Use this free Hummingbird SVG to Make a 3D Layered Design that is easy and fun to put together!
3D layered designs are SO much fun to make! My layered 3D mandala sunflower is one of our more popular designs, and the recent 3D Layered Paper Cut Series I released has been a big hit! These layered designs are so cool to design that I kept thinking about what my next 3D project would be. I was sitting out on my deck the other day when I noticed a hummingbird flying around my garden. That was the inspiration I needed! Hummingbirds are brightly-colored birds known for their ability to flap their wings at an incredible speed making it almost a blur to see. This five-layered hummingbird SVG design is easily made using different colors of cardstock that could mimic the bright colors of the birds!
When I first shared this pretty hummingbird, many of you asked if I had other 3D layered designs like this — I saw requests for turtles and anchors. I do not currently have these, but you could make them yourself in Design Space. I show you how to do it in my Custom Cut workshop if you’re interested in learning!
So while you can make a 3D layered design from pretty much any shape, I wanted to create a hummingbird because they represent perseverance (traveling 2000 miles at times!) and the infinite (figure 8 wing flap), two concepts near and dear to my heart. In some cultures, hummingbirds are even thought to be signs of love and messengers from heaven. Hummingbirds are little reminders to pursue your dreams and overcome your obstacles!
If you’re interested in making the hummingbird SVG layered design, you’ll find it is quite easy as it has just the five layers of cardstock. This is a great project if you’re a beginner to the 3D layered designs, as the fewer the layers, the easier it is to figure out. Your cutting machine does most of the hard work for you!
Let me show you how easy it is to use my hummingbird SVG to make a 3D layered project. This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.
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Materials to Create a Layered Project Using My Hummingbird SVG Design
- 65 – 80 lb. 8.5″ x 11″ Cardstock (I used this exact paper)
- Foam Spacers
- Cricut XL Scraper Tool
- Craft knife or scissors
- A cutting mat for your Cricut (green or blue works, just make sure it’s sticky!)
- A way to cut your paper (I used the Cricut Maker cutting machine but they can also be cut on a Cricut Explore or Cricut Joy)
- Design #234 – My free SVG design files (available in my free resource library—get the password by filling out the form at the bottom of this page)
How to Use my Free Hummingbird SVG to Make a 3D Layered Design
Hummingbird SVG for 3D Layered Design
This five-layered Hummingbird SVG design is surprisingly easy to make from colored cardstock!
Materials
- 65 – 80 lb. Cardstock, poster board, Kraft board, or chipboard (like a cereal box) — get creative!
- Foam spacers (like small foam circles, double-sided foam mounting tape or small pieces of cardboard)
- Design #234 - My free SVG design files (available in my free resource library—get the password by filling out the form at the bottom of this page)
Tools
Instructions
STEP 1: GET MY FREE HUMMINGBIRD SVG FILE
Get the free Hummingbird SVG (Design #234) from my free resource library (get the password to the library in the form at the bottom of this post).
Upload the Hummingbird SVG into Cricut Design Space.
Tip: If you’re not sure how to upload an SVG cut file to Cricut Design Space, watch this helpful video training series I made. If you’re on an iPhone or iPad, here’s how to download and upload SVG files to the Cricut Design Space app.
This is what the hummingbird SVG file looks like when placed in Design Space.
Adjust the size if needed. Similar layered designs are often displayed in shadow box frames. This design contains five layers for you to personalize with different cardstock colors. If you need help resizing this SVG, please see my resizing guide.
STEP 2: CUT OUT YOUR HUMMINGBIRD SVG
Once you have the 3D layered hummingbird's size adjusted to your measurements, you are ready to click "make it." For the material, select the intricate cut setting for cardstock. This setting worked perfectly for me.
Gently remove each layer from the mat. (Take a look at this tip if you're having issues with your cardstock curling or ripping.)
As you cut your layers, each design will leave behind cut-out pieces on your mat. I used my extra large Cricut scraper tool to easily remove those pieces.
These are the layers you’ll have when you’re done cutting:
If you have any issues cutting, check out my Cutting Problems Guide because it tells you all the tips I use to get clean cuts consistently.
STEP 3: ASSEMBLE THE HUMMINGBIRD SVG DESIGN
Now that you have your five pieces cut, you'll want to apply double-sided foam adhesive to the backside of Layers 1 through 4. I cut strips of foam adhesive with scissors.
This is how I applied the adhesive foam to Layer 4 of the hummingbird.
Center and place Layer 4 on top Layer 5. TIP: As you place the layers on one another, lay them down lightly so you can adjust your placement, if needed, then press to the underlying layer.
Add adhesive foam to Layer 3.
Place Layer 3 on top of Layer 4.
Continue placing the layers one on top of the other. Refer to the file in Cricut Design Space for placement. Below you'll see how I placed the foam adhesive on Layer 2.
Place Layer 2 on top of Layer 3.
And here is Layer 1.
Place Layer 1 on top Layer 2 to complete the design.
STEP 4: Show it Off
You can put your 3D Layered Hummingbird SVG project in a shadow box and put vinyl on the glass or put it on a reverse canvas. The glitter cardstock layer is a great way to add a little bit of sparkle to your design.
Here is my layered hummingbird mandala fully assembled.
Here’s a detail of the 3d layered hummingbird SVG mandala.
Notes
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks to the JenniferMaker Design Fairy Team, specifically Design Fairy Kelly, for helping me design and assemble this beautiful hummingbird SVG layered design.
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Get my free Hummingbird SVG file to make a 3D Layered Design.
Are you looking for a different 3D layered design? You could learn how to make your own in any shape you want in my comprehensive Custom Cut workshop. Learn more about the workshop at https://makeracademy.com/custom-cut. I’d love to see your project using my free Hummingbird SVG. Please share a photo in our Cricut group or tag me on social media with #jennifermaker.
Love,
Want to remember this? Save my free Hummingbird SVG design tutorial to your favorite Pinterest Board!
Can you do this with vinyl instead of card stock? I’m trying to get ready to decorate the house with some vinyl decor on my walls.
You can definitely make this with vinyl, Shaunda!
This is so beautiful! And. perfect… I have promised to show a friend how to use her cutting machine next month and this will be one of the projects that we will make. Thank you.
I’m so happy to hear that you like the design, Sue!
Dear Jennifer,
I am new to this product line and want to purchase my first Cricut. My problem is that there are several machines and I want to purchase one that does the most in one machine. I went on the website but didn’t see a good description as to what each machine does. With having to limit my time in store, I wanted to seek your expertise on which machine I could purchase to do the most for me. I am a very experienced crafter, seamstress and love to make my own greeting cards and hangable art. I have enjoyed receiving your emails and would like to be able to make some of the projects. I got started with your no-sew face masks at the onset of the pandemic. My two co-workers and I made over 300 masks for homebound seniors in our area. I thank you for helping us achieve this goal in a time when doing something good for others made all the difference for us!
Hi Kathy, I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed the no-sew design. If you want help choosing the best Cricut for you, I have an article that will help you at https://jennifermaker.com/best-cricut-machine-buy/. If you are on Facebook, you can also ask for advice in my free private Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/cricutcraftersandmakers/. I hope that helps!
I got password, signed in and still can’t get the hummingbird cut file.
Hi Linda, my SVGs Made Simple video and workbook 1 will give you step-by-step directions to download my files. If you need additional help, please reach out to my communications heroes at [email protected]. I want to do my best to help you so you can download the design!
I downloaded the files and extracted from the zip, but do not see any SVG files?
Hi Wanda, you should see a file that ends with -SVG.svg. My SVGs Made Simple Video 1 will give you directions to help you download my files. If you need more assistance, you can reach my Communications Heroes at [email protected]. I will do my best to help you get started with the project!
How do I save to my computer
Hi Barbara, Video 1 in my SVGs Made Simple training series will walk you through the process to download and save any of my free designs to your computer or device! https://jennifermaker.lpages.co/the-joy-of-svgs-all-access-pass/. If you still have any questions, you can email me at [email protected]!
I downloaded the hummingbird, and cut all 5, but it didn’t cut the pieces out of the bird, but rather cutted a bunch of shapes along the sides and bottom of the paper. The birds are all cut out as a solid piece. What did I do wrong?
Barbara! Please reach out to my team at [email protected] with photos of what you experienced so they can help you better!