Getting started with your Cricut machine shouldn’t feel daunting, here are some tips and tricks to get you started on your Cricut journey!
First of all, download Cricut Design Space, and follow the steps to set up your machine. The screen will guide you through plugging in your new Cricut machine and will help you cut out your first image.
Once you have cut your first project, have a play with Design Space! Start with a simple vinyl decal or a cut-out image to create a card. You can use the spare materials that came in the box to get you started. Search in the image library for something that catches your eye, add it into the canvas, resize it to fit then click ‘make it’ to cut it out of your chosen material!
To start with, focus on one material, get to grips with that then everything will be simpler for you from there. This material could be vinyl or cardstock or even iron-on, whatever takes your fancy!
The free projects category is another great place to start. Each project has instructions for you to make it as is or click customise to open up the project in the canvas to be able to edit it. This is a great way to play around with a project without starting from a blank canvas.
There is lots of help available to you as you need it, here are some places to find it:
Join a Facebook group:
On Facebook, you will find lots of Cricut Facebook groups to join. As a beginner, these are a great place to get expert help and answers to all of your questions.
These groups are also a great place to make Cricut friends and join the Cricut community! You come across inspiration for your upcoming projects too. Search in a group for a topic, no doubt others will have asked similar questions before, or create a post asking for help – There are no silly questions; we’ve all been there!
Many groups have lives, workshops and online events to join in with, as well as units or files full of information to help you.
The following Facebook Groups are led by Cricut Product Experts (These are group admins who have been approved by Cricut):
John Lewis workshops:
If you purchase your machine from John Lewis you can get a free workshop.
Simply click the link on the product page on the John Lewis web site, complete the form, send a copy of your proof of purchase and you’ll be sent a link to view the workshop. Follow along at your own pace, pause, replay and watch as many times as you want to.
Cricut Wednesdays at Hobbycraft:
On Wednesdays Hobbycraft run ‘Cricut Wednesday’, where you will find a resident Cricut expert answering Cricut questions on the Hobbycraft Facebook page and sometimes Instagram stories and you’ll discover takeovers from Cricut experts, video tutorials and inspirational projects too.
You’ll find Cricut experts instore and check out your local custom crafting store for a wide range of Cricut supplies.
Find virtual Cricut events from Hobbycraft here: www.hobbycraft.co.uk/store-events
Find Inspiration on Social Media:
Follow Cricut across social media to get news, tips and inspiration. You’ll also see tutorial videos and lives to help you with your machine.
You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and Pinterest.
Follow fellow Cricut lovers on Instagram too by searching the hashtag #cricutcreated to find Cricut content and inspiration created by Cricut users. You’ll see creators using their machines for everything from home décor, sewing, organisation, paper crafting, model making and more, so it won’t take long to find someone whose projects will inspire you.
Cricut YouTube channel:
The Cricut YouTube channel has hundreds of easy to follow videos, these are a helpful resource for beginners as you will find short videos with everything you need to know.
Find the Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/OfficialCricut
