3 free SVG files to make 3D mandalas

3D Mandalas, as well as regular mandalas, are popular lately. I’m giving you free SVG files and I will show you 3 ways to use them.

At first, I was not sure I wanted to create mandalas. Although I find them very beautiful, I wondered what use to give them.

You know, I try to make useful Cricut projects. I don’t want my creations (and the ones you make with my files!) to end up at the bottom of a drawer.

So I asked my subscribers the question and I had so many great answers and ideas! See below for all the details.

So I offer you 3 files and 3 different ways to make beautiful mandalas.

Continue reading, I detail them below. This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience and at no extra cost to you. Click here to see my full disclosure policy.

Required material to make 3D mandalas

Here are the 3 free SVG files

Get access to them in NeliDesign’s library. If you don’t have the password yet, just use the form above to subscribe.

A 12 x 12 mandala

A 3D mandala

A mandala card

Another option

I also thought of those who are looking for ways to keep your young children occupied: Take white cardstock and ask them to colour them in different colours. Whether it is arrangements of 2-3 colours or more. Then use the SVG files to cut these cardstocks in a mandala shape. That way, you’ll have a very personalized and colourful mandala!

Unfortunately, I have not yet managed to convince my teens to do so and I, therefore, have no image for you!!!

What to do with a mandala?

One answer immediately comes to mind. It is of course to frame it. It would also be easy to stick it on a canvas.

But what else?

My subscribers have a lot of imagination!

Obviously, these days, the mandala can be useful for relaxing and entertaining, especially if you use my colouring file!

It can also:

• become a clock;
• be used as a wall hanging backdrop for keys;
• be a 3D marble drop as the item is turned;
• be applied on a tote bag;
• be cut from vinyl and applied to a cell phone, computer or other objects.

I was even informed that the mandala can be used in meditation. The mandala should be coloured to please your eyes and you can then sit and stare into the mandala to help you meditate.

How to make 3D mandalas with free SVG files

The 12 x 12 3D mandala

Using 12×12 cardstocks, you’ll be able to cut the mandala to 11.5 x 11.5 which is the largest size for the Cricut.

I decided to use the darkest colour at the bottom but it’s totally up to you!

Once every layer is cut, you can start assembling. I using a glue pen that is pretty useful for this intricate design.

Always add the glue to the top layer by turning it upside down. Then press it on the bottom layer.

You’ll see that the topmost layer is very thin. If you decide to scale down the mandala, I suggest you don’t use this layer.

If some part of the mandala are not glued properly, you and use a piece of cardstock with glue on it to insert more glue between the layers.

Another trick is to turn the mandala upside down and place it under something heavy until the glue dries completely. I’m using my laptop for this.

I decided to scale this one to 6″ x 6″, but the file is also made in 11.5″ x 11.5″ just like the first one.

To add depth to the mandala, I’m adding spacers between the layers.

Now, I suggest you find something in your stash or in the recycling bin for this. You could use, leftover chipboard, thick cardstock, cereal box, etc.

As for myself, I found some craft foam that I think was part of one of my kid’s craft game at some point.

I cut some stips with a metal ruler and cut it again into smaller pieces with scissors.

My foam had a sticky side. If you have the same thing, use the sticky side first and then add glue to the other side.

I found that the top layer was too thin to add foam (or I was not patient enough to do so!). So I just glue the last layer on top without any spacer.

The mandala card

For this mandala, you’ll need to make some little tweaks in Cricut Design Space.

First, select the 2 layers that appear has lines (they are also colour red) and change the Linetype to “score”.

Then, you’ll see that these lines are each grouped with another layer. Select each layer individually and click on “Attach”. You are then ready to cut!

When you start assembling, you’ll see that adding the white cardstock inside the card reveals the bottom of the mandala.

The last thing you need to do is glue the rest of the layers, one by one.

Detailed steps on how to make 3D mandalas

Now, if you prefer, you can check out this video with the detailed steps on how to make 3D mandalas using my free SVG cut files.

I really like how the mandalas turned out and I had a lot of fun creating them. I hope you’ll have fun too.

As the colours chosen are very personal, I would love to see yours! Come show them to me on my Facebook group.

Use the form below subscribe to my newsletter to access the mandala files AND get your free Cricut Cheat sheet.

See you soon

PS: Don’t forget to Pin it on Pinterest