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 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)
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.
Cricut Design Space Instructions
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.
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.
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 and Cutting with a Cricut
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.
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 the Feathers
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.
Want to print the paper feather instructions? Try the card below!
Supplies
- Cricut Explore computer, and internet connection
- White card stock
- Pen or marker I used gold
- Scissors
- Feather SVG File
Instructions
- Choose a feather image and import the image into the Cricut Design Space.
- Now add text to the image of your choice and put that text right over the top of your feathers. Click that text layer and pick WRITE instead of CUT.
- Be sure the text is positioned just how you want it to be. Then, pick the feather and the text by holding down the shift key and clicking both. Click “ATTACH” and your feather is now ready for cutting and writing.
- Insert your marker into the Cricut Explore before continuing.
- With the cap removed and the clamp open, place the marker into the Cricut Explore firmly so that it seats all the way down.
- Put your cardstock on the mat. Pick a cardstock setting in Design Space. Use the arrow button to load your mat then click go to cut.
- Then, use a pair of scissors to give the feather more fringe.
These look great! I love how easy it was using the Cricut.
those are gorgeous! I love that the writing was done right there with the cutting all in one process. Anything that will save the world from my awful handwriting is a VERY good thing. 😉
I love how the pen will write for you on the design! Love the gold look too.
Cute! I love them displayed in the bowl.
I love how these turned out Angie! So pretty!
Super cute idea, Angie!! And very on trend. 🙂
Lovely for a Thanksgiving banner!
So cool! I especially love how it writes with the pen! Wow!
Nancy
I love this! They look so great and would be perfect for a Thanksgiving table.
I love anything involving feathers — these are super cute!