How to Cut Quilling Strips with a Cricut Explore

How to Cut Quilling Strips with a Cricut Explore

Cutting your own quilling paper strips with an electric cutting machine is really quick and easy, and it’s how I’ve been cutting my own paper for many years now. I had to cut my own thicker paper for “on edge quilling” or "quillography" projects because venders just didn’t offer it until the last couple of years.

Ever since I made cutting files for myself, I’ve been giving them away on my blog. If you’ve downloaded my cutting files in the past, then you’ll want to download my updated files because I’ve made significant improvements on them. Watch my video tutorial to see how the cutting path has been made as efficient as possible.

My files are created in 5 widths for:

• inches: 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/5
• mm: 1, 2, 3, 5, 10

The following machines can import SVG (Amazon affiliate links): 

• Cricut: Explore, Joy, Maker
• Silhouette: Cameo, Curio, SD (with Silhouette Studio® Designer Edition)
• Brother ScanNCut
• Pazzles Vue
• Bosskut Gazelle

The following machines can import DXF:

• Silhouette: Cameo, Curio, SD 

Method 1 - Cut Quilling Strips with Margins

Cut your strips with margins on either side and they will never get tangled. After tearing them off, you'll need to trim the ends to make them clean.

Method 2 - Cut Quilling Strips with Fringe

Leave a margin on one side and your strips will still be manageable. There is less wastage than Method 1, and I usually use this method on scrap pieces rather than full sized pieces of paper.

Method 3 - Cut Quilling Strips Without Margins

There is no wastage with this method of cutting, and the strips will all be individually cut.

Bonus - Happy Birthday Message

Decorate a birthday gift with a unique twist using letters on a ribbon of quilling!

Tutorial - How to Re-stick a Cutting Mat

I've had a collection of dying, dead, and really dead cutting mats in my drawers ever since I bought my first electric cutting machine, a Silhouette SD.  They have been waiting there all these years for a resurrection because I loathe trashing plastic and knew I'd find a method of re-applying an adhesive that I'd like some day, and that day is here.

I have tried using 2-way Zig glue, but found residue on my paper, even after it had dried for days. I tried using large sheets of double-sided adhesive (courtesy of a local signage store who was throwing it out), but I would inevitably cut through that layer and would end up having to peel it off my own cut pieces. A friend showed me a video of someone diluting Aleene's Tack It Over and Over Again with water and brushing it onto her mat.

I decided it give it a try, but without dilution nor a brush. I wanted to smear the glue, just like I always do when I'm quilling. I was so pleased to see it work so well! I was able to re-use my mats and no adhesive came away with my paper. The adhesive is smooth and grips card stock almost too well.

On my first attempt, I didn't realize the thickness of the masking tape would end up yielding a much thicker area than the middle. It ended up gripping my card stock so strongly that I left pulp behind. With the photo above, you can see the reflection of where the build up of adhesive is, near the tape. In my video, I have deliberately scraped harder so it has much less strength. It still grips card stock very well, but now it doesn't separate the fibers – love it!

After filming, I had some dried glue on my fingers. I happened to have some rubbing alcohol on hand, and found it to be as effective as the Goo Gone I've seen others use.

If you give it a try, I'd love to hear about it. Please do leave a comment and let others learn from your experience too!