3D Layered Cross Mandala [Free Cricut SVG]

This 3D Layered Cross Mandala is perfect for Easter, Christenings or Baptisms. I’ll show you how to customize the banner or completely remove it if you prefer to make the cross without. It is so easy to make!

Mandalas are really easy to put together and you only need cardstock, double-sided adhesive, and a Cricut machine.

With Easter coming up, I made a mandala egg. The response from the crafting community was huge and a cross was highly suggested. You asked for it so here it is! I love hearing your suggestions so please follow me on social media (see the right sidebar) or join our special Facebook group to reach out with your suggestions!

Do you want more free SVG files and my resource list? Join our Facebook community where I share with you resources and answer your questions!

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This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)!  Read my full disclosure policy.

MATERIALS TO MAKE A 3D MULTI-LAYER MANDALA

  • Scissors
  • My free SVG design file (available in my free resource library – get the password by filling out the form on the sidebar or below).
[sc name=”ml-mandala” ]

HOW TO MAKE THE MANDALA

If you’d rather watch a video on how to make it step by step, take a look at this video here (highly recommended!):

STEP 1: GET THE FREE SVG FILE

Get the free SVG design file from the free resource library.

STEP 2: UPLOAD YOUR DESIGN INTO CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

The file you want to upload is cross_combined_v2.svg.

[Version 2 fixes the pointy end of cross. It will be layered in different colours. Everything else remains the same.]

If you require another format, please contact me.

Here is what your SVG cut file will look like when you upload it to Cricut Design Space:

Resize the mandala to your desired size. I recommend shrinking it down so you can see all the layers for the next step. Don’t forget to resize it back to your cut size!

If you are cutting on 8.5″x11″ cardstock, I recommend setting the height of the cross to 10.5″. If you are cutting on 12″ x 12″, set the height of the cross to 11.5″.

STEP 3: PICK YOUR COLOURS

There are five layers in the right-hand panel called “Layers”. There are also two layers for the ribbon. Let’s start adding some colour.

Click on the cut layer then go to Linetype and change the colour.

Do the same for all the other layers. I recommend picking colours that you have cardstock for. This will allow you to see exactly what the layers will look like when you cut them out and combine them.

STEP 4: CUSTOMIZE THE RIBBON COLOURS

Now let’s work on the ribbon.

There are two layers for the ribbon. One is the top layer and one is the bottom shading layer. Select your colours for your ribbon. I recommend choosing a colour for your bottom layer just slightly darker than your top layer.

You can do this by selecting the colour for your top layer and then going to the advanced colour options to select a darker colour (see Youtube video for visual demo).

STEP 5: ADD RIBBON TEXT

Now let’s customize your ribbon text. The SVG file does not come with any text. Let’s add our own.

First, pick what text you’d like to add to your banner. I chose “blessed”.

Click on the Text icon on the left toolbar. Then write whatever text you’d like to use. The default text will be horizontal, but we want to curve the text to match our banner.

Before we do that though, we need to select the font we want to use. Click on the font list and select a font. I am using “King Basil Lite“. It is a free font of a premium version of the King Basil font. I highly recommend purchasing the full font. It is so versatile and allows you to use swashes (the little swooshes on the ends of text).

Any fonts that are on your computer will be under “System fonts“.

Now let’s curve our word or saying.

To do this, duplicate this text layer. (Button is on the right side next to ungroup.)

On one of the text layers, put the first half of your word or saying. For example “blessed” would be “bles”. On the second of the text layers, put the second half of the word or saying. Using this example, “sed”.

Now we need to fix the kerning (aka the space between the letters). With the way it looks right now, the letters will be cut out individually. We don’t want that. Click on your text layer and adjust the “Letter Space”.

My settings:

Letter spacing: -1.2

Do this for both text layers.

Next, drag this text over to your banner and resize it so it fits.

Now let’s add some curves.

My settings:

Font size: 40

“Bles” curve: -12

“sed” curve: 5.8

Now we need to make sure the Cricut cuts out the word in one piece.

THIS STEP IS IMPORTANT. Select both text layers and click on “Weld”.

If you did it correctly, you should now have one layer with the “blessed” word (see layer list above). You will no longer be able to edit the curve or text options for this. It is now basically like another SVG file.

If you want to do a cutout into the ribbon instead, please see my Youtube video. There are some more advanced techniques in the video.

STEP 6: CUT IT OUT

When you are happy with your colours and ribbon components, click “Make it“. The Cricut design space will sort the layers by colour.

STEP 5: ASSEMBLE YOUR MANDALA

Using your double-sided adhesive squares, stick the layers together.

Optional: You can stick the back layer of the ribbon to a different layer to give it more depth. See Youtube video for demo.

CONGRATULATIONS

Awesome! You just made a 3D Cross Mandala.

I’d love to see what you create with it!

Please post it on social media using the hashtag #pwmandala

If you liked this mandala, I have other ones available in my Etsy store that you will love! Follow me on Etsy to be notified of when they will be released!

I’d also recommend my Egg mandala that is free and ready for you to use!

13 Comments

  1. Carole D. says:

    Thank you for these files! I made the cross today and it is beautiful. I have one question about it…is there a reason that the upper right arm of the cross is pointed while the others are all rounded? I didn’t even realize until I cut it and was putting it together. Wondering if there is a significance behind it or if it was done in error. Thank you again – your items are beautiful and it is very kind of you to share them for free.

    1. Thanks for noticing that Carole! This has been fixed in the new version. Head on over to the free resource library to get the new version!

      1. Carole D. says:

        Thank you so much! It is beautiful. Wishing you a Happy Easter!

  2. RevDonnaH says:

    Bless you for creating this Cross cut file Jen. As a pastor and crafter, I can make these for my small, sweet congregation as encouragement. With this stressful time of COVID-19, we are sad to not be able to have church services until it passes. I thank you for helping me to bless them.

  3. Hi Jen,
    I love the cross but I noticed one side isn’t rounded like the other 3 , is that part of the design?
    Thanks

    1. Hi Mireille! This has been fixed in the new version. Head on over to the free resource library to get the new version!

  4. Hi! I love this cross and have made several already. I am just wondering if there is a way for me to make the left side symmetrical with the right side as one side is curved and one is pointy. Thank you for your time and willingness to share this file!

    1. Hi CT! This has been fixed in the new version. Just head on over to the free resource library to get the new file. 🙂

  5. I am in love with this cross! I love crosses and really want to make this! As soon as this crazy is over, I’m going to get some cardstock and make several of them! Thank you for sharing your talent with us!

  6. How lovely your cross is! Can you show me how to make colorful easter egg, pumpkin, lantern by your card board? Thanks.

  7. Love the cross. Looking forward for more inspiring crafts.

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