How to make a stencil with Cricut machines + transform a plain outdoor rug into an affordable floral block design
This post is sponsored by Cricut Official.
I finally pulled out my Cricut to make a reusable stencil, and I’m hooked. I’ve stenciled before—remember last summer’s porch floor makeover—but cutting my own stencils with a machine is a game changer. After this project I don’t plan on buying store-bought stencils anymore.
A few months back I spotted floral block rugs and textiles and loved the blend of geometric structure with delicate florals. I decided to recreate that look on a simple outdoor rug for our back porch—an affordable way to get a designer vibe without the price tag.
Because we were stuck inside during a rainy stretch and couldn’t work on big outdoor fixes, stenciling the rug became the perfect rainy-day project. I’m fairly new to Cricut machines, but this simple stencil project is ideal for beginners—easy to learn, repeatable, and satisfying.
How to Make a Stencil with Cricut
Supplies Used for a Reusable Stencil:
- Cricut Explore Air 2 (or similar Cricut machine)
- Light grip machine mat
- Deep point blade and housing
- Starter tool set (weeder, scraper, tweezers)
- 12″ x 12″ acetate sheet (or vinyl for single-use stencils)
The Steps to Make a Reusable Stencil
1. Design the stencil in Cricut Design Space. Search for a simple silhouette—search keywords like “flower” or “floral” to find a shape that will cut cleanly.
2. Insert the flower image onto your canvas. If the image contains multiple colors or layers, hide any parts you don’t need so only the silhouette remains.
3. Add a square shape from the Shapes menu. Resize and position the square so it frames the flower exactly how you want it to appear in a block.
4. Arrange the layers so the flower sits above the square, then use the Slice tool to cut the flower shape out of the square. Delete any extra pieces; you should be left with a square with the floral cutout centered inside.
5. Click “Make It.” Choose a custom material setting for transparency (or acetate), and increase pressure if needed for a clean cut.
6. Swap the standard blade for a deep point blade. Place the acetate sheet on a light-grip mat and load it into the machine. Confirm your design and press the Go button to begin cutting.
7. When the machine finishes, carefully remove the acetate from the mat with your starter tools. Weed out any inside pieces to reveal a clean reusable stencil.
8. Your reusable stencil is ready. These work beautifully on floors, fabrics, pillows, signs, and more.
Supplies for the DIY Floral Block Rug
- Plain outdoor rug
- Stencil brush
- Acrylic or exterior enamel paint in your chosen color
- Temporary repositionable spray adhesive (optional but helpful)
- Tape measure
- Washable marker for marking the grid
Steps to Stencil the Rug
1. Clean the rug thoroughly—outdoor rugs can be leaf-blown or vacuumed to remove dust and debris before painting.
2. Measure and mark a grid on the rug with a washable marker. I marked a row every 24 inches, offsetting alternate rows by 12 inches to create a balanced block pattern.
3. Spray one side of the stencil lightly with the temporary adhesive if you have it. This helps hold the stencil in place and prevents smudging, but you can work without it if necessary.
4. Position the stencil so the center of the cutout lines up with your grid mark. Press down gently to secure it; you can pat with a paper towel so paint won’t transfer to your hands.
5. Load a small amount of paint onto the end of the stencil brush and apply with a pouncing motion—do not brush sideways. Light, layered pouncing will prevent paint from bleeding under the stencil.
6. Lift the stencil, reposition to the next grid point, and repeat until the rug is fully stenciled. Allow the paint to dry for at least 2–3 hours before walking on the rug.
The result was exactly what I hoped—fresh, modern, and full of character. The floral block pattern gave the space a cohesive, designer look for a fraction of the cost.
This project was quick, inexpensive, and very satisfying. If you’ve been curious about Cricut or stenciling, start with a small reusable stencil and an outdoor rug—you’ll learn the process and get a beautiful result that elevates your space.
