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First off, read my earlier review which includes info and tips on cutting and saving your mat. Tests done: New Engraving tool on quick swap housing, wet (line type: engrave) Old scoring stylus tool, wet (line type: draw) New Debossing tool, wet (line type: deboss) New Debossing tool, dry (line type: deboss) Fiebings Dark Brown antique paste was then applied. All tests done with Apple Chancery Font. Results (see photos) The engraving tool did NOT disappoint. If I’d beveled this before applying antique I think it would look even better. I prefer this over the other options previously reviewed. I’ve attached all the photos, but you can read my remarks on my earlier review. The photo with no label is the one done with the engraving tool.

Working on a project for my kid’s school. Just got in the new Cricut debossing tool and decided to test it out. Cutting First off, all the cuts were made on the maker on the leather setting appropriate to the weight of the scrap used. I’ve had NO TROUBLE cutting leather up to 5oz. It will cut a hole small enough for rivets. Tip- put transfer tape on the back of your leather before applying to strong grip mat to keep the fuzzies off your mat and avoid compromising the stickiness of your mat. Use a piece small enough not to go under the black roller wheels as it CAN get stuck and bunch up. use masking tape around the edges and remember to move the white star wheels all the way to the right so they don’t damage your leather. Tests done: Old scoring stylus tool, wet (line type: draw) New Debossing tool, wet (line type: deboss) New Debossing tool, dry (line type: deboss) Fiebings Dark Brown antique paste was then applied. I also tested out Cricut pens on dry leather: 0.4 fine point black as well as 1.0 tip in green (metallic petal) All tests done with Apple Chancery Font. Results (see photos) The old style scoring stylus (pen shaped) gave the cleanest impression but wasn’t very visible. The debossing tool was disappointing in that it was messy looking and you could see the dimple where it had started. I think either of these tools might be fine for a larger piece, especially in the case of the stylus if you were looking for a subtle effect or wanting to subtly mark a pattern for painting or stamping. I think this is where it would really shine. For the project at hand, I’m going with the pens. Caveat: the petal metallics are water based and the black pen’s composition was not on the packaging I had- I have not tested putting finish on them. Also note there are third party adapter for using other pens. I’m curious to see how refillable dye pens or the colored dye pens from Real Leather perform. Hopefully I receive some for Christmas so I can let you all know how it works. Bottom Line I like the Maker, and plan to use it more. I think I’ll import my patterns and use it to cut out patterns, mark alignment and fold lines when I have lots of pieces or small pieces that need precision. I might experiment with using it when I’ve got SO MANY HOLES to do as I tend to use a micro punch 0.5-1mm for my sewing holes (I know, I’m a heretic with joint problems, sue me). The debossing tool is not ready for prime time when in comes to leather though I can see some applications for it. I look forward to trying the forthcoming engraving tool which fits in the same quick change housing. Will it replace the laser cutter in my heart? No. But the Maker was affordable, worked for my many crafts, and doesn’t require me to drive across town to the maker space to use! Additionally, the company has made good on their promise to continue to release new tools for the adaptive tool system they introduced with the Maker.

So, I'm working on another messenger bag, this one has two front pockets that are about an inch deep. Instead of using a gusset i borrowed a design from a tandy book and made a printable/cutable template....i used a stoned oil side on my cricut to cut this out, but laser or print, trace and cut should work. The dimensions can be adjusted in inkscape for wider, taller, and deeper pockets...just remember to keep the distance inside the "gouge lines" even. The .svg file is below and the direct link is on pinterest to the cricut project. https://pin.it/nkkrzks5tuuhoc bag-front pocket.svg