Billie Reviews: Cricut.
Sometimes the team at Billie gets to try out some new products and review them for our lovely readers (aka you!) because sometimes you need to try before you buy.
Recently the lovelies from Cricut (if you are a crafter, YOU KNOW) sent over some of their products so we could give them a whirl and let you know if they are worth the hype.
If you are new to the name Cricut - get ready for your world to change.
Cricut makes smart cutting machines that work with an easy-to-use app to help you design and personalise almost anything — custom cards, unique apparel, everyday items, and so much more.
For those arts and crafters, it is like the holy grail of machines that lets you create almost anything your heart desires to a high quality.
I’d been eyeing up one of these machines for a long time and watched with envy as my friends created custom sweatshirts for fun.
So naturally I thought the best project to try out all the Cricut gear was to create a Billie sweater - our very first piece of merch eeee!
Here are a few quick thoughts on some of the products used to create the Billie Sweatshirt:
Cricut Maker 3.
What it does: The Cricut Maker 3 quickly and accurately cuts and 300+ materials from the most delicate paper and fabric to the tough stuff like leather, mat board and balsa wood.
This guy is your main machine. Firstly, it’s super easy to unpack and install. I had no problems with registering, downloading the right app, and setting up an account.
Be patient though. It takes time to familiarise yourself with what the machine is about and where to access everything in Cricut Design Space. And before starting it is useful to read and understand the terminology and technique functions. Practice is a must too!!!!
It’s important to understand exactly what the machine core functions are. It is primarily a cutting machine not a printer so it really works best for block coloured designs (even though it can draw with the pens purchased)
If you are ever in a pickle, you can hit up the FAQs section in the Cricut Design Space (written info only), Cricut Learn for step-by-step guides and beginners' courses and there is so much more on the internet posted by Cricut users on YouTube clips and blogs etc
You do have to be a bit computer savvy but it is really fun to sit down and play around and create your own projects. I like being able to use own picture files (like our Billie logo) and Cricut can accept a good range of picture files types. There are a wide range of projects and images available in Design Space as well but many of them are paid features. If you like the look of the features then you can sign up for the subscription. However, having said that you do have the option of just purchasing (USD) individual files even though it adds to the cost of your project.
Once the project is created it is super easy to ‘make it’! The preparation instructions and the execution steps are clearly laid out. The machine will not progress until you have actioned each step one at a time. It is quick (project dependent) and so wonderfully accurate with the ability to cut very intricate patterns. It’s a really good feeling to have a design so perfectly cut down to the last detail!! It is also great that it can cut such a wide range of materials.
Once purchased you do need to make sure you will use it enough to make the financial investment worthwhile. It is very accessory and consumable dependant which can be expensive initially but it does eliminate multi stage creation of projects in non-Cricut ways. You have to be prepared to make mistakes and ‘trial and error’ some projects especially when using new types of materials. This adds to the cost as does the wastage of product from some projects too.
Otherwise, I’m loving it and once I have a few projects saved it really is a matter of pressing the GO button and then marveling at the professional results! WOOP!
BrightPad™ Go.
What it does: Cricut BrightPad Go illuminates hard-to-see cut lines for faster, more accurate weeding of vinyl and heat-transfer projects.
No instructions were necessary - just plug in and turn on
Great for seeing detailed work – weeding but also for tracing
Especially useful when working at night and for those with poor eyesight
EasyPress.
What it does: A Cricut EasyPress is the perfect companion machine to the Maker 3 as it means you can take your designs and iron then on to an even wider range of materials using Iron-on vinyl or Infusible inks.
It’s easy to use and accessory tray and mat fit well together and look good
Step by step drop-down boxes in Cricut Design Space give clear process instructions for temperature and time amounts for transferring the design (eg. the Billie ‘B’) to your chosen background (the sweatshirt). This makes the whole process simple so you don’t ruin your design.
After the Maker 3 cut out the logo pieces from the Everyday Iron-On in Lilac and White, I was able to easily transfer them onto the jumper with the EasyPress.
Final thoughts.
I was stoked with the final product which was our Billie sweatshirt. Despite essentially being quite complex equipment with lots of different things to learn, Cricut make the whole process simple so that even beginners can make some epic things like our Billie Sweater!
It’s very true that practice makes perfect and the more I use it, the better I get. Start off with practising on cheap things like I did with the sweater, which I got from Kmart for $8.50.
As mentioned at the start of the review, Cricut really is the holy grail of crafting. If you are regularly creating things or looking to set up your own little arts and crafts side-hustle then I think investing in a Cricut is a must.
Although it can be on the pricier side of things to invest in all the Cricut gear, if you are using it heaps the cost per use comes down considerably. Also it’s worth remembering the all the time and effort you’ll save when it makes it so quick and easy to execute your projects.
Want to see the finished product? Check out our Reel below:
The full range of Cricut products are available for purchase at Harvey Norman online and in store.
