The Cricut Maker Machine – What’s New and What Can It Do?

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Introducing the brand new Cricut Maker machine – check out the awesome updated features and discover the multitude of things that this powerhouse machine can do and make! 

make something you love graphic next to cricut machine
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
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You guys. If you haven’t heard the chatter about the new Cricut Maker yet, prepare to have your mind completely blown! I had the opportunity to attend the Cricut Mountain Make-a-Thon last month in Salt Lake City, and at the event, Cricut introduced us to not one, not two, but THREE totally amazing new products! Today, I’m going to share the first one with you, but stay tuned, I have a whole series of posts lined up for the other products, too!

Introducing the All-New Cricut Maker!

The power of a professional machine. The simplicity of Cricut.

cricut maker and cricut tools
Photo: Cricut

The brand new Cricut Maker is the perfect machine for all of your crafting needs – this machine cuts hundreds of materials quickly and accurately, from the most delicate fabric and paper to mat board and leather. Oh, and don’t worry, it still cuts your favorite vinyl and iron-on material, too! The Cricut Maker really does it all!

cricut tool selection and stats
Photo: Cricut

The Cricut Maker features a new Adaptive Tool system that integrates with all of Cricut’s most popular blades, pens, and tools along with some super cool new tools as well. The newest additions to the family are the Rotary Blade, the Knife Blade, the Scoring Wheels, and the Washable Fabric Pen – each one of them an incredible new addition to the line-up!

NEW! Cricut recently introduced even MORE amazing tools to their Adaptive Tool System including the Engraving Tip, Fine Debossing Tip, Perforation Blade, and Wavy Blade

Game Changing. Life Altering. Mind Blowing. Time-Saving.

cricut rotary blade and info
Photo: Cricut

The Rotary Blade, designed specifically for the Cricut Maker machine, is an absolute game-changer when it comes to fabric crafting and sewing projects! With its gliding, rolling action, this blade cuts through virtually any fabric quickly and accurately – without backing material! (No backing = a huge time-saver!)

cricut cut out felt ghost

I love, love, LOVE working with felt, but I don’t love the way that my older Explore machine cuts felt. The cuts from the Explore are far more precise than what I can accomplish with scissors, but it occasionally leaves fuzzy edges and cutting through extra thick felt leaves something to be desired. Naturally, the first fabric material that I wanted to test cut with my Cricut Maker and Rotary Blade was felt – thick wool felt, to be precise.

Oh. My. Gosh. The Maker seriously cut through this thick felt like butter! SO smooth and precise…and no fuzzy edges or rough partial cuts! Y’all, this is like a dream come true!

(Also, you can now expect a bunch of fun felt projects coming up for the holidays!)

sewing crafts simplified with cricut

The Cricut Maker also includes access to a digital sewing pattern library that is home to hundreds of patterns from brands like Simplicity® and Riley Blake®. Simply pick a project, and the machine cuts all the pieces you need. No more pinning and cutting patterns – let the machine do all of the hard and tedious work while you save time for the fun parts!

washable fabric markers advert and cricut

Not only does the Cricut Maker cut all of your pieces for you, the Washable Fabric Marker can also automatically mark your pattern pieces and seam allowances so you’ll always know how they fit together. SO awesome! (Note: this feature is optional, and you can turn it off and on at will!)

cricut adaptive tool system
Photo: Cricut

The Adaptive Tool System allows you to change out your blades/tools, and the machine will intelligently control the direction and cut pressure of the blade to match your material. So, what does that mean for you? The Adaptive Tool System will allow you to swap out your blades for any of the above-referenced blades and tools (and even more to come as Cricut continues to develop their product line) and it adds up to 10x more cutting force…which leads me to the next soon-to-be released Cricut cutting tool…

cricut knife blade capabilities
Photo: Cricut

Ta da! The Cricut Knife Blade (sold separately) works like an X-ACTO knife to slice through heavier materials like 2.4 mm (3/32”) balsa wood and mat board with ease. I can’t wait to get my hands on this tool! At the Make-a-Thon, they demonstrated some of the fantastic things that the knife blade can create, including models like these:

3d dinosaur bones being assembled into dinosaur
Photo: Cricut

and gorgeous layered wood artwork like this:

It’s going to be incredible! My brain is already overflowing with all of the possibilities, and I really can’t wait to see what all of the Maker-owners create with their machines and these new tools!

life size paper doll cutouts and cricut machines decorating wall space

We got to take a peek at some of the new and unconventional materials that the Cricut Maker machine and the new blades can cut, and we were SO impressed!

cricut material capabilities listed
Photo: Cricut

Y’all, it cuts HUNDREDS of different materials! Let that sink in for a minute. HUNDREDS. You could cut a new different material each day, and not repeat the same thing twice for almost an entire year!

cricut maker project collage

The Cricut Maker comes with access to the Cricut Design Space software where you can create one of 100’s of ready-to-make projects (including digital sewing patterns and more!) or upload and create your own designs! The possibilities are truly endless!

cricut docking station and ipad
Photo: Cricut

It even comes with a USB charging port and a dock for your phone or tablet – so you never have to worry about running out of battery life when you’re making those late night projects! You can even run the Cricut Design Space software right from your IOS or Andriod device – easy peasy!

I can’t wait to see what you make with your Cricut Maker! 

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16 Comments

  1. Thank you for solidifying my decision to purchase the Cricut! I was on the fence to purchase the Explore Air 2.

    Did you mention sewing?! I used to hate pinning patterns and cutting out fabric. I had no idea the Cricut could do that!! 👏

    I can see where this can become an obsession!

    Karen

    1. Hi Susan, I just checked the Cricut Design Space library, and I didn’t see any project files for Barbie-sized doll clothing patterns; however, the Design Space software does allow you to upload your own images (in .jpg, .gif, .png, .bmp, .svg, or .dxf files), so if you have your own patterns, you can absolutely upload them into the software and have the Maker do the cutting for you!

  2. I am somewhat technically challenged and have a hard time learning new technology. How difficult is the interfacing between the Cricutmaker and Apple products (I have aniPad)?

    1. Hi Rhonda! I prefer to work with the desktop version of Cricut Design Space, just because I don’t work on my phone or iPad as frequently, however, I know MANY people who use ONLY their iPad with the software and do just fine! The bluetooth connection works like a charm, so you shouldn’t have any issues with it connecting!

    1. The Cricut Design Space software can be used on a computer, tablet, or phone, and it connects to the machine wirelessly via bluetooth 🙂

      1. What is the cost of the pattern program? Also, do the blades need to be sharpened or do you just have to buy new ones?

      2. Hi Vida! The Cricut Design Space software is included in your machine purchase. Within the software you have the option to design your own files, purchase individual pre-made designs, or purchase pre-made designs via a monthly subscription plan (Cricut Access). The blades just get replaced when they are worn down, but they last a very long time! 🙂

  3. Wondering why the exactor cutter does not come with the machine as it is needed to do all the cuts it needs too. Anyone know when that will be available??

    1. Hi Michelle, Cricut does not yet have a set release date for the knife blade, but we’re all crossing our fingers that it will be VERY soon! Cricut tests their blades until they are absolutely perfect before releasing them, so I’m certain it will be worth the wait!