How to Cut Metal With Cricut + Make a Copper Wreath!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE METAL WREATH DESIGN FILES

First, download my Metal Wreath SVG/DXF/PDF files from my free resource library. It's Design #431.

You can cut the printable PDF by hand, but I'll show you how to cut the SVG with a Cricut out of metal sheeting.

The file options include a single leaf if you need just a few and a set of 10 leaves that are prepared for a 12” x 12” sheet. Every machine is different, so I recommend testing your materials, tools, and material settings with a single leaf before trying the whole project. For this tutorial, I will be using the set of 10 leaves.

Upload the SVG you’d like to use and add it to your Canvas.

If you are not sure how to upload an SVG cut file to Cricut Design Space, watch this helpful video training series I made.

If you are on an iPad or iPhone, here is how to download and upload SVG files to the Cricut Design Space app.

STEP 2: PREPARE THE DESIGN FILE

Here is how the set of ten leaves looks on my Canvas.

Each leaf consists of “veins” that we'll score and one cut outline to form the leaf itself. The “vein” layers appear on the Canvas as Basic Cut lines, so we need to change those to Score lines.

Select the “vein” layer in the Layers Panel, then select "Score" under the Operation menu.

It’s really important you attach your vein layer to your leaf cutout, or else the Cricut won't know where to place the score lines. Click "Select All" and click "Attach".

Your leaves are ready!

STEP 3: CUT THE LEAVES

The cutting process takes approximately one hour per sheet of ten leaves. Make sure your computer is set to not go to sleep while the file is scoring and cutting!

Check that the right machine is listed in the top corner, then click "Make It!"

If you are asked if you are cutting your designs without a mat, on a mat, or multiple ways, select "On Mat" and "12 x 12." Then click "Continue."

On the Prepare screen, keep the "Material Size" at 12" x 12”.

I've found that about 50 leaves are needed to cover the wreath in my materials list. You may use more or less depending on how closely you glue the leaves together, and the size of the wreath form you use. I need five copies of the set of 10 leaves, so I'll change the "Project Copies" in the upper left hand side of the screen to "5" by either typing in the number or using the up arrows. Click "Apply."

The number of mats has now increased to five and we will have a total of 50 leaves when the project is cut.

Click "Continue."

On the Make screen, we will need to create a custom material cut setting. Don’t worry, I’ll show you how! These settings worked for my machine, but each one is different, so test with a single leaf just in case. If the score lines are too deep, try these settings with the pressure on Default.

Click "Browse All Materials," then "Material Settings." Scroll all the way to the bottom of the listed materials and click the green button labeled "Add New Material."

Next, type a label for your new material setting. I used "Aluminum Sheet" as my title. Click "Save."

The list will now scroll back to your new material to allow you to input custom cut settings. I used "300" for the pressure using the slider and "2x" for the cut under Multi-cut. The Fine-Point Blade is already selected so I left that in place. Click "Save."

Click the “X” to close the Custom Materials window.

Now, select the new material from the material list by clicking "Browse Materials" and changing the Categories drop-down menu to "My Materials."

Select "Aluminum Sheet" and click "Done."

Select "More" Pressure.

The scoring tool automatically selected for the Maker 3 is the single scoring wheel. This is the tool I used, but if you are using the scoring stylus or the double scoring wheel, select "Edit Tools" to select the proper tool.

Make sure the correct scoring tool is loaded in the machine.

Put on your safety gloves and use the scissors to cut a piece of the metal 12" x 12." Place it copper side up on a purple StrongGrip machine mat. Use the brayer to make sure the metal is fully adhered to the mat.

Load the mat into your Cricut and press the flashing button to begin. When the scoring step is completed, the machine will stop and wait for you to change the scoring wheel to the Fine-Point Blade. Make sure the blade is clean and loaded before continuing.

TIP: If you run into any issues cutting your materials, check out my Cricut Tips & Tricks for Cleaner Cuts.

Once the cutting is complete, the leaves are ready to remove from the mat. Make sure to wear protective gloves to prevent accidentally cutting yourself. The edges of the cut metal are sharp!

“Weed” the leaves by flipping the mat over onto your work surface and gently pulling it back to release the excess material.

Use the spatula to carefully remove the leaves from the mat. Do not curl the leaves up or lines will appear across them as they release from the mat.

Now, prepare the mat with the next aluminum sheet, load it in the machine, and press the flashing button to continue.

Once all five sheets of leaves are cut and weeded, we are ready to assemble the wreath.

STEP 4: ASSEMBLE THE METAL WREATH

You can choose to keep the leaves flat or bend them for a little more dimensional effect. I chose to crease them along the center vein to fold them slightly.

Once all the leaves are ready to apply to your wreath form, there are two options for gluing the leaves to the form.

Attachment Option 1: Hot Glue

Hot glue is the quickest and easiest way to apply the leaves to the form. If you intend to hang the wreath on an outside door or window where it will receive a lot of sun during the day, however, you may want to use the other option as hot glue can melt from the heat of the sun.

Cover your work area with parchment paper. Place the wreath frame face up.

Plug in and warm up your glue gun.

Make sure your hands are protected from the heat of the glue as the heat will transfer up the metal. I wore my crafting gloves!

For the easiest placement, I found adding the leaves in an alternating “braid” style worked best:

Decide where you want to place each leaf before adding the glue. I started with a leaf on the middle two wires, slightly angled in to the center of the wreath, with the point facing to the right. Press the bottom part of a leaf into the wires to conform the base to where the glue will hold it in place.

Place hot glue on the back of the leaf at the widest part of the bottom where you just shaped it.

Let the glue cool slightly before turning the leaf over and setting in your pre-determined spot. Hold the leaf in place for a moment while the glue cools enough to be secure.

Then, add a second leaf on the same two center wires so that the tip angles out and it slightly overlaps the previous leaf's base.

Continue gluing leaves around the form until your wreath is full.

After filling the leaves around the form, add the middle leaves to make groupings of three leaves here and there around the wreath form.

To place the middle leaves, add glue to the widest part of the back of the leaf and slide it in to the center between the inside edges of two overlapping leaves. Hold the leaf in place until the glue cools.

The final step is to turn the wreath over and place a little bit of glue on the back of each leaf to lock them into place. Without this step, the hot glue can work loose and the leaves may fall off!

Attachment Option 2: E6000

E6000 creates a nice strong hold on the metal but takes a long time to dry thoroughly and can be quite messy. It will not melt in the sun like hot glue can, though, so is a better choice if the wreath will be hung in direct sunlight for hours at a time.

Cover your work area with parchment paper. Place the wreath frame face up.

For the easiest placement, I found adding the leaves in an alternating “braid” style worked best:

Decide where you want to place each leaf before adding the glue. I started with a leaf on the middle two wires, slightly angled in to the center of the wreath, with the point facing to the right. Press the bottom part of a leaf into the wires to conform the base to where the glue will hold it in place.

Spread glue on the back of the leaf at the widest part of the bottom where you just shaped it.

Let the glue sit a moment before turning the leaf over and setting it in your pre-determined spot. Wrap a small piece of parchment around the leaf base. Place a crafting clamp over the parchment paper onto the leaf to hold it in place while the glue forms a bond. This can take quite a few minutes for each leaf.

Then, add a second leaf on the same two center wires so that the tip angles out and it slightly overlaps the previous leaf's base.

Continue alternating the leaves around the form. Be sure to check the bond on the glue before removing the clamp and parchment paper on each one. If the glue hasn't set quite yet, replace the parchment and clamp for a few more minutes.

After filling the leaves around the form, add the middle leaves to make groupings of three leaves here and there around the wreath form.

To place the middle leaves, add glue to the widest part of the back of the leaf and slide it in to the center between the inside edges of two overlapping leaves. Hold the leaf in place for a short while to ensure it will not shift from its spot. Clamps aren't necessary for the middle leaves since they sit on top of other leaves. The glue adheres to the metal leaves much more easily than to the wire form.

Once the form has been filled, allow the wreath to set on a flat surface for at least 24 hours so the E6000 glue has time to thoroughly dry.

STEP 5: SHOW IT OFF!

Hang your wreath to enjoy the coppery fall colors in your home!