3D Layered Paper Heart Mandala made from Cardstock and - Free SVG Cut File to Cut on a Cricut

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Learn how easy it is to make 3D layered heart mandala paper art that looks amazing! These mesmerizing multilayered designs look stunning but are surprisingly easy to make.

3D layered mandalas are everywhere all over the place recently. Paper mandalas are very popular and I think this layered heart mandala will fit in perfect with my 3D layered mandalas and my Easter egg mandalas as well. One of my favorite things about this layered heart mandala is that it is SO easy to put together! This heart mandala is so popular that I decided to put a similar design on a shirt as well!

What makes it so easy is that your Cricut cutting machine does most of the hard work for you in cutting out the little details — all you have to do is stack the layers and attach them together. 3D paper mandalas are really much easier than they look and carry an impressive “wow” factor to friends and family!

3D Layered Paper Heart Mandala made from Cardstock and - Free SVG Cut File to Cut on a Cricut

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Watch the layered heart mandala assembled in just six minutes in this quick video:

Get the free SVG cut file for this project

Pretty layered heart mandala made from red, white, and pink cardstock -- free SVG Cut File

You can make the 3D paper layered heart mandala big or make them small. I’ve made them as big as 11.5″ wide and as small as 4.5″ wide. You decide! I have included two different size mandalas so you have even more flexibility.

All you need is basic cardstock and a way to keep them together, like glue or spray adhesive. If you want to get the 3D look, you use spacers in between the layers — you can use foam mounting tape, pre-cut adhesive foam circles or squares, or just bits of cut cardboard, craft foam, or layered cardstock.

The secret to getting a beautiful look is to apply the spacers to the underside of each layer — that way you won’t see the spacers peeking through once it’s all put together.

I used a Cricut cutting machine to cut my cardstock, along with the fine point blade and a standard grip cutting mat.

Layered mandala heart on a pretty pink wall

And that’s all you need.

Let me show you how easy it is make my layered heart mandala! 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.

Materials to Make a Layered Heart Mandala

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How to Make a Layered Heart Mandala

This is my heart mandala

Heart Mandala

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $7

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE HEART MANDALA FILE

First, download design #282 which is my free Heart Mandala SVG/DXF/PDF from my free resource library. If you're going to cut it on your cutting machine, upload the file to your design software. This is what the Layered Heart Mandala SVG file looks like in Cricut Design Space.

The free layered heart mandala SVG cut file uploaded to 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.

STEP 2: CUT THE HEART LAYERS

In Cricut Design Space, click the green "Make It" button to begin cutting your heart mandala. I used 80 lb. cardstock setting for all layers except razzleberry. For that cardstock I selected heavy cardstock 100 lb. I always choose more pressure for everything I cut.

STEP 3: ASSEMBLE THE HEART MANDALA

The layered heart mandala design consists of six layers. Gather your cut pieces, foam adhesive, and a weeding tool to remove any pieces that may be stuck in the cut design.

These are the supplies you'll need to assemble my heart mandala

Begin by placing the foam adhesive squares on the back of the fifth layer.

Place layer five on top of layer six.

Place the fifth layer on top the sixth layer to make my heart mandala

Get layer four and add foam adhesive squares.

Add adhesive foam squares to the back of layer four to make my heart mandala

Place layer four on top of layer five.

Place layer four on top of layer five to make my heart mandala

Add foam adhesive squares to the back of layer three.

Add foam adhesive squares to the back side of layer three to make my heart mandala

Place layer three on top of layer four.

Place layer three onto layer four to make my heart mandala

Add the foam adhesive squares to the back of layer two.

Add adhesive foam square to the back of layer two to make my heart mandala

Place layer two on top of layer three.

Place layer two on top of layer three to make my heart mandala

For layer one, you will find it necessary to cut the adhesive foam square using a craft knife to make thin strips so the foam adhesive does not show.

Add foam adhesive squares to the back of layer one to make my heart mandala

Align and place layer one on top of layer two.

Place layer one on top of layer two to make my heart mandala

I added my heart mandala to a shadow box frame. I used the same adhesive foam squares and added them to the back of the mandala.

Add adhesive foam squares to the back of layer six to add to a frame for my heart mandala

Note: You may want to use more than I did, as I noticed later that my mandala had slipped a little. So be really generous with the adhesive!

I then centered the heart mandala onto the back of the frame.

Center the heart mandala onto the back of the shadow ox frame

And this is what my finished Layered Heart Mandala looks like framed.

This is what my heart mandala looks like framed

I've also included design files to cut four smaller heart mandalas. Here is what these look like. Which do you like better?

For the smaller heart mandalas, you'll need to cut the foam adhesive extremely small for the first layer using a craft knife. As an alternate you could glue this layer instead.

STEP 4: Show it Off

Where will you display your heart mandala? This project makes a nice gift for a special loved one.

Notes

Finished size of the large mandala is 9.79" wide by 9.495" high

Finished size of the four smaller mandalas as a group are 9.241" wide by 9.027" high

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special thanks to the JenniferMaker Design Fairy Team, specifically Design Fairy Caitlin, for helping me design and assemble this awesome design.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Answers to Your Questions About Making a Layered Heart Mandala

Q: Would this layered heart mandala work on any other cutting machines like a Brother Scan N Cut?
Yes, our patterns work on ANY cutting machine that can read SVG or DXF files — many people with Scan ‘N’ Cut machines have cut my designs.

Q: Can I cut this on a Cricut Joy?
Yes, just resize the grouped layers in the large file (they are grouped by default) to 4.5″ or less and you can cut it on your Joy!

Q: What kind of cardstock can I use for the heart mandala?
You can use any quality cardstock. I used 80 lb. cardstock for this project but you can use anything from 65 lb. to 100 lb. cardstock.

Q: How do you know what colors to use?
This is a perfect project to bring out your personality and creativity! Have fun and see what combinations you can come up with that fit your home and style! Experiment in Design Space to find the color combinations you like best.

Q: What kind of adhesive will work best?
I used foam mount on this 3D paper layered heart mandala. Glue dots (“zots”) or foam tape can work too! You just want something with some depth so it stands up off each layer.

Get my free SVG files to Make a Layered Heart Mandala

I know you’re going to LOVE this layered heart mandala, and I can’t wait to see all of your color variations! Please do share a photo of your mandala in our Facebook group or tag me on social media with #jennifermaker.

Love,

JenniferMaker.com

Want to remember this? Save this Layered Heart Mandala template to your favorite Pinterest Board!

3D Layered Paper Heart Mandala made from Cardstock and - Free SVG Cut File to Cut on a Cricut

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18 Comments

  1. Help! I’ve downloaded the pattern several times, but it uploads into Design Space as a single layer – what am I doing wrong??

  2. I wanted to use the layered heart mandala on the front of a card for my husband. I loved how easy it was—I’d never done one before. But the top layer was sooooo thin that there was no way to pop it up—I had resized it to fit on a 6” square card. I ran it through my xyron, figuring that it would still look good without being popped up. It did, but of course there was all that extra glue! So I cut a heart out of a piece of acetate (I save it from packaging) and put that on top. It worked perfectly! Thank you, Jennifer, for your great designs! I would add a picture but don’t know how to do that from my iPad.

  3. I love the mandalas you have designed and created. I am curious to find out how hard they are to design and what steps are required.

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