How to Make Paper Feathers with a Cricut

Learn how to make paper feathers with your Cricut machine. These paper feathers are the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving decor or nature-inspired holiday. Made with a Cricut template, you can display everything you are thankful for and share it with your friends and family. I used a gold marker in my Cricut, however, you can use any pen color that matches your Fall decor.

This one was first published on October 17, 2014, however, I am republishing it with more information.

How To Make Paper Feathers

This is such a cute Thanksgiving craft and a great reminder for everything we are thankful for! I chose to write grateful, give thanks, and blessings, but you can choose any text you like. Try family members’ names or challenge your family to write one blessing on a feather every day.

Print out as many as you like and have your whole family write a blessing on the feather at Thanksgiving Dinner!

Supplies Needed To Make Paper Feathers

• Cricut Explore, computer, and internet connection (any Cricut machine will work for making these paper feathers)
• White card stock
• Gold metallic pen that will work in your Cricut (see how to use a wide variety of pens in your machine here)
• Scissors
• Feather SVG file (you can get it for free below)

Download Free Feather SVG File

You can get the feather SVG file sent to your email address by signing up for the newsletter below. Look for a form with a picture of the file you need and add in your information. If you already get the newsletter, just add in your information again as you will not be signed up for anything further. Check your email to get your file after you sign up. Then you can upload it to your Cricut machine following the tutorial here.

Please note that this file is for personal use only. You can contact me if you have any issues getting your file.

Cricut Paper Feathers

Now it is time to make feathers for your Fall decor. Follow along below to put the feathers into Design Space and make each one.

Step 1: Upload Feather Images To Cricut Design Space

Choose a feather image and import the image into the Cricut Design Space.

Step 2: Add Text To Feathers

Once you have the feathers in Design Space, you will need to add the text of your choice to each one. Add text in any font then put that text right over the top of your feathers. Click that text layer and pick WRITE instead of CUT. If you don’t want the font to be an outline, you will need to find a single-line font to use.

Step 3: Click Attach

Be sure the text is positioned just how you want it to be. Then, pick the feather and the text both at the same time. Click “ATTACH” to put the two together. Your feather is now ready for cutting and writing.

Step 4: Click Make It

When you click Make It in the Cricut software you should see your feathers with writing on top. If it does not appear to be together, you will want to go back and make sure everything is attached together.

Writing & Cutting With A Cricut

Step 1: Insert Marker Into Cricut Machine

You are going to need to insert your marker into the Cricut Explore before continuing. There are only certain markers that will work properly with this machine. I did extensive research before purchasing the Recollections brand. Please do your research if you are going with a different brand. You can also see my hack for using other markers here.

Place the marker into the Cricut Explore firmly so that it seats all the way down. NOTE:  The cap is removed and I opened the clamp before inserting it. Pick the cardstock setting in Cricut Design Space to begin cutting.

Step 2: Load Paper Into Your Cricut

Add your paper to the Cricut mat and load it into your Cricut. Click the arrow button to load the mat and hit “GO” on the Cricut Explore. You can see the machine writing before it starts to cut. If it is NOT writing first then the marker is probably not seated properly. Stop the machine and readjust.

Finishing Paper Feathers

Step 1: Give Feather More Fringe

The cut feather will look like the top feather in the image below. But we want it to look more like the bottom feather. Just use a pair of scissors to give the feather more fringe.

Now that you have your gorgeous handmade paper feathers what are you going to do with them? Well, they make fabulous holiday home decor. I like stringing them up as a banner or just laying them in a bowl.

You can also use them for your Thanksgiving table setting this year.

You could even add names to the feathers instead and use this idea as place cards for your Thanksgiving meal. There are so many ways to use paper feathers this Fall!

Whichever you choose, these handmade paper feathers are sure to be a hit in your home. Will you make paper feathers for your home? Where will you use your creations? Be sure to pick up the Cricut Explore as it makes it so much easier to make these beauties!

You could also make these with themes for other times of the year. Try some holiday words for your Christmas tree or just plain without text for any time of the year.

So, grab your cardstock and a pen for your Cricut machine to make something amazing for Fall and Thanksgiving. You will love how these paper feathers look in your farmhouse-style home!

FAQs About Paper Feathers

If you have questions about making these paper feathers, I have answers for you! Please leave your question for me in the comments if you don’t see it already answered below.

Can I Change The Size Of This Project?

Yes, you can! Depending on how you are going to use your paper feathers, you can make them smaller or bigger in Cricut Design Space.

What Cricut Machine Can I Use For This Project?

All of them! The Cricut Maker, Cricut Explore series, Cricut Joy, Cricut Joy Xtra, and Cricut Venture, can all use Cricut Pens!

The only thing to keep in mind is that each Cricut machine is different in regard to the pens it uses. To learn more about using Cricut pens with your Cricut machine, check out our blog post titled How to Use Cricut Pens in ANY Cricut Machine.

Do You Have More Resources About How To Use Cricut Design Space?

Yes, I do! Check out the blog posts below to learn more about how to use Cricut Design Space.

• What is Cricut Design Space? How Does It Work?
• How To Use Cricut Design Space Guides
• How to Use Cricut Design Space for Desktop

Does Cricut Make Metallic Pens?

Yes, they do! You can buy Cricut pens in colors ranging from your classic colors (black, blue, etc.) to metallics (gold, silver, etc.) and even glitter-gel!

I just used Recollections in the project because I had it on hand.

Can I Change The Colors In This Project?

Absolutely! However, the only thing to keep in mind is that you want to be able to read the word you are writing on your feather. So, you will want to use a cardstock and pen color that coordinates well with each other.

5 Thanksgiving Crafts

Did you love learning how to make paper feathers, and are looking for even more Thanksgiving crafts? Then check out the ideas below!

• Fall Mason Jars You Need to Make This Year
• Free Printable Thanksgiving Placemat
• Quick Fall Place Setting with Foil Accents
• Make Your Own Thanksgiving Kitchen Towel with Your Cricut
• Thankful Tree Idea with Photos