Cricut: How to Make Christmas Tree Place Settings

Open the Cricut Design Space app and start a new project, open the "Images" menu from the toolbar on the left-hand side of the screen.

Search 'Christmas trees' in the search bar.

Select your shape‐ I have chosen #M10BE72CB image.

Once you have highlighted the image, select "Insert image" and your chosen design will appear on your canvas.

With the tree highlighted, change the height by using the size adjustment tabs within the toolbar at the top of the screen.

You will need to unlock the padlock by clicking on the icon – this will allow you to adjust both the height AND width separately. Amend the dimensions to 5” wide and 8.5" high.

Duplicate the tree so there are now two on your canvas,using the "Duplicate" function located on the right-hand side of the screen.

Next, we need to add two paralled cut lines to ensure the cutlery can be inserted and secured in place. To do this, select the "Line" from the "Shapes" menu located in the toolbar on the left-hand side of the screen.

The default for inserted lines on Design Space is a score line, however we want the Cricut to cut a line, therefore make sure to change the "Line Type" (menu located at the top of the screen) to cut. The line will then change from a dashed to a soild one.

Using the rotation arrow on the corner of the highlighted line, rotate it 90 degress so that it sits horizontally, then adjust the width to 1.9”. Select the "Duplicate" function once more.

Place one line directly under the other, about half an inch apart, then drag a selection box over both lines, click "Align" located in the toobar at the top of the screen and select "Centre horizonatlly" from the options.

With both lines still attached, select the "Attach" function. This will ensure both lines remain in this position.

Reposition the two lines so that they sit centrally in the widest part of one of the Christmas trees (as shown in the image), then drag a selection box over the whole tree and select "Attach".

If you want to, you can amend the colour of each tree to match (as closely as possible) the colour of felt you intend to cut it from, this will make things easier when it comes to knowing which felt sheets needs to be applied to the cutting mat, and in which order. To do this simply select the square colour swatch in the toolbar at the top of the screen.

Now that the tree shapes have been prepared, the "Duplicate" function can be used to copy the design however many times you need.

Once happy with everything, click the green "Make it" button.

You will then be taken through to the mat preview screen, where the trees will have been placed onto their specific colour mats.

You can be more economical with your felt if you wish, by using the three dots on the left-hand corner of the image, and moving a tree onto a mat with more trees on it and rotating it upside down (see image below for guidance).

Select "Continue" once you are happy with the placement of the elements on the cutting mats.

Once through to the machine set up screen, use the "Browse All Materials" function to search for "Felt - Acrylic Fabric".

Secure the felt to the pink FabricGrip mat and load into the machine.

Top Tip: The Cricut brayer is a really helpful tool when it comes to adhering the felt to the mat.

Cut all the trees, then remove them from the cutting mat.

At this point you could add some vinyl decals to the area that holds the cutlery as I've done, I chose to cut some small floral motifs to go on to the band that holds the cutlery, using image 'MA165C87' in my signature colours to match my Christmas table.

Position the cut tree on top of the whole tree and use embroidery thread and a hand sewing needle to secure both together using a straight stitch either side of the cut lines (see image below for guidance), this not only holds both trees together, it also adds a beautiful handmade decorative touch.

Repeat for all the place settings.

All that's left to do is slot the cutley into the placet setting!