Whipperberry

WhipperBerry • Your Home For Creative Inspiration

Review

Rebecca Page Pattern Reviews – Maybe They Just Don’t Cut It

12 · · Leave a Comment

Rebecca Page, the person, seems to be a good person overall. But, the business and the customer service leave a lot to be desired. Read the rest of this article to find out why and to see where you should sign up instead of at RebeccaPage.

What is Rebecca Page?

Rebecca Page is a designer/craft blogger who has had a lifelong passion for sewing. In fact, she tells the story on her website of being an 8-year-old little girl who dreamed of sewing her own wedding dress someday. Now, her online business features sewing and other crafting patterns, tutorials and classes, and a monthly subscription service for her sewing patterns.

On the Rebecca Page website, you’ll find links to sewing patterns, crochet patterns, craft ideas, tutorials and classes, blog articles, and shopping links for fabric and notions. Also on her website is an option to subscribe to her patterns, so you’ll have access to one free pattern each month. 

If you’re short on time I’ll say this…

I would skip Rebecca-Page’s subscription. I’ve written reviews of other pattern sites and schools that I like much better. You can find one of those reviews here.


What’s Included In A Rebecca Page Subscription?

When you subscribe to Rebecca Page’s Sewing Patterns, you get one “pattern credit” each month. One “pattern credit” allows you to purchase and download any pattern from the website. New patterns are released each month, but if the new releases aren’t appealing you can choose from any sewing pattern available. If you don’t want to purchase any patterns in a given month, you just save your credits. They’ll remain in your account for 365 days from when you receive them. 


Home Much Does A Rebecca Page Subscription Cost?

There are three price options for a subscription to Rebecca Page Sewing Patterns.

The monthly option is $10 a month, and it is automatically rebilled on a monthly basis. With this option, you are paying $10 for one “pattern credit” a month; essentially this means you’re paying $10 per pattern. If you decide not to continue the subscription, you can cancel at any time.

The six-month option is $48, and is automatically rebilled every 6 months. This price works out to paying just $8 per month, or $8 for each pattern. This option also allows you to cancel at any time before the end of your billing cycle.

The twelve-month option is $78, and is automatically rebilled every 12 months. This price is equal to paying $6.50 each month, or $6.50 for each sewing pattern. Like the other subscription options, you can cancel at any time. The price of $6.50 for a sewing pattern is a great value, but definitely browse through the pattern selections to see if Rebecca Page’s style is right for you before committing to this plan.

If you decide to cancel your subscription, it can be done at any time before your next billing cycle. If you have a 6-month or 12-month subscription, they do not issue refunds for unused subscription time or any unused pattern credits you haven’t spent. Any unused pattern credits will remain in your account until you use them, or until they expire.

Rebecca Page Patterns

Rebecca Page has sewing patterns primarily for women’s clothing. Her styles are very feminine, featuring flowing styles accented with ruffles and other “girly” design touches. Most of the clothing designs are more suited to casual and “weekend wear”, so if you are looking for patterns for office attire or to build a “professional capsule wardrobe” you might not find as many styles that appeal to you. Many of the designs seem to be styled for younger women, so a more mature woman might not find as many appealing patterns.

The women’s clothing patterns from Rebecca Page are definitely inclusive to a variety of body types, with many styles having a fit range from XXS to 5XL. She has also designed patterns for little girls that match some of her women’s clothing styles, making for adorable  “Mommy and Me” outfit options. There are even doll clothes patterns to match some outfits!

There is also a section of sewing patterns that are suitable for maternity and nursing clothing. This is a niche that many sewing pattern subscription services don’t always pay attention to.

In addition to the women’s clothing patterns, which are definitely the majority, there are numerous patterns for children (mostly girls) and men’s clothing available also.

You’ll find sewing patterns from Rebeca Page for more than clothing. There are also patterns for accessories like tote bags and pouches. There are also patterns to create home decor items and soft children’s toys.   

Rebecca Page Classes and Tutorials

Rebecca Page has an extensive amount of video classes and tutorials available on her website. These are not included with a subscription, but most of them are reasonably priced. You can complete them on your own time, at your own pace, and rewatch them as much as you’d like.

There are also video sew-along tutorials for many of her clothing patterns. The sew-alongs are free; you’ll just need to purchase her pattern to go with it. If you are a beginner at sewing, it might be useful to watch a sew-along video before buying a particular pattern, just to see if you think it’s within your range of expertise. When you sign up for a sew-along tutorial, you’ll also be invited to join the private Sew-Along Facebook group. 

 

Is A Subscription To Rebecca Page Patterns Right For You?

Now that we’ve described most of what you will find on Rebecca Page’s website, are you still trying to decide if you should get a pattern subscription? Here are some things to consider.

Rebecca Page sewing patterns are good quality and come in a wide range of sizes. As mentioned earlier in this article, her women’s clothing designs are very feminine and youthful. They’re very size-inclusive, and reviews online are quite favorable. However, before committing to a subscription, browse through the patterns and see if her designs are something you or your family members would enjoy wearing.

Some of her sewing patterns for accessories, such as tote bags and zippered pouches, are cute, but very similar patterns can be found online for free from various crafting websites.

Other than the private Facebook group, there is no online social community for Rebecca Page subscribers. Facebook groups can be fun, but it would be nice to have a social community right on her webpage, similar to what other sewing pattern websites have done.

If you’d like to try a Rebecca Page sewing pattern, you don’t need to sign up for a subscription. You can directly buy any of the patterns on her website. The retail prices range from $10.50 to $16.50. You don’t have to be a subscriber to buy any of her online classes or download the sew-along tutorials, either.

One possible downside to purchasing Rebecca Page sewing patterns (or any online sewing patterns for that matter) is that you’ll need access to a printer for your pattern. Once you buy a pattern, you’ll receive a digital file to download, which you’ll then need to print and piece together to use.

 

Another downside to any sewing pattern subscription is that you end up buying multiple patterns from one single designer. It limits the variety of your wardrobe pieces.

While Rebecca Page designs are very pretty, overall they might not be “right” if you’re wanting to sew a wardrobe of professional/business attire.

Before joining any pattern subscription service, you should decide if you’ll wear numerous clothing items from that designer, especially when the designer has a distinctive style. For more variety in your wardrobe items, and for the ease of not having to print patterns yourself, Joann Fabrics has a large selection of patterns from long-established companies, such as Butterick and McCall’s. Joann Fabrics also has a large selection of online and in-person classes at very affordable prices. 

Seamwork Review – Is it Worth the Cost?

43 · · 1 Comment

 

Should you sign up for Seamwork? Probably not, but you need to read this article all the way through to see why. Here is a quick summary if you’re short on time.

There are better websites online that do the same thing. Seamwork’s site itself isn’t so bad and there are some redeeming qualities, but their customer support doesn’t even reply to you. I emailed them a question over a month ago and still haven’t received a reply. How is that for customer service?

Instead, I’d recommend signing up for Craftsy. They’re much better at customer service and have higher quality options to choose from.

Get Craftsy Now

 

What is Seamwork?

 

Seamwork is a website and subscription service dedicated to sewing your own clothes. From the website, you can read many articles on everything from sewing tips and techniques, to fabrics, wardrobe style, and the creative mindset. You can also browse through their pattern collections, to see if they are the type of clothing you would be interested in sewing for yourself.

Seamwork has a quick quiz for new members, so they can get an idea of your sewing skill level and what type of patterns/clothing you like the best. Based on your answers, they can recommend patterns and tutorials that might best fit your interests. This feature can be especially helpful for beginners who aren’t used to picking out patterns.

There’s one problem big problem though. Seamwork simply isn’t the best site for patterns or classes. Their customer service is extremely lacking. When you compare Seamwork to Craftsy, it’s just not that close.

Get Craftsy Now

How Much Does A Seamwork Subscription Cost?

Seamwork has two subscription options. If you want to be billed once a month with no annual commitment, the cost is $16 per month. This pricing is in line with all other programs of this sort. 

The Unlimited plan is billed annually (once a year), and costs $15 per month, with automatic renewal each year.

The difference between the two plans is that with the monthly plan you get to download two sewing patterns each month, and the annual plan allows you to download an unlimited number of sewing patterns each month. With the annual plan only being $12 more, this seems like a good value at first glance. Still, I’d recommend another service because you simply get more for the money.

Get Craftsy Now


If you decide you want to cancel your membership for either plan, you can do so easily before your next billing cycle. You’ll get to keep any patterns you have already downloaded.

However, Seamwork doesn’t refund any unused time on a membership. For example, if you paid for an annual plan but want to cancel after six months, the cancellation won’t go into effect until your yearly membership has expired.

They won’t cancel your membership immediately and refund six months’ worth of membership back to you. If you’re unsure if a long-term Seamwork membership is right for you, paying monthly might be a better choice.

I don’t see this as a really bad thing overall because it’s standard practice.


What Is Included In A Seamwork Membership?

Here is a list of what is included in a Seamwork membership, along with the estimated value Seamwork describes for each item:

Access to the Seamwork Library of over 200 sewing patterns; valued at a total $3,200.00. This estimated value is based on each pattern having a price of $16.

That’s a reasonable individual price for most clothing patterns. However, a monthly membership only gives you access to two patterns per month. The yearly membership allows you to download as many patterns as you like at any time.

Monthly sew-a-long classes; valued at $1,176.  Sew-a-long classes are great for anyone who is a visual learner, or for anyone at the beginning level of sewing. The value of these classes was based on each class, regardless of duration or difficulty, having a price of $49. 

Support from the Seamwork Team, and access to the Seamwork Online Community; valued at “priceless”. Seamwork has an online community where members can chat, ask questions, and share sewing tips. Additionally, members of the Seamwork web team monitor the online community, and they can be reached via email with any questions or concerns. According to the website, they answer all emails within 24 hours.  Here’s the thing though. They haven’t replied to me and it’s been over a month! 

In addition to the listed items already mentioned, Seamwork is currently advertising the following “bonus” items included with membership:

Over 60 pattern bonus variations; valued at $496.  The Seamwork website describes these as downloadable pattern pieces to get a whole new look from their patterns.

Something to keep in mind is that usually when you purchase sewing patterns from a fabric store, pattern variations (different necklines, sleeve styles, skirt lengths, etc.) are often included with the pattern, and not something you would pay extra money for.

“Design Your Wardrobe 3-Week Program”; valued at $299. This is a  3-week course that runs twice a year. The objective of this course is to plan an entire season of sewing. You can participate with other Seamwork members, or try a self-paced version. This course could be useful if you want to create an extensive wardrobe of clothing items that you can mix and match for different looks.

Discounts at many independent fabric shops; estimated value of $10-$200.

This is a nice bonus for Seamwork members, as independent fabric shops offer fun and unique material that often isn’t available anywhere else. Keep in mind that the fabrics in these shops are usually more expensive than fabric sold in larger stores.

If you’re sewing on a budget, it’s a good idea to compare prices between independent shops and national fabric/craft store chains. Even with a discount at an independent store, you might be able to buy nice fabric for your project for a cheaper price at a larger fabric store.

“Define Your Style” worksheets; valued at $19. These worksheets are a fun idea to help plan what type of clothes you like to wear, and what you plan to sew for yourself. Any craft projects are more enjoyable when your thoughts are organized. 

This all sounds good and well but you can get much more for the money at Craftsy.

Get Craftsy Now


Seamwork Pattern Reviews

Seamwork was started by Sarai Mitnick, the founder/creator of Colette Patterns. In 2014, she closed down her paper pattern business and started the Seamwork website, which focuses not only on patterns but also on sewing knowledge and community. 

Most of the patterns on Seamwork are for basic wardrobe pieces that can be worn together for a variety of stylish looks. With a little planning, this can be a great way to create a stylish custom wardrobe for yourself.

However, because they are “basic” pieces, some of the patterns almost look like variations of previously released patterns.

The clothing styles on the Seamwork website aren’t as varied as you might find elsewhere.

Many online reviewers have reported consistent sizing issues with their patterns. Couple this with the fact that their customer support hasn’t even emailed me back in over a month and you’re sure to have a nightmare on your hands.

The patterns seem to require many fit adjustments, even from experienced sewers. Many have said that the pattern fits are “boxy” and “loose”. Some minor adjustments is always to be expected when sewing your own garments, though.

Based on the sizing issues that are reported and no responses from their customer support, I’m left having to recommend that you don’t join Seamwork but join another program instead that I’ve reviewed as well.

Get Craftsy Now


Is Seamwork Worth The Cost?


If you add up the value of everything included in a Seamwork membership, it comes to a total of over $5,200. Of course, you only get that full value amount if you utilize every pattern, every class, and consistently use the discounts at independent fabric stores.

Some of their given valuations for what a membership includes seem pretty inflated.

For example, adding a dollar amount for pattern variations is odd when you consider that many patterns usually include variations.

A class that has 6-8 lessons has the same dollar value as a class with only 1-2 lessons, according to their website.

So, is Seamwork worth the money? Their membership price isn’t unreasonable if you like their patterns, and don’t mind that you may have to make quite a few sizing adjustments.

Fortunately, you can browse through pictures of their pattern choices to see if they look appealing. The classes range from easy, quick projects to more complex patterns, and there are many free tutorial articles on the website.

If a Seamwork membership looks like something you would possibly enjoy, you might think it could be a good idea to try a month-to-month membership at first. That way, you could cancel if you decide it just isn’t for you…

Well, you’d be right. You could risk it but luckily you read this review first and know you probably shouldn’t. If you really want patterns and sewing classes then you can’t go wrong with Craftsy instead of Seamwork.

Get Craftsy Now

While Seamwork is popular with some users, there are other online sewing resources where you’ll get a better value for the money you spend, especially if you’re a beginner.

For example, Craftsy.com offers sewing patterns and classes that can be accessed through their membership, or purchased individually if you aren’t a member.

The sewing classes offered on their site are not only for clothing items but also for accessories and decorative items. Their classes cover a wide range of topics from the basics of how to use a sewing machine to drafting your own sewing patterns.

Get Craftsy Now

Cricut Mug Press Review – Is it Worth the Cost?

43 · · Leave a Comment

Cricut Mug Press

Cricut has a lot of different crafting machines. I’ve had the privilege of using lots of them and even own four different ones. You can my crafts on this blog along with other crafting tutorials for sewing, cutting, painting, and more. Okay, so let’s get into the Cricut Mug Press review…

What Is The Cricut Mug Press?

The Cricut Mug Press is an add-on accessory for Cricut cutting machines. It is compatible with the Cricut Joy, Maker, and Air machines. With the Cricut Mug Press, you can use Cricut Design Space software to create custom mugs and tumblers.

The Mug Press doesn’t apply decals; the designs are sublimated onto specially treated mugs. Your design will literally become part of the mug. The end result is a professional-looking piece with a smooth glossy finish.

 

GET THE CRICUT MUG PRESS HERE

Cricut Mug Press Features


The Cricut Mug Press is a fairly simple machine. It measures approximately 9.29” x 13.14” x 8.18”. This is compact enough that it stores easily on a shelf or in a drawer.

It features a patent-pending heating plate that ensures even heat distribution when transferring your design.

A simple one-touch settings button and a lever are the only controls, making it simple to operate. The “Smart Temperature” feature means that you don’t need to worry about setting a timer or figuring out how hot to set the mug press.

The Cricut Mug Press also features an auto-off switch, which prevents the machine from getting too hot. Since the mug press operates at very high temperatures, this is a very important safety feature.

What Does The Cricut Mug Press Come With?

Cricut products come with a bundle of things when you purchase a machine. These things will help you get started with crafting. The Mug Press is no different but it is a little light on accessories.

When you purchase a new Cricut Mug Press, you’ll get:

  • The Cricut Mug Press Heat Press for Mugs
  • USB cord for activation
  • User instructions to get started
  • Warranty Information

GET THE CRICUT MUG PRESS HERE

How Does The Cricut Mug Press Work?

The Cricut website describes the process to use the mug press as being just three easy steps: Design, Press, and Reveal!

That’s not inaccurate, but there are more details to creating custom-designed mugs. There is an online tutorial at cricut.com/make-mugs, but here are some important details about how the Cricut Mug Press operates.

The first thing to know about the Cricut Mug Press is that it works only with Cricut machines, and Cricut’s Design Space software.

To activate a brand new mug press, you need to do so in Cricut Design Space by plugging the mug press into a computer or laptop (not a phone or tablet).

The mug press connects to your computer via a USB cord. Once the activation process is completed, you can use Design Space from your tablet or phone if you prefer.


Once you’ve followed the steps to activate your machine, you’re ready to begin designing your first mug! It’s helpful to review the online tutorial at cricut.com/make-mugs, or many of the YouTube tutorials by talented crafters, before beginning your first project.

Next, it’s very important to note that the mug press won’t work for just any ceramic mug. This machine is basically a mug-shaped heat press that is optimized for infusible inks/sublimation printing.

You’ll need to use mugs that are known as “sublimation blanks” with this machine. Sublimation mugs (or “blanks”) are treated with an invisible poly-coating that allows the infusible inks to “fuse” with the ceramic mug.

The result is a mug where the design is not on top of the mug surface like a decal, but actually becomes part of the mug itself. Cricut sells its own sublimation mugs in several sizes.

Additionally, there are many craft companies that sell mugs and tumblers that will work in the Cricut Mug Press.

Just be sure to check that they are indeed sublimation blanks and that the size is compatible with the mug press. Any mug used in the Cricut Mug Press should also have straight (not tapered) sides.



There are a few special materials needed to design a mug using the Cricut Mug Press.

Cricut’s infusible ink transfer sheets come in a large selection of colors and patterns, and any Cricut machine cuts them nicely.

If your design involves small, intricate details, such as writing, Cricut makes a line of infusible ink pens that can be loaded into the Cricut machines just like regular drawing pens.

The infusible ink pens can draw designs onto laser copy paper that can be applied with the Cricut Mug Press. 

Mug designs, like all Cricut projects, are created using their Design Space free software. In Design Space, there are a number of “ready-to-make” mug projects, as well as blank templates to create your own unique mugs.

Once you’ve selected your design, put the infusible ink transfer sheet on your cutting mat’s shiny side down. Before cutting, click on the “mirror” button in Design Space if your image contains any letters/words.

Once your design is cut out and all small bits have been “weeded”, it’s time to apply it to your mug!

GET THE CRICUT MUG PRESS HERE

Before applying your cut design, make sure the mug is clean and dry. Then, go over the outside of the mug with a lint roller to remove any remaining dust.

Even the tiniest of dust specks can leave marks when the mug is being pressed. Start preheating your mug press; it should only take 3-4 minutes. Apply your design by setting a mug down in front of you, with the handle facing you.

Slowly wrap your cut design around the mug, making sure the transfer sheet is flush with the bottom of the mug, and that it is wrapped snugly against the mug surface. Use the mug handle position to ensure your design is centered.

Infusible ink sheets will have sticky tabs on the carrier sheets to secure the wrap to the mug. Cricut also sells heat-resistant tape, if the infusible ink sheets aren’t sticking well. Do not use regular tape; it will melt in the mug press!

When the light is green on the mug press, it’s fully preheated and ready to go. Put the wrapped mug in the press, with the handle facing outward. Lower the lever on top, and double-check that mug looks secure and centered.

Closing the lever clamps the mug in place and begins the pressing process. There’s no need to set a timer or even check the temperature; the Cricut Mug Press does that automatically.

The press takes the temperature of the mug, as well as the temperature of the ambient air, and adjusts accordingly for the best time and heat to press your design.

Most mugs should only take 5-6 minutes to complete. The mug press will beep when it’s finished.

Once the mug press is done, raise the lever on top and remove your mug. Be careful when removing the mug. The handle should be cool enough to touch, but the mug will still be very hot!

Set the mug on a folded towel or another heat-resistant surface. Let your mug cool down, then carefully peel away the carrier sheet. You should now have a professional-looking mug decorated with your unique design!  

How Much Does The Cricut Mug Press Cost?

The Cricut Mug Press has a regular price of $199.99. Of course, you’ll also need supplies to begin creating your mugs. As with most of their cutting machines and accessories, Cricut sells the mug press in bundles that also include Cricut sublimation mugs and various supplies. I recommend getting the bundle for sure.

GET THE CRICUT MUG PRESS HERE

The “Mug Press and Essentials” Bundle includes 4 mugs along with a small selection of Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets and pen for $249.93.

The “Mug Press and Everything” Bundle includes eight mugs and a larger selection of Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets and pens for the price of $313.85. 

These bundles are a good value. It would cost more money to buy the Cricut Mug Press and all the included supplies separately.  Cricut.com frequently has these bundles on sale, too.

Cricut also sells their sublimation mugs in bulk packages of 36 mugs, which might be a better bargain if you plan on making a large number of mugs.

There are other brands of sublimation “blanks” (mugs, tumblers, etc) sold by various craft stores that you can use in the Cricut Mug Press. The prices might be more affordable than the Cricut brand, but be sure to double-check measurements to ensure they’ll fit properly in your mug press. 

GET THE CRICUT MUG PRESS HERE

Is The Cricut Mug Press Right For You?

The Cricut Mug Press is a compact, easy-to-use machine that produces professional quality customized mugs. The mugs are dishwasher and microwave safe, which is an improvement over personalized mugs made with permanent vinyl decals.

If you already have a Cricut machine and are fairly familiar with using Design Space, you’ll have no trouble getting great results with this machine.

It is a bit expensive, so consider the cost of the machine and materials when deciding if you’ll use it often enough to get your money’s worth.

The mug press is great if you plan on creating custom mugs to sell, or if you want a number of mugs with a team name or your own business logo on them.

 Customized mugs also make fun gifts for all occasions. Create personalized mugs for wedding and housewarming gifts, perhaps paired with some gourmet coffee and/or teas.

You can design mugs for any holiday or special occasion. Mugs can be created to match specific kitchen decor or to simply reflect one’s personality.

Cricut Design Space has hundreds of images and fun, ready-to-make mug projects – and they’re easy to do with the Cricut Mug Press.

GET THE CRICUT MUG PRESS HERE

Cricut Joy Review – Is This Cricut Machine Worth it?

1 · · Leave a Comment

Cricut Joy Machine

Thinking about buying a Cricut Joy but have questions? You’re in the right place. In this Cricut Joy Review, I’m going to lay out exactly what the Cricut is, what it does, and if it’s the right machine for you.

The Cricut Joy is the smallest of the Cricut line of machines. It may be small, but it still can help with a large number of craft projects. It measures just 5.50 x 8.40 x 4.25 inches. There are also carrying cases available for the Cricut Joy, so you can easily pack it up and take it wherever you want to. It’s so simple; you can use it anywhere you have a wifi signal to use the Cricut Design Space app and an outlet to plug in the machine.

Cricut Joy Features

The small size and portability of the Cricut Joy are the most prominent features. Weighing just under 5 pounds, you can take this machine and your supplies with you on vacation or to have fun crafting at a friend’s house if you want. It’s also a great choice for those with limited crafting space in their homes since it can be easily stored on a small shelf or even in a drawer.

Because the Cricut Joy is compact and easy to use, this could be a great gift for any preteens/teens who enjoy crafting.

The Joy is capable of cutting over 50 materials, including Cricut Joy Smart Materials. The Smart Materials are unique in that they can be cut on this machine without a cutting mat. Because you can use the Smart Materials without a mat, the Joy can make cuts up to 20 feet long. In addition to cutting, the Joy can draw any shape and it writes in a wide variety of styles.

The Cricut Joy has one clamp for the blade housing. If you want to use a pen to draw part of your project, you will be prompted to switch out the blade and load your pen. This is different from the larger Cricut machines that have two clamps so you can use a blade and pen without having to switch them out. It’s important to note that regular Cricut pens don’t fit in the Cricut Joy clamp; you’ll need to have Cricut Joy specific pens. Fortunately, Cricut sells a wide variety of pens for the Joy and they’re not terribly expensive.

The Cricut Joy connects to Cricut Design Space (their design software) with Bluetooth wireless technology. You can use Design Space on a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or even your smartphone. This makes it simple to use your Cricut Joy just about anywhere you can plug in and get a wireless signal.

 

How Does the Cricut Joy Work?

The Cricut Joy is probably the easiest Cricut machine to set up and operate. Like all the other Cricut machines, it needs to be paired with Cricut Design Space Software. To get started, you literally just plug in the Joy, open Design Space on your computer or mobile device, and click on the link to set up your new machine. It takes less than 5 minutes!

Cricut Design Space is the free software required to operate any Cricut machines. It works on any computer or mobile device. It’s easy to learn, and there are free tutorials available at learn.cricut.com to help familiarize yourself with all of its features. These tutorials will help you learn the basics of Design Space, as well as step-by-step processes for specific projects. There are many free files available on Design Space, but there is also a subscription option, known as Cricut Access. A subscription to Cricut Access gives you thousands of files and projects to upload to your Design Space account. If you don’t want to subscribe to Access, it’s possible to purchase files on Design Space individual

Every function done with the Cricut Joy is done through Design Space. Unlike the larger Cricut machines, the Joy doesn’t have any buttons or dials on it. 

If you’re using any of Cricut’s Smart Materials, you won’t need to use a cutting mat. You can load the materials directly into the Cricut Joy. You’re not limited to using Cricut Smart Materials, though. You can use most regular Cricut brand materials, as well as other brands, and simply cut them to fit on the Cricut Joy cutting mats.  

What Does the Cricut Joy Come With?

When you purchase a Cricut Joy, you’ll get the following:

  • The Cricut Joy machine and power adapter
  •  Cricut Joy blade and housing
  • Cricut Joy fine point pen (black)
  • Standard Grip Joy Mat
  • Welcome card
  • Warranty information
  • Free trial membership (for new subscribers) to Cricut Access 
  • Materials for a practice cut 

There are additional accessories you can purchase for the Joy, such as a Foiling Tool, card mats, and pens in different colors and widths.

Of course, you’ll also need to purchase materials to get started crafting with your Joy. Fortunately, Cricut also sells this machine bundled with different materials and supplies on their website.

How Much Does a Cricut Joy Cost?

The Cricut Joy is Cricut’s most affordable machine, with a regular price of $179.00. It is also sold in several different “bundled” options on the Cricut website.  The bundles include materials and accessories along with the Joy machine so you can get started on projects right away. These bundles have a regular price of around $250, but they frequently go on sale through the Cricut website. The Cricut Joy machine + materials bundles are a great value and would cost considerably more if all included items were to be purchased separately.

Another optional cost is a subscription to Cricut Access. A 30-day free trial to Cricut Access is available to new subscribers when you purchase any Cricut machine. Otherwise, the subscription costs $9.99 per month. For that price, you have access to over 200,000 images, 700 fonts, and thousands of ready-to-make projects. Additionally, Cricut Access members get a 10% discount on purchases made on cricut.com.

How Long Does the Cricut Joy Blade Last?


All of the Cricut blades are durable and last a decent amount of time. How long your Cricut Joy blade lasts depends entirely on how often you use your machine, and what materials you are cutting. On average, Cricut says their blades should last an average of six months, although it’s not unusual for the blades to last longer.

Replacement blades for the Cricut Joy are affordable at a price of just $12.99. You can tell if it’s time to replace your blade when it seems to tear your materials more than making nice clean cuts. 

Limitations of the Cricut Joy

While the Joy is a great little machine that is capable of many craft projects, it does have some minor limitations.

Because the Cricut Joy is a smaller machine, it is limited to smaller-sized projects than what can be accomplished on the larger Cricut machines. The largest cutting mat for the Joy is 4.5” by 12”. However, if you use Smart Materials which don’t require a cutting mat, the Joy can cut designs measuring 4.5 inches by 20 feet! 

While the Joy does cut 50 different materials, that is still not as much as can be cut with the large machines. It is capable of cutting quite a large variety of materials, including card stock of various sizes, poster board, assorted types of iron-on and vinyl, acetate, and even faux leather.

The only accessories available for the Cricut Joy are the blade, Joy pens of various colors and styles, and a foil transfer tool. This really isn’t a huge limitation, though. These three tools can be used for hundreds of different creative endeavors.

Is The Cricut Joy Right For You?

The Cricut Joy is a great machine for someone who enjoys crafts such as making greeting cards and invitations, vinyl decals for household goods & vehicles, labels to organize your home, and smaller iron-on projects. Instead of wrapping gifts to your loved ones on paper, you can create personalized gift bags and boxes with the Cricut Joy. You can even make customized party and holiday decorations for any occasion. Even though this smaller machine is limited in the size of what it can produce, it is capable of a surprising amount of creative tasks. 

If you’ve been curious about what you can make with a cutting machine but were hesitant about the cost, the Cricut Joy is a great choice! It is easily the most affordable cutting machine on the market, and the ease of use is unparalleled. The more you play with it, the more you’ll realize just how much you can create with it.

The Joy is also useful for small business owners or entrepreneurs who can use it to make custom labels, signs, and packaging for their products. 

Because of its compact size, the Cricut Joy is perfect for anyone who doesn’t have a large crafting space in their home, such as those who live in a small apartment or dorm room. Because it’s portable, you can take it along while you travel.

The Cricut Joy is a remarkable little machine with large crafting capabilities. It’s a great choice for anyone curious about what a cutting machine can do, or even as an additional Cricut machine for when you need to complete smaller projects.