How To Make A Sunflower Mandala – Easy 3D Mandala with a free 3D Mandala SVG!

Instructions

Step 1: Download my FREE Sunflower Mandala SVG and Import Into Design Space

First you're going to want to get access to my FREE Sunflower Mandala SVG and PDF. Fill out the form in this post of click here to gain access. If you already have access to my FREE resource library, you can skip this step and head straight to the library! You want to download design #11!

Then unzip the file. If you're sing the PDF, take a look at my FAQ section for how to use the PDF templates and then skip to step 3!

If you're using a Cricut machine which will save you a ton of time, open Design Space and follow these steps:

1. Click “New Project”

2. Click “Upload”

3. Click “Upload Image”

4. Select the sunflower mandala SVG file for this project.

5. Click “Upload”

6. Select the file you just uploaded from the library

7. Click “Insert Images”

At this point you could resize your images if you wanted to. If you're going to use the shadow box I linked to though, you don't need to change anything! Just click "Make It".

Next you want to set your machine to cut cardstock. I also recommend setting the pressure to "more" since we've got some very precise cuts. If you have the Explore Air 2 for example, you can turn the dial to cardstock or turn it to Custom. If you have other machines or your dial is set to custom, you can select the material from within Design Space. This step is key so don't skip it! If you don't have the material settings right, you will unfortunately waste cardstock and time.

Step 2: Cut out the layers of your Sunflower Mandala

Next you'll want to pick out which cardstock you want to use for your sunflower mandala. I've linked to a great pack of cardstock that has lots of different colors to choose from, but you can pick anything! I used some colors from that pack and a few other individual sheets I had lying around. Pick out your layers and line them up to make sure that they all look good together. I recommend making the center two brown and the rest different shades of yellow, orange and gold.

Then, looking at Design Space to see which layer is being cut, select the right color cardstock and firmly press it into a light or standard grip mat.

Then feed the mat into the Cricut machine. Press the double ended arrows and then the flashing C button.

After each layer is done, click the double ended arrows to unload the mat. Then flip the mat over and peel the mat from the cardstock - not the other way around. This helps the cardstock not curl.

If you end up with lots of small pieces on your mat (you definitely will with the smallest piece!) you will want to use your scraper (linked in the material list) to scrape those pieces from the mat.

Repeat this for all layers of your Sunflower Mandala!

Step 3: Prepare Your 3D Mandala Layers

Since Design Space may have cut your layers out of order, you will now want to order them correctly. For the most part it's intuitive and by size, but it's helpful to go back to the canvas in Design Space and look at the design again to be sure.

Just click "Finished" and then look at the layers closely on the right hand side. Use this as a guide to order the cardstock you just cut using my sunflower mandala SVG.

Step 4: Assemble the layers of your 3D Sunflower Mandala

Now we're going to assemble our 3D Mandala! This is where it really comes to life!

Flip your stack of sunflower mandala layers over so the bottom of the bottom layer is facing up. Then flip that layer over - that's our base.

Now grab the next layer and add foam dots to the underside of that layer.

You will then attach that layer to the layer below it and continue this for all but the very last layer. It's a bit hard to explain here so be sure to check out my video!

Here are some tips to help you with this process:

Tip #1: Before you add the foam dots, align the layer you're working with and make sure you know how it lines up with the layer you're about to attach it to. (Watch my step-by-step video to see what I mean) It's a lot easier to do this before the foam dots are added.

Tip #2: When you remove the foam dots from the package you'll notice that one side is sticky and the other side has a cover on it. Attach them all to your layer first and then remove the cover from all of them at the same time. I find that this is faster.

Tip #3: Attach the foam dots all around the edges of the sunflower mandala layer and put at least one in the very center of the layer you're working with. This will make sure that the final product won't sink and it will have lots of definition. Just make sure that the foam dots aren't covering any cut outs so that you won't see them in the finished product!

Tip #4: Always check your layers before you press down so that you can reposition it if needed. Once you press down it will be much harder to undo it.

When you get to the last two layers, we are going to do something a bit different.

You're going to use a glue stick to glue the lacey layer (your layer at the very top of your design) to the brown circle. Then you'll add glue dots to the underside of the solid brown circle and attach that to your 3D Sunflower Mandala!

Tip #5: I find it helpful to put the lacy layer on a piece of scrap paper when your gluing to keep my table clean!

Step 5: Glue to Shadow Box and Enjoy!

Next, pick a color for the background of your 3D Mandala and glue it to the inside of your shadow box! Then glue your 3D Sunflower Mandala to it!

You can also skip this step and glue it straight to the canvas in the back of your Shadow Box if you want, but I prefer to use paper so I can pick the color!

You can use either Foam Dots for this or hot glue if you prefer.

You're done! Now all that's left is to find the perfect place for it in your home or gift it to a friend!