Cricut + Simplicity Patterns = Clever Companions!

I've posted before to acclaim the Cricut Maker's ability to help me sew, and maybe you even downloaded my slipper .svg file and made a pair or two for yourself! Cricut's exclusive new Rotary Blade is what makes this precision cutting possible, cutting fabric with no backing or stabilizer. Did you know that Simplicity Patterns has chummed up with Cricut to make sewing patterns available in .svg format for your Cricut Maker Machine? When I decided to give that duo a try I came across this sweet doggie dress that I knew would be perfect for my Pinkie!

Cricut Maker Machine

Click photo, above, for more information about the Cricut Maker Machine.

Making her dress with Art Gallery Fabric's "Wonderful Things", designed by my daughter, Bonnie Christine, would make it even more perfect! Look how accurately the rotary blade cuts! And...the marking pen precisely marked each piece for ribbon, pocket and velcro placement. Click on the photo for a close-up view.

One of the best things about Cricut Maker and Cricut's Design Space, is how user friendly they are. They work together so easily and all the guesswork is taken out because you just choose your design, click "Make It", and follow the prompts! It's that easy, and Cricut has an abundant supply of videos and tutorials to help with most any situation that could arise.

  • Bottom Left: Sewing the leash ribbon in place.
  • Bottom Center: Sewing the gathered ruffle in place.
  • Bottom Right: Stitch around treat pocket on fold line. Clip to line in corners. Tip: Glue seam allowance in place and press well. Sew to the front of the dress as shown in the top photo.
  • Top Photo: Finished and ready for velcro. Click to enlarge.

What do you think?

Sewing with Cricut Maker has many benefits; to name a few:

  1. Cutting and marking accuracy.
  2. No hand fatigue from scissors or rotary cutter.
  3. Youngsters can sew small projects without having to use sharp cutting tools.
  4. Much easier for handicapped or arthritic hands.
  5. It's fun!

Can you tell how much I love my Cricut Maker? Thanks for visiting today! Happy Sewing and God bless!

Maxie

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

Maxie Mail Subscription Sewing Box

My idea for the Maxie Mail Subscription Sewing Box became a reality 8 months ago. I can hardly believe how fast time passes, and I feel I've made so many new friends all across this country and even into Canada. Thank you to each and every one that subscribed and made this reality even possible! Early into the subscription I sent out a survey to all subscribers, asking questions ranging from styles of sewing to box content ideas. One of the most popular ideas was the "Cool Tools" or notions box and I jumped at that because, as a quilt shop owner for over 13 years, I know what tools are most valuable and useful and I know which tools are a waste of time and money. So...here it comes, with over $80 worth of super products! I think you'll love May's box and the accompanying video that will explain each item inside. It's not too late to sign up...just click here! The cut off date is May 22, but waiting too much longer might delay your shipment by a few days due to stock levels on hand. (Boxes normally ship on the 25th of the month.)

Maxie Mail Subscription Sewing Box

How The Cricut Maker Cuts Fleece! (A Free SVG File for You!)

You read it right! The Cricut Maker is equipped with a rotary cutter, giving it the capability to cut fabric without the need to adhere a stabilizer or fusible on the wrong side! Other cutters utilize a dragging knife blade that, when dragging over the surface of UN-stabilized fabric, would distort the fabric and make cutting curves and corners a nightmare. But, could Cricut Maker cut any type of fabric? I decided to put it to the test with stretchy, lofty fleece! It passed with flying colors!

Cricut Maker.jpg

These fleece booties are made from a pattern I drafted on paper a few years back and I suppose I've made about a hundred pair from that pattern. Cutting can be a bit of a challenge though, (due to stretch and fuzz) so I I thought that if Cricut could pass this test we would remain close friends forever!

The first step I'd need to take would be to create the pattern in an SVG file for the machine. My Adobe Illustrator skills were very lacking, but thanks to the new Immersion Course by Bonnie Christine (my daughter!) she brought me up to speed quickly in only the first week of lessons. So, thank you, Bonnie, for that! (If you're in want of those skills, you might like to check out her classes on Skillshare and Creative Live, as well. Her Immersion course registration is closed until next year, but you can register for the notification list.)

SVG file complete, now to put it to the test. I connected my laptop to my Cricut Maker, opened Cricut Design Space and followed the very simple prompts to upload my designs (there are two: the ankle portion and the toe/sole portion). Being a new Cricut user, this was my very first cut fabric project, and I approached with guarded confidence, wondering if I would have a very long learning curve. Nope. None. Cricut guides you through each step: choose your fabric type, load your mat, touch the cut button. It was that simple! I can't sing the virtues of this machine loudly enough!

Cricut Maker Machine

Want a Cricut Maker of your very own? The cost is $399.99 and a voluminous value, considering the capabilities of cutting hundreds of materials including silk, cotton, leather, wood, and every type of paper! Click the image above to purchase! If you purchase the Cricut from the links in my post, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cricut, and contains my opinions.

These booties are only in one size, but roomy enough to fit Women's 7-9.  Download the written .pdf directions for constructing them here, and the SVG files for your cutting machine here. You'll be snuggling up with them in no time! Photos below correspond with the .pdf instructions.

Fleece Booties with the Cricut Maker

Back to the Adobe Illustrator drawing board to make more SVG files for my Cricut Maker!

Thanks for visiting! Happy sewing, and God bless! Maxie

These booties are only in one size, but roomy enough to fit Women's 7-9.  Download the written directions for constructing them here, and the SVG files for your cutting machine here. You'll be snuggling up with them in no time!