My Favorite Cricut Maker Tools

Learn about my five favorite Cricut Maker tools including how to use them, what to use them on and lots of project ideas!

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

I’ve had my Maker for almost three years and there’s not a week that goes by that I haven’t used it! OK well maybe the week after my baby was born I didn’t. But really, since having the Maker, I feel like the amount of crafting I’ve been able to do has grown so much! And a big part of that is all because of the Cricut Maker Tools.

What Are Cricut Maker Tools?

When Cricut Maker was announced at the Cricut Mountain Make-A-Thon, I was SO excited to use the rotary blade to cut fabric. I have always wanted to learn how to sew and the Cricut Maker made that goal seem a little bit more achievable. Not only have I been able to create some amazing projects with the rotary blade (like this baby quilt), but since then Cricut has released a whole bunch of new tools which have upped my crafting game too! Here’s a list of all the Cricut Maker Tools available:

What’s even more amazing to me is the last six tools on that list all share the same housing! That makes it even easier (and more affordable) to create! I’ve had a chance to craft with all of the tools and tips and wanted to share today my five favorites and why I love them. While each tool above is amazing, I’ve found these five I use more often and have created more projects with. Let’s go head and get started!

Cricut Rotary Blade

The rotary blade was the first Maker tool I used and probably the one I’ve used the most. This blade comes with the Maker, which I really love, and has a TON of pre-made designs in Design Space you can use it with. You can also use it with your own designs too! Cricut partnered with Simplicity when they launched the Maker so the designs in Design Space include Simplicity patterns like doll clothes, hats, onesies, bags and even quilts!

What Materials Can I Use The Rotary Blade With?

The rotary blade is used for fabric and there are over 100 different types of fabric you can use with the rotary blade. 135 to be exact. Here are just a few ideas:

Cotton
Denim
Quilt Batting
Silk
Tulle
Velour

What Mat Do I Use With The Rotary Blade?

You’ll want to use the FabricGrip (Pink) Mat with the rotary blade. I also suggest using a brayer (I love this one from Cricut) to make sure your fabric is stuck on your mat smooth and without wrinkles. Here are a few other accessories that I’ve found come in handy while using the rotary blade too:

Sewing Kit – Includes fabric scissors, seem ripper, measuring tape, pins and more.
Rotary Cutting Kit – I use this all the time to cut my larger pieces of fabric down to size.
Self Healing Mats – There are two different sizes and several pretty designs available.

Rotary Blade Project Ideas

Like I mentioned earlier, I made my very first quilt with the Cricut Maker and rotary blade and it was surprisingly easy! You can check it out, and other projects you can make with the rotary blade below!

Baby Quilt from Tastefully Frugal

Bike Bag from Tastefully Frugal

Keychain Fob from Tastefully Frugal

Aldi Quarter Holder from See Kate Sew

Felt Flower Headband from Tastefully Frugal

No Sew Reindeer Pillow from Tastefully Frugal

Cricut Knife Blade

The knife blade is one of my favorite Cricut Maker Tools because it really makes projects that can last a lifetime. You can cut materials up to 3/32″ thick which makes creating things like home decor items, puzzles, cake stands and more a whole lot easier. I will say the knife blade is the one tool that takes the most time to use, since it cuts such thick materials, these aren’t going to be quick projects. To learn more about how to use the knife blade, check out this post.

What Materials Can I Use The Knife Blade With?

With a thickness limit of 3/32″, there are a whole lot of materials the knife blade can cut! Some of my favorite materials to use are:

Basswood
Balsawood
Leather
Chipboard

What Mat Do I Use With The Knife Blade?

You’ll want to use the StrongGrip (purple) Mat with the knife blade. Also, because the knife blade cuts your design up to 24 times so that it is all the way cut through, you’ll want to make sure you secure the material you’re cutting with painters tape. That way it for sure doesn’t move during the cutting process.

Knife Blade Project Ideas

The limit on knife blade projects is only your imagination! There are so many great projects you can make with your knife blade. Some of my favorites have been wreath inserts, cake toppers and the marker for my baby’s milestone blanket! Check out more project ideas below:

Initial Wreath Insert from Tastefully Frugal

Pineapple Cake Cake Topper from Tastefully Frugal

DIY Farmhouse Wood Sign from Everyday Jenny

Baby Milestone Blanket Marker from Tastefully Frugal

DIY Puzzle from Country Chic Cottage

DIY Desk Organizer from Happiness is Homemade

Cricut Scoring Wheel

When this tool came out in got me really excited about paper crafting again! The scoring wheel and double scoring wheel make creating score lines for folding lines SO much easier. Their is a scoring stylus that you can use in the Explore Air machines as well that scores but the scoring wheels make MUCH deeper scores, which is awesome! They make creating cards, rosettes, boxes and more a whole lot easier! It’s also part of the Quickswap Tool Family so you can use the same housing with both scoring wheels (and the other Quickswap tools). You can learn more about the scoring wheel and how to use it here.

What Materials Can I Use The Scoring Wheels With?

The scoring wheels are mostly for paper crafts. That being said, there are a whole lot of different types of paper you can use. Some of the ones I’ve used that I really like are:

Deluxe Paper
Cardstock
Acetate
Shimmer Paper
Kraft Board
Poster Board

What Mats Do I Use With The Scoring Wheels?

You can use both the LightGrip (blue) Mat, and StandardGrip (green) mat with the scoring wheels. It all depends on what material you are scoring. If you are doing a lighter material, like paper or cardstock, use the LightGrip Mat. If you’re using a thicker material, like Kraft or Poster Board, the StandardGrip mat works best.

Scoring Wheel Project Ideas

I’ve used the scoring wheel for just as many, if not more, projects as I have the rotary blade. I love being able to create homemade gifts and party decor to save money so I can spend money on other things (like more craft supplies). They are also great for creating class projects for kids too! Check out these fun project tutorials:

How To Make Paper Rosettes from Tastefully Frugal

DIY Gift Box with Lid from Tastefully Frugal

3D Lion Head from Crafting In The Rain

DIY Party Favor Box from Tastefully Frugal

Corner Page Bookmarks from Tastefully Frugal

3D Paper Stars from Hey Let’s Make Stuff

Cricut Perforation Blade

The perforation blade is another member of the Quickswap Tool family (like the scoring wheels) and it’s used to make perforation cuts in projects. This is great for making countdowns, DIY raffle tickets, surprise cards and more! You can learn more about the perforation blade and how to use it here.

What Materials Can I Use The Perforation Blade With?

Like the scoring wheels, the perforation blade is for paper crafts. but you’re not JUST limited to paper! You can use the perforation blade on foam, felt, acetate and more! Plus all your paper materials too including:

Deluxe Paper
Cardstock
Foil Paper
Shimmer Paper

What Mats Do I Use With The Perforation Blade?

When you are working with the lighter materials, you’ll want to use the less sticky LightGrip (blue) mat for your perforation blade projects. And like with the scoring wheel, when you use thicker materials, you’ll want to use the StandardGrip (green) mat.

Perforation Blade Project Ideas

When you think of perforation blade projects, think of anything you’d like to easily be able to tear off or rip. I used the perforation blade for diaper raffle ticket for my baby sprinkle last year and it was so fun! I’ve also seen the perforation blade used in birthday cards, vacation countdowns and more!

Diaper Raffle Tickets from Tastefully Frugal

Heart Attack Love Notes from Over The Big Moon

Birthday Card Surprise from The Happy Scraps

Surprise Menu from Monica Wants It

Easy Open Envelopes from That’s What Che Said

Take Our Number Flier from Hey Let’s Make Stuff

Cricut Debossing Tip

The debossing tip was one of the tools I was super excited when Cricut announced! I have loved using the Cuttlebug to deboss cards and banners but the Debossing Tip takes it to the next level with what designs and materials you can deboss with! It, like the Perforation Blade and Scoring Wheels, is part of the QuickSwap Tool Family. So once you have one housing, all you have to buy are the tips to swap out. You can learn more about the Debsossing Tip, and all the Quickswap Tools, here.

What Materials Can I Use The Debossing Tip With?

I feel like the Debossing Tip is one of the most versatile of the Cricut Maker Tools! It can be used with lighter materials, like paper and cardstock. But it can also be used to deboss thicker materials, like leather and chipboard. Some of my favorite materials to deboss are:

Foil Poster Board
Kraft Board
Leather
Acetate

What Mats Do I Use With The Debossing Tip?

This is one tool that you can use all (but the FabricGrip) mats with. It all just depends on what material you’re using. You’ll want to use the LightGrip (blue) for lighter materials, StandardGrip (green) for medium materials, like foil poster board, and StrongGrip (purple) for thicker materials, like leather.

Debossing Tip Project Ideas

Really, like most of the tools, the only limit to projects for the debossing tip is your imagination! I’ve used the debossing tip to make station signs for a baby shower, keychains and Christmas cards. Here are some more great project ideas:

Party Station Signs from Tastefully Frugal

Teacher Keychain from Tried & True

Leather Debossed Bib from The Proper Blog

Star Cupcake Toppers from It Happens In A Blink

Birthday Gift Card Holder from Happiness Is Homemade

DIY Gift Wrap from Tauni Everett

I’ve had so much fun going down memory lane looking at all the crafts myself (and others) have made with the Cricut Maker Tools! Have you crafted with any of the Maker Tools before? What’s your favorite tool to use?

If you need to get order some Maker Tools, or other Cricut supplies, and you’re shopping on Cricut.com, use code FRUGAL to save 10% and get FREE shipping on all $50+ orders. That’s on top of the 10% discount Cricut Access members get automatically!

Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel to check out all the video tutorials for Maker Tools and more! For more Cricut projects and tutorials, check out these posts. For tips, tricks and immediate help, be sure to join our FREE Cricut Support Group.

My Favorite Cricut Maker Tools

What Are Cricut Maker Tools?

Cricut Rotary Blade