
All free downloads on SVG & Me are for Personal Use Only. Please refer to our copyright and license page for more information.
The free download includes (1) .zip file with:
1 SVG file – Upload to Cricut Design Space, Silhouette Designer Edition, Adobe Suite, Inkscape and more
These SVGs are totally free, but if you want to help you can spread the word by clicking the red or blue share buttons below. I really appreciate it!
It’s tough to find good, free SVGs for boys, but this one is perfect! Simple enough to be used by a beginner and you can make a shirt or onesie that looks like it was bought at the store!
Compatible with Cricut, Silhouette and other cutting machines. Easy to resize, change colors and customize however you’d like. Don’t miss the rest of our huge free svgs library either!
Please Remember
All free downloads on SVG & Me are for Personal Use Only. Please refer to our copyright and license page for more information.
The free download includes (1) .zip file with:
1 SVG file – Upload to Cricut Design Space, Silhouette Designer Edition, Adobe Suite, Inkscape and more
These SVGs are totally free, but if you want to help you can spread the word by clicking the red or blue share buttons below. I really appreciate it!
This free SVG design is perfect for the SUPER popular llama craze going on right now. Turn it into a T-shirt or a pillow for your llama-loving-little-one (sheesh! that’s a tongue twister).
Compatible with Cricut, Silhouette and other cutting machines. Easy to resize, change colors and customize however you’d like. Don’t miss the rest of our huge free svgs library either!
Please Remember
All free downloads on SVG & Me are for Personal Use Only. Please refer to our copyright and license page for more information.
The free download includes (1) .zip file with:
1 SVG file – Upload to Cricut Design Space, Silhouette Designer Edition, Adobe Suite, Inkscape and more
These SVGs are totally free, but if you want to help you can spread the word by clicking the red or blue share buttons below. I really appreciate it!
Sometimes the most useful tools come in the most surprising packages. That is the case for each of these “Cricut” accessories. I put that in quotes because none of them were created for Cricut users and yet they are surprisingly perfect for many needs of the Cricut crafter.
Intrigued? Let’s go ahead and check out these weird but insanely useful Cricut accessories that you didn’t know you needed.
Please note this post contains affiliate links that may give me a small percentage of of the purchase at zero added cost to you!
While this little tool was created to cut wrapping paper, what Cricut crafting item is very similar to wrapping paper?
If you guessed vinyl rolls then you are correct! This baby doubles as a vinyl cutter and is a great addition to the Cricut crafter’s toolbox. Scissors can lead to jagged edges and these long rolls can be a pain to try to feed through a paper cutter. So, this is the perfect solution to use instead!
While these hooks are marketed and manufacturer for a dentist, they can also be a crafters best friend! Don’t you see the similarity to a weeding hook! Yep, these are a great inexpensive alternative or replacement for your trusty weeding hook to use on all your vinyl projects.
One of the toughest parts about applying vinyl to a large surface (e.g. a wall decal) is trying to make sure it’s straight when you apply it. Here is the key to getting this right that will save you from tons of wasted vinyl:
Using the hinge method so you have ample time to play around and perfect the placement of the decal before sticking it down. I teach you step-by-step how to do this in Mastering Your Cricut in 21 Days.
Now, the beauty of the hinge method, you have plenty of time to readjust and make sure your design is straight. However, that becomes MUCH easier to do with large wall decals and similar projects if you have this tool!
You can clip this level on to the bottom of your vinyl design and adjust the top hinge until you have it just right!
Painter’s tape is one of those items that I am still discovering new uses for it when I am crafting. It is SO versatile and helpful in countless ways like securing materials to mats or taping down stencils. You won’t believe how often you’ll be reaching for it in your craft drawer.
You know when you are weeding intricate designs and you have those tiny pieces of vinyl stuck to your weeding hook and you keep having to pull them off with your fingers. Well, no more!
This genius solution using a nail polish holder ring allows you to weed without having to constantly pause and pull off those vinyl bits. Instead, you put it on your non weeding hand that is holding down your vinyl and simply slide your weeding hook in and up the side of it to remove the vinyl bits hands-free!
P.S. If you don’t want to buy this item, you can also do this by wrapping painter’s tape (see, I told you there are a million uses!) a few times around your non-weeding hand with the sticky side up. It’s a bit messier, but it works in a pinch.
If you apply HTV (heat transfer vinyl) with an EasyPress or iron, this is a must-have accessory in my book! It is much cheaper than the Cricut EasyPress Mat and is so sturdy and heat resistant that it is the perfect solution to apply HTV on.
Forget using towels or the other items they recommend, this is a much flatter and heat resistant surface for a much better HTV application.
Who knew that this kitchen item could be the secret to creating shirt stencils for SO much cheaper than other products. I use freezer paper all the time when painting designs on shirts using SpeedBall screen printing ink. This is actually my favorite method for creating shirts because it can get that more natural distressed which I prefer over HTV.
Freezer paper is quite fragile and can tear easily, so just be careful with your cut settings and don’t try to cut overly intricate designs.
Oh, and make sure you get the “plastic coated” type!
P.S. In Mastering Your Cricut in 21 Days, I let you in on my secret hack for cutting freezer paper without it tearing, which will save you so much frustration (speaking from experience).
Cricut Explore series owners (Explore One, Explore Air 2, etc) listen up! This product is the secret to cutting fabric and felt with your machine. This is the best backing to add that stiffens it to be able to cut and it adds an adhesive backing so you can then apply to tote bags, pillows, etc. I love this stuff!
If you have a Cricut Maker, you don’t have to add this stuff thanks to the amazing rotary blade that cuts fabric and felt without backing, but I still use it sometimes for the adhesive backing.
Do you love rhinestone projects? Well, then you need this accessory! It may look quite simple, but I am telling you this little foam brush will save you SO much time when applying rhinestones into your templates.
You know that painstaking process of ensuring that all the rhinestones are facing up? Well, just brush the rhinestones over your template in a circular motion with this brush and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll be finished!
If you’ve attended our free Common Cricut Mistakes MasterClass, you may remember this hack! You can create your own pressing pillows for a fraction of the cost in minutes using just foam and Teflon sheets. Check out the Masterclass for more details, but basically you just create a cover for the foam using the Teflon sheet and sew around the edges.
Pressing pillows are a serious lifesaver when applying HTV because the #1 reason your HTV isn’t sticking is because you aren’t getting good contact and pressure with your design. That’s where pressing pillows come in and this DIY solution can save you over $50!
I got my first one of these as a free bonus when I bought some transfer tape and I prefer it hands-down over the Cricut scraper for a couple reasons: 1) it’s longer so you can burnish down those vinyl decals faster and 2) it has a foam edge so it gentler on your designs and prevents you from damaging the vinyl as you burnish. I seriously love these things and will never go without them again! They’re definitely my best friend when applying vinyl decals.
Which of these shocking but super useful Cricut accessories have you already rushed over to buy? Let us know in the comments below or share you own surprising must-have accessories! Thanks for reading!
I was in your same shoes not long ago asking myself, “Which is the best cutting machine to buy: a Cricut or a Silhouette?”
I did a TON of research and I am sharing all I learned below in a summarized version that is quick and to the point. Personally, I hate 2000 word reviews that when I finally get to the bottom the only answer they offer is, it depends. That’s why I decided to create the type of review I would want to read when I was deciding between the Cricut vs. Silhouette cutting machines.
The 3 most important factors in deciding which to buy:
Price
Machine Performance
Design Software
1. Price Comparison: Cricut vs. Silhouette
You can typically find both the Silhouette Cameo 3 and the Cricut Explore Air 2 on sale for about $200. The Cricut Maker is the most recent version with the best cutting power and exciting new tools like the knife and rotary blades that cut difficult materials like felt and leather beautifully. The Cricut Maker is usually on sale for about $350.
Verdict: Silhouette Cameo 3 and Cricut Explore Air 2 are priced similarly. Cricut Maker is more expensive (due to more features).
Please note that these prices are based on sale prices available at the time of writing, which may change over time.
2. Machine Performance: Cricut vs. Silhouette
Even the top Silhouette bloggers will tell you that the Cricut has superior cutting power. The Cricut Maker has up to 4000 grams of cutting pressure and the Silhouette Cameo has about 210 grams. In fact, there was a third party test done to compare the two machines and here are the results that speak for themselves:
What does this mean? With the Cricut, you will have so many more options when it comes to the materials you can cut and the quality of the cuts will be so much cleaner! This is a KEY factor in deciding which to buy.
Verdict: Cricut wins hands down!
3. Design Software: Cricut Design Space vs. Silhouette Studio
Cost: both Cricut Design Space and Silhouette Studio are free to use, but almost all Silhouette users will want to at least upgrade to Designer Edition (about $29) in order to be able to upload their own SVG files (like you can get for free in our library).
Ease of Use: Cricut Design Space is more user-friendly and is much easier to learn so you can get started using your machine quicker.
Designing Capabilities: Silhouette Studio is a more powerful design program compared to Design Space. Cricut Design Space is great for simple designs or preparing your designs to cut, but it is not powerful enough for creating extensive custom designs.
Verdict: Cricut Design Space is more user-friendly and has a much lower learning curve. Silhouette Studio is more powerful but can be intimidating for beginners.
After finding this out, you may be thinking to yourself, well I wish I could combine the awesome cutting power and ease of use of the Cricut with a powerful design software to create my own designs. You can! Here’s how…
Best Solution I Recommend:
I would recommend buying a Cricut because it is hands down the more powerful cutting machine and it will be much easier to get started using it’s software. Then, once you are comfortable and ready to start creating your own designs, learn how to use Inkscape (a free design software compatible with Mac and PC computers).
Bam! Best of both worlds! 🙂
By the way, you know I fully stand behind this recommendation because this is exactly what I did and what I would recommend my best friend do.
The only exceptions I would make to this verdict are if you are primarily only working with embroidery files or cutting extra large vinyl pieces greater than 2 ft long. In those instances, a Silhouette may be the best cutting machine for you.
Are you trying to decide if you want to buy a Cricut or are a Cricut beginner and confused on where to get started? You’re in the right place because guess what? Most people (myself included) had the exact same questions when starting out. So, don’t get frustrated and let’s tackle the Cricut Beginner FAQ now:
1. What the heck is a Cricut?
A Cricut is a brand of cutting machine that you can use for all sorts of crafting projects. It takes designs that you create or upload (like those you get free from us) in to their Design Space software and cuts them out.
It sounds simple, but I guarantee that you will be amazed at the number of projects you can make in a fraction of the time you would be able to do them by hand. I’m talking sewing patterns, planner stickers, wooden signs for your home, monogrammed mugs and so much more!
This machine is perfect for the creative person who always wants to do DIY projects but is short on time so they sit on your Pinterest board instead 😉 Also, if you have a homemade business or Etsy shop, I can pretty much guarantee you will get a ton of value out of this machine.
Stay tuned for #4 below for a whole list of projects you can create.
2. Can I upload my own images to use with Cricut?
Yes! You can upload your own images or any of our free SVG & Me cut files that are already formatted to be totally compatible with Cricut Design Space.
There are all sorts of image file types out there. The best kind (that we provide) are SVGs, which stands (lemme put on my nerdy glasses here) scalable vector graphic. Basically, it uses math formulas to create the image based on points between lines. Don’t worry I can see your eyes glazing over and won’t go in more depth than that.
The benefit of this is that the SVG graphics can be enlarged without getting that blurry pixelated look you see with other file types, making them absolutely awesome for crafting projects of any size!
3. What different materials can I cut with Cricut?
Everyone tends to think of Cricut machines as cutting paper or vinyl, but the truth is there are a LOT more things that a Cricut can cut. In fact, the Cricut Explore Air 2 can cut over 60 types of materials!
For instance, it can cut chipboard, balsa (super thin) wood, magnet material, aluminum (aka soda cans), and so much more! For thicker materials, you will want to upgrade to the deep-cut blade for the best cut quality.
Check out some examples of the wide range of materials you can cut!
AND the new Cricut Maker can cut EVEN more materials (100+ in fact) with 100x the pressure power of the Explore Air 2. It’s specialty you ask? Fabric! It’s got a brand new rotary blade which makes it a must for seamstresses that can now prep a project in minutes instead of hours.
Want to see a full list of materials and the cutting settings for each? Check this out.
4. What kinds of DIY projects can I make with a Cricut?
Honestly, perhaps the best AND most overwhelming part of buying a Cricut is that it is SO versatile that you don’t know where to begin. So, resist the information overload and try to focus on one project at a time.
The funny thing about Cricut projects is that, when I was starting out, I will think of a zillion projects or see some on Pinterest and think “hey, I wanna make that!” Then, I sit down to make a project and my mind would go totally blank!
Well, to help with this, I came up with a HUGE list of Cricut projects (that will continue to grow so keep checking back for updates). You can browse through, pick one from the list, and get crafting in no time flat! And…it now comes with a FREE printable version you can refer to for inspiration. So, make sure you head over and download that if you don’t have it.
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5. Will it be easy for me to learn how to use Cricut Design Space to create my own custom projects?
Yep, and I’m here to help! Check out our Cricut tutorials page here which is an awesome place for beginners to start! We add new videos each week and even provide helpful free resources and checklists so make sure you check back often.
You don’t even need to own a Cricut to start practicing with Design Space. By the time you get your machine, you’ll be a step ahead!
6. What supplies do I need to get started?
This is one of the questions I had the hardest time answering as a beginner. I searched for a printable resource online and was shocked when I couldn’t find one – so I decided to create my own to share with you!
I took a ton of time researching, getting advice from others, and then compiling this huge list of Essential Cricut Supplies Every Beginner Should Have that I am sharing with you (lucky duck) to save you all the time it took me 🙂
It will continuously be updated, so make sure you check back periodically to make sure you have the latest version. Also, let me know if you have any holy grail Cricut products or tips that I should include!
Any questions you would love to see covered in this post? Let me know in the comments below and I will try to answer and maybe even update the post with them since others probably have similar questions!
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