Sponsored by Cricut
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The Cricut Maker takes your DIY to the next level with it’s accessibility and simplicity!
Let me preface this post by saying that if you own a machine from the Explore line, it is NOT obsolete! Cricut will continue to make and support Explore machines. Cricut Maker is for anyone who wants to take their DIY to the next level. Read on to find out why!
I have been working with Cricut for over four years. I was blessed to be a part of the launch of the Explore line of machines in 2014. (You can see that post HERE!) The Explore changed the way I craft. I was finally able to make my creations a reality. It was the perfect marriage of DIY and technology. The easy dial on the side of the machine took the guess work out of it. But as Ashish said, we wanted more…
Last week, I had the opportunity to be in Salt Lake City again for the official launch of the Cricut Maker. This machine is going to change the face of the crafting industry. Cricut wants to be more than just cutting machines. They want to help from the beginning to the end of the project!
What’s different with Cricut Maker vs. Cricut Explore?
The Cricut Explore is the perfect starter machine. It is a great way to get your feet wet. The machine can cut 100s of different materials. Research shows that the majority of people who purchase a cutting machine, use it for cutting vinyl and heat transfer vinyl. This machine will do all of that!
The Cricut Explore Air is the next step up. It allows for bluetooth connection without an additional adapter. It will also hold two tools at once (scoring + cutting or writing + cutting).
The Cricut Explore Air 2 is all of the above PLUS double the speed. It has a fast mode option for cutting multiple simple shapes much more efficiently.
Then there is the Cricut Maker. This is the holy grail of cutting machines. It has an adaptive tool system for cutting even more materials! This system allows for changing and upgrading without needing to upgrade the machine once more tools become available. (And rumor has it, there is a lot more to come!) It has a rotary blade for cutting virtually any fabric. In October, they will release the knife blade which cuts thicker materials with X-ACTO precision
Cricut Maker: Rotary Blade, Simplicity and Riley Blake
Cricut has teamed up with Simplicity and Riley Blake to bring sewing back into the home and to encourage the next generation of makers. They spoke to thousands of makers and found that the biggest complaint about sewing is cutting the pattern out of fabric. The rotary blade provides a level of precision that used to only be available in clothing factories.
With the purchase of the Cricut Maker machine, you will receive 50 FREE sewing patterns. This includes two quilt patterns! Each sewing pattern also comes with assembly instructions in an easy to save/print PDF file. You can print that file and head to the fabric store to pick up all of your supplies for your next project!
It also comes with a fabric mat. That means you don’t have to back the fabric! How cool is that?! Again, another step eliminated for quicker project time.
And it’s pink.
Place the fabric, right side down onto the pink fabric mat. The Cricut Maker will draw pattern markings straight to the fabric with the washable fabric marker. If you are a seasoned sewist, you can turn this option off. For all projects with markings, Cricut has already mirrored these pieces for you! While we were at the Mountain Make-a-thon, Anna Rose raced the machine in cutting a pattern the old way. The machine cut the pattern in a fraction of the time! Now you can do what you love best which is the sewing!
Cricut has also released a sewing kit! Remember, they want to be known for making, not just cutting. The sewing kit includes 8 inch fabric sheers, thread snips, seam ripper, pin cushion with pins, measuring tape and a leather thimble.
Cricut Maker: Knife Blade and Thicker Materials
In October, Cricut will release a knife blade for use with the new machine. This knife blade has the ability to cut through materials 2.4mm thick with even more force! It has the precision of an X-ACTO knife. This blade will be sold separately. It is NOT included when you purchase the machine (but the rotary blade is).
This new blade will cut through balsa wood, heavy leather and matboard with ease. Just think of the dimension you can add to your projects!
What I love most about this company is the time they spend paying attention to the tiniest of details. The new tool storage on the left has a rubber bottom so it won’t damage the tips of your tools. The new blades and their housings are colored coded so you know which blade you are using. The tool storage in the door of the machine is deeper so you no longer have to play tetris to get your tools to fit. Cricut Maker is still quiet enough to use crafting into the night. They have seriously thought of everything.
The Cricut Maker will hit store shelves on August 20th! It retails for $399.99.
What will YOU make with the Cricut Maker?
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.