String Art Patterns For Beginners – No Nails Needed!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE String Art DESIGN FILES

First, download my free String Art SVG/PDF/DXF collection from my resource library -- it's Design #472.

The download folder includes PDFs to cut by hand, and DXF or SVG files for use with a cutting machine. I'll show you how to use the SVGs with a Cricut.

Upload the SVG file to Cricut Design Space and add it to your Canvas. There are two larger circles, both with hearts with smaller holes around their perimeters.

Since both pieces are identical, one will be used for the front and the other for the back, and foam dotted together for strength.

TIP: 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

This is what my String Art Heart SVG file looks like on my Canvas. You can zoom out to see all of the design by clicking on the minus (-) sign on the lower left. There is also a file for a Flower design. Today we are making the Heart design.

I'm making my design in dark red cardstock. You can choose whatever colors you like and change the necessary layers using the color box at the top.

That's it! The design is ready to cut!

There is also a file for a paper stand that works great to set this on your desk at work, or at home. You can change the operation of the center line to Score and keep the other layer Basic Cut. Select them both and then click Attach. Make two for a really sturdy stand.

STEP 3: CUT YOUR DESIGN

Make sure you have the right machine selected and click "Make It."

If prompted, click "On Mat," "12 in x 12 in," and "Confirm."

If you're using the same cardstock as I am, make sure the Material Size is "12 in x 12 in" for everything.

Click back on the first mat and click "Continue."

On the Make screen, I used the "Medium Cardstock" setting for all my mats.

To find it, click "Browse All Materials" and type "Medium Cardstock" in the search bar. Then select the result, click "Apply."
Change the Pressure at "More."

My layers cut well on a green StandardGrip machine mat, but if you have trouble getting clean cuts try the blue LightGrip mat. Place your cardstock face up on the mat and use a brayer to make sure it's fully adhered.

Check that your Fine-Point Blade is clean and in Clamp B. Then, load the mat into the machine and press "Go."

When the cut is finished, unload the mat, flip it over, and roll it back to release the cardstock. This helps prevent the material from curling and ripping.

The front and backs of the cardstock are the same, choose a side that looks best.

Now take your weeding tool and poke out any of the holes that did not come out all the way. Make sure no stray cutouts are on either piece.

You can use the stand file to cut a simple stand for your String Art. You can change the operation of the center line to Score and keep the other layer Basic Cut. Select them both and then click Attach. Make two for a really sturdy stand.

STEP 4: ASSEMBLE THE LAYERS

Here's what my cut pieces for the String Art design look like.

Stack the circles on top of each other. Confirm the small holes line up. Place circle one (front) down, and apply small adhesive foam dots to it. 6-12 work great in this 6" circle. Now take circle one and place it on top of circle two (back) continuing to confirm all the small holes stay aligned. Gently press the back with your hand to assure the foam dots have been applied with enough pressure for secure adhesion.

This double sided circle offers much more strength for our embroidery floss or macrame chord. You can use craft glue, but I find that adhesive dots make the cardstock more rigid.

Now we are ready for string art!

I'm sure you've seen string art before done with nails, or even a paper punch-card style like the ones I will create today.

I used a simple heart shape with holes going around. Today I will show you this Valentine's Day heart motif.

I've found that macrame chord works slightly better than embroidery floss. Floss is easier to find and works OK, but does tend to get tangled, and isn't quit as finished looking as the waxed, 1mm macrame cord.

Thread a few feet of macrame chord (1mm) on an embroidery needle small enough to fit into the holes, but with an eye large enough to thread the 1mm macrame chord.

Tie a knot on one end. Thread the needle through the back circle's top hole and make sure the knot catches and is larger than the hole. Take the needle and thread across the heart into the bottom hole directly below the top hole on the front side.

Pull to make sure the cord stays taut but not too much as the cardstock can curl with too much force. You can also feed the length through your other hand keeping tension as to limit knots when feeding. I flip mine over each time so threading is consistent.

Now insert the needle into the previous hole creating an overlap across the heart. Continue this simple pattern all the way around the heart until you reach the last hole. Tie off at the back and you are done. If you started with the top and bottom holes, you should have equal matching holes and there should be no empty holes, or you started in the wrong place. You could start diagonally, but symmetry is needed to finish with no empty holes.

The heart design should be able to be completed with a few feet of length, but if you run short, simply tie off at the back, and knot another length and start where you left off to complete the heart.

The flower design is very similar to the heart, but has eight sides, with eight larger holes for each petal. The larger holes will get strung through repeatedly, one for each hole on the petal. String back to front, just like the heart. The flower requires much more length than the heart. The heart can be strung with a few feet of length and tying off is not necessary. But I was successful stringing each petal and tying each one off. You can string two petals at a time, but any more adds too much length and the project becomes cumbersome.

If you cut the optional stand, fold each one along the score line, then simply foam dot the two stands together for rigidity. Crease the stands enough for the string art to fit perfectly without touching the bottom surface.

STEP 6: SHOW THEM OFF!

You could mount these on the wall, give then away as a gift, use our desk stand SVG, or even place into a lighted shadowbox like our December 2022 tutorial.

Enjoy your String Art year-round and think of the possible patterns and shapes achievable! With this universal symbol of love, you can't go wrong giving it to that special someone on Valentine's Day.