Learn how to make a custom photo mat with the Cricut machine. This is easy even for beginners. This post contains affiliate links which, when purchased through, add no cost to the consumer but help support this site to bring more fun crafty tutorials.
Has anyone started a new quarantine hobby? I picked up an old hobby and made it new with a fun Stitch People project. I love handmade items that have a personal element, and this definitely fit the bill. I knew that I wanted to display the needlework in an 8×10 white frame that was matted to a 5×7. However, when I placed the finished product in the mat, there wasn’t quite enough space in the mat. I attempted to shave the mat to open up more space, but the edges were too jagged. Luckily, having a Cricut machine means I could make my own mat in minutes.
Supplies:
- Cricut machine – A Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore Air machine will work for making a card stock mat.
- Card stock – A light to medium weight will work great.
- Cricut Cutting Mat – The type is determined by the card stock weight. Most light weight card stocks will use the LightGrip Cutting Mat, but higher weight card stocks may use a StandardGrip Cutting Mat.
- Measuring tape
First, determine the size of mat that you need. I needed an 8×10 mat with a 5.8″ by 7″ opening.
Open up Cricut Design Space, and begin a new project. Place a square on the mat, and click the “unlock” icon on the lower left corner of the square.
Resize the square to the full size of the mat. For me, this is an 8×10.
You should now have one rectangle on the Design Space.
Add another square to the project. Click the “unlock” icon on the lower left corner of the square. Resize this square to the size of the opening. In my case, this was 5.8″ by 7.”
Place the second rectangle precisely in the center of the first rectangle. Use the grid to help line it up to be exact.
Select both rectangles. Click “slice.”
Delete all rectangles except the outer frame mat portion.
Sent the project to the Cricut machine for cutting.
Remove any unnecessary card stock to reveal the mat.
Frame your work!
For more Cricut related tutorials, check out my Cricut Project Page!
