Quick Answer: The best felt for Cricut and die cutting machines is 1.6mm acrylic felt. Use the rotary blade on Cricut Maker (or deep-cut blade on Silhouette) with medium-high pressure. Avoid wool felt for die cutting as it's too thick and dense for clean cuts.
Die cutting felt opens up endless craft possibilities — ornaments, appliques, letters, shapes, and layered designs. But not all felt works with cutting machines. This guide covers which felt to use, exact machine settings, and tips for perfect cuts every time.
Which Felt Works with Cutting Machines?
| Felt Type | Cricut Compatible | Silhouette Compatible | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6mm Acrylic Felt | Yes (rotary blade) | Yes (deep-cut blade) | Die cutting, applique, layered crafts |
| 3.2mm Thick Felt | Not recommended | Not recommended | Hand cutting only, structural projects |
| Wool Felt | Difficult | Difficult | Hand cutting, heirloom crafts |
| Polyester Felt | Varies | Varies | Budget crafts (may fray) |
Our 1.6mm acrylic felt is specifically manufactured for consistent thickness and clean cuts — essential for die cutting accuracy.
Cricut Machine Settings for Felt
Cricut Maker (Rotary Blade)
- Material: Select "Felt" from materials list
- Blade: Rotary blade (NOT fine-point or deep-cut)
- Pressure: Default or "More" pressure
- Passes: 1 pass for 1.6mm felt (2 passes if cuts aren't clean)
- Mat: Pink FabricGrip mat or purple StrongGrip mat
Cricut Explore (Deep-Cut Blade)
- Material: Set to "Felt" or custom material
- Blade: Deep-cut blade
- Pressure: Maximum
- Passes: 2-3 passes recommended
- Mat: StrongGrip mat
- Note: Cricut Explore works but Maker gives cleaner results with rotary blade
Silhouette Cameo
- Blade: Deep-cut blade (standard blade won't cut through)
- Speed: 4
- Force/Pressure: 33
- Passes: 2 passes
- Mat: Strong tack mat
Tips for Perfect Felt Cuts
- Clean blade: Felt fibers build up on blades — clean after every 3-4 cuts
- Stick it down: Press felt firmly onto mat. Use a brayer for even adhesion
- Simple designs: Start with shapes larger than 1 inch. Intricate details under 0.5 inch may not cut cleanly
- Mirror NOT needed: Felt has no right/wrong side, so don't mirror your design
- Remove carefully: Peel felt slowly from mat. Use a spatula for delicate pieces
- Replace mat grip: If felt stops sticking, reapply adhesive or use a new mat
Project Ideas for Die-Cut Felt
- Holiday ornaments (Christmas, Easter, Halloween)
- Name banners and garlands
- Applique shapes for clothing and bags
- Felt flowers and bouquets
- Educational shapes for kids (letters, numbers, animals)
- Layered felt cards and gift tags
Where to Buy Die-Cutting Felt
Shop our 1.6mm acrylic felt by the yard in 40+ colors. For bulk projects, our 20-yard felt rolls offer up to 42% savings. Free U.S. shipping over $49.99
Acrylic vs. Wool vs. Wool-Blend Felt for Cutting Machines
The felt type matters more than the machine. Here is how the three common felts behave under a rotary or deep-cut blade, so you can decide before you buy:
| Felt Type | Cut Quality | Cost | Colors | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic (1.6mm) | Cleanest — consistent thickness, no natural fiber to snag the blade | Lowest | Widest range (40+) | Everyday die cutting, kids' crafts, layered designs |
| Wool-blend | Good, with a slightly fuzzier edge | Mid | Muted, heathered tones | Ornaments and décor where a premium look matters |
| 100% Wool | Hardest to cut cleanly — dense and often thicker than 1.6mm | Highest | Limited | Hand-cut heirloom pieces, not machine cutting |
The takeaway: for machine cutting, 1.6mm acrylic felt is the reliable default. Wool-blend earns its extra cost when the finished piece is on display and you want a richer texture. Save 100% wool for projects you cut by hand.
One trade-off to know: acrylic felt can pill under heavy handling, while wool resists pilling but can shrink if it gets damp and warm. For die-cut shapes that are glued down and left alone — ornaments, appliqué, letters — pilling is rarely an issue.
Stabilizing Felt for Intricate Cuts
Felt's soft, lofty structure is exactly why small letters and thin shapes tear instead of cut. Stabilizing firms the felt for the pass, then comes away clean. Three methods, easiest first:
- Freezer paper (free and reusable): Iron the shiny side onto the back of the felt with a dry iron on medium. It bonds temporarily, holds the fibers flat during the cut, then peels off. This alone lets most machines cut shapes down to about ¼ inch.
- Fusible web (Heat'n Bond, Wonder Under): Fuse it to the back of the felt before cutting. You get crisp edges and a peel-and-stick adhesive backing — ideal for appliqué you will iron onto a bag or shirt afterward.
- Spray stabilizer or starch: A few light coats stiffen the surface for cleaner cuts. It is the least durable option but needs no ironing and washes out.
Whatever you use, keep detailed designs above ¼ inch and expect to add a pass. Stabilizer plus a fresh blade is the combination that makes fine felt cutting reliable.
How Much Felt Do You Need?
Buying felt by the yard goes much further than the pre-cut 9" x 12" craft-store sheets most Cricut projects start with. Our acrylic felt is 72 inches wide, so a single yard equals roughly 24 of those sheets. Rough guides:
- Ornaments / small shapes: ¼ yard cuts dozens
- Name banner or garland: about ½ yard, depending on letter size
- Appliqué for a quilt or bag set: ½ to 1 yard across colors
- Classroom or party batch (100+ shapes): a full yard or a felt roll
Buying one color by the yard also keeps your shapes color-matched across an entire project — something separate sheet packs cannot guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cricut Joy cut felt?
Cricut Joy is not recommended for felt cutting. It lacks the pressure and blade options needed for clean felt cuts. Use Cricut Maker or Explore Air 2 instead.
Why is my Cricut tearing felt instead of cutting?
Common causes: dull blade (replace it), insufficient pressure (increase to "More"), felt not adhered to mat (press firmly with brayer), or wrong blade type (use rotary blade on Maker).
Can I use iron-on vinyl on felt?
Yes, but use low heat and peel cold. Acrylic felt can handle low-temperature iron-on application. Test a small piece first. Avoid high heat as acrylic felt may scorch.
Should I use the rotary or fine-point blade for felt?
Use the rotary blade on a Cricut Maker whenever you can — it rolls through felt fibers for the cleanest edge. The fine-point blade drags and tends to snag, so it is not recommended for felt. On machines without a rotary option (Cricut Explore, Silhouette), use the deep-cut blade with extra passes.
Is acrylic or wool felt better for Cricut?
Acrylic felt cuts more cleanly and reliably on cutting machines because it has a consistent 1.6mm thickness and no natural fibers to catch the blade. Wool and wool-blend felt look more premium but are denser and fuzzier to cut. For most Cricut projects, 1.6mm acrylic is the better choice.
How do I keep felt from fuzzing on the cut edges?
Fuzzy edges usually mean a dull blade or too much pressure. Replace or clean the blade, drop to the lowest pressure that still cuts through, and stabilize the felt with freezer paper first. Acrylic felt naturally frays less than polyester felt, another reason it is preferred for die cutting.
Shop Acrylic Felt by the yard
Continuous cuts, no seams. Free U.S. shipping over $49.99.
Shop Acrylic Felt →