Cricut is the electronic cutting machine that has been making waves among quilters and other crafters. The machine is perfectly designed to cut different types of materials such as vinyl, card stock, paper, and other materials. Some Cricut machines are even capable of efficiently cutting leather and wood.
Due to the amazing cutting ability of the Cricut machine, many quilters have been wondering if this electronic machine can perfectly cut quilting materials just like the rotary blade. While the Cricut machine can easily cut through materials that can be cut with scissors and X-acto knives, this article will provide a detailed discussion of the possibility of cutting your quilting fabric with the Cricut cutting machine.
Can Cricut Cut the Fabric Used for Quilting?
Yes, you can cut your quilting fabric using the Cricut cutting machine. There are different options for Cricut machines that can perfectly get the job done. Cricut machines such as the Cricut Explores and Cricut Maker are considered to be the best options for cutting your quilt fabrics.
The Cricut Maker uses a rotary blade that produces smooth and precise cutting. When using the Cricut Marker for your fabric cutting, you won’t also have to bond your quilting fabric before cutting.
Why Should I Cut Fabric on a Cricut?
While cutting precision remains an essential part of quilting, you can rest assured of precise and accurate cuts with the Cricut cutting machine. The electronic cutting machine also produces perfectly straight lines, curves, and circles making it a stress-free process. The difficult-to-reach inside cut also becomes easy with the Cricut.
You can also make use of the machine to precisely mark sewing lines on your fabric for a smooth and easy sewing process. The time-saving cutting machine can also cut 2 to 3 layers of fabric at a time making it easy to wrap up the cutting process in time. It can also perfectly cut difficult-to-cut fabrics and mark your stitching lines accurately.
What Type of Fabric Can Cricut Maker Cut?
From cardstock, vinyl, iron-on materials, fabric and textile, and other speciality materials, the Cricut Maker can efficiently cut through different types of material. The cutting machine is designed to cut materials less than 3/32 inches, or 2.4mm thick. Its new knife blade works in comparison with the X-ACTO knife.
How Many Layers of Fabric Can a Cricut Cut?
The rotary blade equipped in a Cricut is capable of cutting different types of materials and can perfectly cut up to 3 layers of fabric all at once. The Cricut rotary blade can also cut out your patterns in folds according to the user’s preference.
What Cricut Blade Do I Use For Fabric?
The deep point blade is considered to be the best Cricut blade to cut fabric. The blade can also cut magnets, chipboard, stiffened felt, thick cardstock, stamp material, foam sheets cardboard, and other thick materials. The deep point blade is equipped with a steeper blade angle and hard durable steel.
Does Aluminum Foil Sharpen Cricut Blades?
Cricut blades such as fine point blades, deep point blades, bonded fabric blades, rotary blades, wavy blades, and knife blades can all be easily sharpened using aluminium foil. All you have to do is stab your blunt blade into a balled aluminium foil repeatedly to get it sharpened.
How Long Do Cricut Blades Last?
The time to change your Cricut blade depends on how often you cut with your Cricut cutting machine. The more the machine is used the more the blade becomes less functioning.
You can decide when to replace the Cricut blade due to its cutting performance but when the machine cuts constantly, it is recommended to change the Cricut blade every two months.
Why Does My Cricut Not Cut Deep Enough?
When your Cricut machine doesn’t cut through your fabric properly, this can be easily resolved through some stress-free troubleshooting. Firstly you have to cross-examine and ensure your selected material settings on the smart set dial or the Design Space compliments your material. if the selected settings don’t match your material you should easily select a setting that does.
If the setting does match your material, you should inspect the cutting blade by opening clamp B and detaching the blade housing from the cutting machine. It is important to make use of a Cricut brand cutting blade with the machine for a smooth performance. Clean the blade and the housing properly making sure it’s free from debris before coupling it back with the cutting machine.
In a situation where your Cricut machine still doesn’t produce a deep cut after proper blade cleaning, you can proceed with the replacement of the cutting blade as it might have gotten dull due to constant use. A new sharp cutting blade will produce a deep and precise cut on your fabric.
How Do I Calibrate My Cricut?
There are moments when you face some unwanted challenges with your Cricut cutting your fabric, you might have bumped your machine which could have affected its cutting accuracy. A calibration process will easily fix this without having to replace your cutting blade. Calibration is a simple procedure that can be used to adjust and gauge your cutting blade accuracy.
Calibration allows your Cricut machine to align with the blade housing to produce precise and outstanding cuts on your fabrics. It is a process that gauges, measure, and adjust the alignment and cutting accuracy of the cutting blade.
Your Cricut Maker can be calibrated using the rotary blade, the knife blade, or the print and cut feature in Design Space. Cricut Explore always comes pre-calibrated and can also be calibrated using print and then cut.
How Do I Clean My Cricut Machine?
The more you make use of your Cricut machine, the more it attracts debris and dust. To make sure your Cricut cutting machine maintains its efficiency, it is important to clean the machine frequently. When trying to clean your Cricut machine, make use of gentle cleaners only.
- Harsh chemicals like acetone should not be used and make sure the grease present on the metal rods holding the blade housing unit is not wiped off. You also have to make sure the machine remains switched off during the cleaning process for safety.
- To clean your Cricut machine, you have to open the cutting machine and move the blade housing and the rod to the left and then detach the blade and the blade attachment from its clamp. When the blade has been removed, make use of a pressurized can to blow air into the machine making sure the air reaches all parts of the machine inside.
- Make use of alcohol and bleach-free wipes to clean off the dirty part of the cutting machine after which you can cautiously move the roller stars on the metal rod to a side and dust the area using a soft-bristled brush. You should also clean the areas between the metal bars cautiously to avoid touching the chain that moves the tool housing.
You can easily remove the dust that has been brought up by the bristled brush by making use of the baby wipes. This should also be carefully done to avoid wiping off the lubricant present on the metal rod. When the machine inside dries out, make use of a microfiber cloth to buff off the inside of the cutting machine and clean off any remaining dust.
Conclusion
The Cricut cutting machine is highly effective and produces an outstanding and precise cut. By following this article, you would have the answer to the common question of if the Cricut machine can perfectly cut a quilting fabric and other relative questions related to the Cricut cutting machine.