Kentucky Derby Craft Ideas for Cricut Machines
Jumping on the Kentucky Derby bandwagon today and sharing a few ideas for some fun Derby Craft Ideas. If you’re looking to add a bit of Derby Style to your home or your Derby party, then I think you’ll love these Derby-inspired SVG files designed to work, especially with your Cricut Machine!
If you’re not super interested in the Kentucky Derby, no worries! I’ve designed them to be universal enough that you could use them for many different occasions!
If you’ve been a long-time reader, you know that I live in Kentucky. I didn’t grow up here but came to live here as an adult, and I love it.
One of the most fun things about living in Louisville is what a big deal the entire city makes about the Kentucky Derby. It’s the first Saturday in May every year, and I try each year to make a few new things to add to my collection of Kentucky Derby Decorations.
Kentucky Derby Cricut Projects
This year I’ve designed 3 SVG Cut files for you that are all inspired by the Kentucky Derby. You can use them to add to tote bags, t-shirts or pillows (or whatever else you may dream up!). I love creating files to use with my Cricut machine… I work as a paid ambassador for Cricut, but this is NOT a sponsored post. Just one that I did because I love using the machine so much!
Now, I know that not all of you love the Derby and all things that go with it. So when I was designing these Kentucky Derby Craft ideas, I designed them with everyone in mind. There’s a super cute “hold your horses” apron that anyone could wear and a “lucky” pillow that would also be great as a St. Patricks Day decoration!
They would also be fun for anyone who loves horses, regardless of where you live! I mean, as a mom don’t you sometimes want to scream “hold your horses” when your kids are bugging you for dinner for like the millionth time??
All of these items are designed to work with “e” cutting machines. I use the Cricut Machine. You can get it online or at most big box craft stores.
What is a Cricut Machine?
If you’ve NEVER crafted before, I’m here to tell you that YOU CAN DO THIS! A Cricut is just like a printer, but instead of printing, it cuts stuff out that you then IRON onto your items. How cool, right?? You can read more about Cricut HERE.
I’ll link to a few of my most popular Cricut “how-to” tutorials at the bottom of this post just to help you out.
Okay, now on to the projects:
Kentucky Derby Craft Ideas:
All of these projects were hand-lettered by my daughter and me. A few of the images even came from my Derby Day Fabric collection.
Derby DIY “Hold your Horses” Apron
When I designed the “Hold Your Horses” graphics, I did it with the idea to put it on a t-shirt to make your own Derby shirt. Then I started thinking about it and realized it would be adorable on an apron.
Just the perfect thing to wear if you’re hosting a Derby party and you’re doing all the cooking!
Kentucky Derby DIY T-Shirt; Big Hats, Bow Ties & Horses
Every year I like to get a new Derby shirt to wear. You can find them online and around town pretty easily. This year I thought, why not just make my own.
I took one of the hat images I drew for the Haberdashery print from my Derby Day Fabric line and added some fun words to them!
Big hats, bow ties & horses sum it all up pretty well. You could also add “bourbon” in there, but I’m not a drinker so it would be weird for me to wear a t-shirt like that!
Lucky Pillow Cover
For obvious reasons, I created the SVG file for this pillow for the derby! It would also be so cute for St. Patricks Day or really any day for that matter; who of us couldn’t use a bit more luck?
The iron-on is created with gold foil iron-on from Cricut, and I LOVE how it shines!
How to Get the SVG Files
Cricut SVG File: Note: all files in the Library are for personal use only. You may not sell items you make with the files. To get these files into the Cricut Design space, you need to visit OUR CRICUT LIBRARY and follow the directions. When prompted, select the button and save the file as an SVG to your computer. Please do not open it in a new window. It will load as an image, not an SVG. Next, go to the Cricut Design Space page with your browser. Select NEW when the screen pops up; select IMAGE. Then select – upload. Upload the image you obtained. It’s ready to use in Design Space!
After that, you can follow the instructions HERE to upload, cut out and iron your images onto your items.
Supply List
- Cricut Maker 3 (you can get great deals on machine bundles on Cricut.com)
- Roll Holder for Maker 3
- Cricut EasyPress (I like the large size the best): Make sure you get the EasyPress mat as well.
- Cricut Weeding Tools: (I use the small hook tool ALL the time, making weeding vinyl so much easier).
- Cricut BrightPad: A cordless, flat, bright lightbox. I use it to weed Cricut vinyl and use it all the time to trace applique shapes for sewing & quilting.
- Cricut Iron On Vinyl
- Cricut Permanent Vinyl
Let me know what you think! I’d love to hear what you’re making with the graphics!
Other Projects You May Love:
Kentucky Derby Party for a Crowd!
21 Adorable Kentucky Derby Party Ideas
Introducing the Derby Day Fabric Collection
How to Make Iron On’s for T-Shirts using the Cricut Machine and Cricut EasyPress
Your post for Kentucky Derby ideas touched my heart. My husband was an avid horse racing enthusiast and would have his horse all picked out months ago. In honor of him I have a couple Kentucky Derby car accessory items in my Etsy shop. We never made it to the Derby but Saratoga Springs was always on our list every summer. Thank you for your lovely post and ideas.
I do appreciate all your tutorials. I have recently purchased a Cricut Maker3 and found your tutorial on making a mini quilt has been most helpful.
Have you ever taken a applique pattern and converted it so the Cricut Maker 3 could separate and cut out the pieces. I have the bonded fabric cutter and have read you can do it but I haven’t really found anything that has been useful in taking a paper pattern and converting so you can do put it into the design space. I’d be most interested in seeing a tutorial or even take a paid class from you.