Using Pink Pony SVG Files with Cricut Design Space

If your Pink Pony Design pattern includes SVG cutting files, you can import them into Cricut Design Space and use your Cricut to cut the pattern pieces instead of printing and cutting them by hand.

Here's how to get started. 

1. Download and extract your pattern files

Download your Pink Pony Design pattern and save it somewhere easy to find.

If your download is a ZIP file, extract or unzip it first.

Open the extracted folder and look for the file ending in:

.svg

That's the file you'll upload to Cricut Design Space.

If you're having trouble finding or opening your files, visit the Downloads & Files section of the Pink Pony Help Center.

2. Open Cricut Design Space

Open Cricut Design Space and create a New Project.

From the Canvas, select:

Upload → Upload Image → Browse

Locate the extracted .svg file on your device and select it.

You can also drag and drop the SVG directly into the upload window when using Design Space on a computer.

Select Continue, give the image a name if you'd like, and select Upload.

The SVG will be added to your Canvas.

3. Check the size before doing anything else

Before ungrouping, rearranging or editing the design, check that it has imported at the correct size.

Pink Pony Design SVG files include a 1" test square to make this easy.

Compare the test square with the 1" grid on the Cricut cutting mat shown on your Canvas.

The test square should measure exactly:

1" x 1" (25.4 mm x 25.4 mm)

If it does, your SVG has imported at the correct scale.

If it doesn't, don't cut anything yet. See My SVG Is the Wrong Size When I Import It for instructions on correcting the scale.

4. Arrange your pattern pieces

Once you've confirmed that the scale is correct, you can rearrange the individual pattern pieces if needed.

You can:

• move pieces
• rotate pieces so any directional fabric is cut in the right position
• arrange pieces to make better use of your cutting mat
• divide pieces between mats if necessary

Just be careful not to accidentally change the size of the pattern pieces while moving them.

5. Check your cutting mat

Make sure the pattern pieces fit within the usable cutting area of your selected Cricut mat.

If the complete SVG doesn't fit on one mat, don't shrink the pattern to make it fit.

Instead, separate or rearrange the pattern pieces and cut them over multiple mats as needed.

6. Choose Your Material & Cutting Settings

Once you're ready to cut, select Make and continue to the material selection screen.

Choose the material setting that most closely matches what you're cutting. If you don't see your material listed, select Browse All Materials and look for the closest match.

For fabrics, Cricut also provides general settings such as:

• Light Fabrics (like Silk)
• Medium Fabrics (like Cotton)
• Heavy Fabrics (like Denim)

The best setting depends on your Cricut machine, blade and material, so there isn't one universal setting that will work for every bag-making material.

You may be cutting materials such as quilting cotton, other woven fabrics, cork, faux leather, vinyl or leather. Not every Cricut machine or blade is suitable for every material, so check that your machine can cut the material you've chosen.

7. Always Make a Test Cut

Before cutting an entire pattern piece, make a small test cut using a scrap of the same material.

Check whether the test shape cuts cleanly through your material without cutting unnecessarily deeply into your mat.

If the material hasn't cut quite all the way through

If your material setting is close but the cut needs just a little more pressure, choose More from the Pressure drop-down underneath your selected material setting.

Then perform another test cut.

If the blade is cutting too deeply

Choose Less from the Pressure drop-down and perform another test cut.

If More or Less still isn't giving you a clean cut

Try a different material setting that more closely matches the thickness and construction of your material.

More experienced Cricut users can also create or adjust a Custom Material Setting in Design Space. This allows you to fine-tune settings such as cut pressure and, where available, the number of passes.

You generally shouldn't need to start here - the normal material setting plus More or Less pressure will often be enough for a small adjustment.

Once the test cut is clean

Perfect! You can continue with your pattern pieces.

Remember that two materials that look very similar can behave differently depending on their thickness, backing and construction, so it's worth making another test cut when you change materials.

It's much better to sacrifice a tiny scrap while finding the right setting than a beautiful piece of cork or vinyl! 😂

8. Think About the Direction of Your Material

Before placing your material on the mat, check whether your pattern piece needs to follow a particular print direction or material direction.

This is especially important with directional prints and materials where the appearance changes depending on which way the piece is cut.

Rotating a pattern piece in Design Space may save material, but make sure it's appropriate to rotate that particular piece first.

9. Check Everything Before Cutting

Before loading your mat, take one final look at the preview.

Check that:

• The pattern pieces are the correct size
• Nothing has accidentally been resized
• All the pieces you need are present
• The pieces fit within the cutting area
• Your material is positioned correctly on the physical mat

Once everything looks right, you're ready to cut.

Don't forget your PDF instructions

Your PDF pattern remains your main sewing guide, even when you're cutting the pieces electronically.

Check the PDF for any pattern-specific information about:

• fabric direction
  
• how many of each piece to cut
• which material each piece should be cut from

The SVG helps you cut the shapes - the PDF tells you what to cut and how the pieces are used.

Can I use Cricut Design Space on my phone or tablet?

Yes.

Cricut Design Space supports SVG uploads on both iOS and Android, so you don't have to use a computer.

The screens and button positions may look a little different from the desktop version, but the principle is the same:

Upload the SVG → add it to your Canvas → check the 1" test square → arrange your pieces → cut.

Something isn't working

If the SVG won't upload at all, see:

My SVG Won't Upload or Open - What Should I Do?

If the SVG uploads but isn't the correct size, see:

My SVG Is the Wrong Size When I Import It

And if you're still stuck, please contact me. Let me know which Pink Pony Design pattern you're using and what happens when you try to use the SVG in Design Space. A screenshot is always very helpful if something looks strange.

Happy sewing!
Maria
Pink Pony Design