Farmhouse signs can be expensive, especially if you need one in XXL format. But did you know that with a few simple tools, you can easily make a wood sign at home? The best part is that you don't even need any power tools! Today, I'm sharing how to make DIY farmhouse signs with Cricut. This DIY tutorial is perfect for those who love farmhouse decor and are new to Cricut crafting and woodworking.
Inspiration for making DIY farmhouse signs
I currently have a little DIY project on the go in our entryway and have been searching for modern farmhouse signs for that. As a typical DIYer, when I saw the prices, I knew I had to try to make one myself for less!
Have you ever ventured into the "off-cut" section of the lumber department at your local DIY store? If you haven't, you're missing out on some serious bargains! As an example, I stumbled upon this piece of white plywood board, and as soon as I saw it, I knew it would be the perfect canvas for making a DIY farmhouse sign. The size and shape of the board were similar to the size of the farmhouse signs I've seen all over Etsy. Speaking of Etsy, it's a great place to browse if you need inspiration on the wording for your Farmhouse sign.
I've seen outdoor wood signs made in this style but I think they would last longer if hung under a covered porch. If hung outside, the signs would be exposed to the elements and be easily ruined.
Table of contents
- Inspiration for making DIY farmhouse signs
- DIY Disclaimer
- Supplies for making a modern farmhouse sign
- DIY Farmhouse signs: Cricut instructions
- Step 1: Prepare your materials
- Step 2: Design your sign in Cricut Design Space
- Step 3: Cut your vinyl
- Step 4: Weed your vinyl
- Step 5: Apply Transfer Tape
- Step 6: transfer your design to the sign
- Crafting the perfect frame for your farmhouse sign
- Stain the wooden frame
- Create an aged wood finish
- Attach the frame to your farmhouse sign
- Add hanging hardware (Optional)
- Final thoughts on creating DIY farmhouse signs with a Cricut machine
- More DIY
DIY Disclaimer
The post 'How to make DIY farmhouse signs' is intended for informational purposes only. Any DIY project involves some level of risk, and it is important to follow proper safety precautions and instructions. Before attempting any DIY project, ensure that you have the necessary tools, skills, and knowledge to complete the task safely and effectively. Always wear appropriate protective gear and consult with professionals if you have any doubts or concerns. The author of this blog post is not responsible for any injuries, damages, or losses that may result from the use or misuse of the information presented in this blog post.
Supplies for making a modern farmhouse sign
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- A piece of white board* (or white on one side) for the sign base
- Wood trim for the picture frame
- Sandpaper (120 grit)
- Removeable Vinyl in desired colors (I used black)
- Transfer tape
- Cricut cutting machine
- Cutting mat
- Weeding tools (or similar)
- Paintbrush or rag for staining
- Painter's tape (Optional)
- Measuring stick
- Strong wood glue
- Corner clamps (Optional but makes things much easier)
- Miter Box (Optional)
- Staple gun (Optional)
- Wood stain
- Liming wax (Optional)
- Nails or glue
- Hammer (if using nails)
- Picture hanging hardware (Optional)
*★Top Tip★ Can't find any white boards for your sign-making project? No worries, you can paint any board with white chalk paint to give it that gorgeous farmhouse look.
DIY Farmhouse signs: Cricut instructions
Using a Cricut machine to create the letters means you can make a customizable sign that you can change any time you like. If you fancy a change, you can strip the vinyl letters off the sign and replace them with something else.
Step 1: Prepare your materials
Measure and cut your white plywood board or wooden board to your desired size for the sign. I sourced my board from the off-cut section of my local DIY store and it was already the right size for my project.
★Tip★: Ask in the store if they will cut your board to the size you need. You can usually have this done at no extra charge.
Step 2: Design your sign in Cricut Design Space
Open Cricut Design Space and create a new project.
Type out your text, "COME IN AND Stay awhile". Choose a farmhouse-style block font for the main text and a script font for "Stay awhile". I uploaded a font called 'Hello Honey' from DaFonts.com because it included extra embellishments. I added embellishments to each end of the script text.
Adjust the size of your text to fit your board. Keep the dimensions of your sign in mind when resizing.
Once you're happy with the design, click "Make It" in the top right corner.
Step 3: Cut your vinyl
Place your vinyl onto the cutting mat, making sure it's smooth and free of wrinkles.
Load the cutting mat into your Cricut machine and follow the prompts in Cricut Design Space to cut your design.
Once the cutting is complete, unload the mat from the machine.
Step 4: Weed your vinyl
Using your weeding tools, carefully remove the excess vinyl from around your design. Start with the outer edges of the sign and work your way inward.
★Tip★ It's easy to miss small letters or words, so pay close attention to the intricate parts of the script font, ensuring you remove all the tiny pieces.
Step 5: Apply Transfer Tape
Cut a piece of transfer tape slightly larger than your design.
Peel the backing off the transfer tape and carefully place it over your vinyl design, smoothing out any bubbles as you go.
Use a scraper tool or an old credit card to firmly press the transfer tape onto the vinyl.
Step 6: transfer your design to the sign
Position your transfer tape with the vinyl design onto your plywood board, and make sure it's centered and straight.
Use the scraper tool or credit card to firmly press the vinyl onto the sign.
Slowly peel the transfer tape away, leaving the vinyl design adhered to the sign. If the vinyl does not stick to the sign, go over the area with the scraper tool until it does.
Crafting the perfect frame for your farmhouse sign
Now, you need to cut the wood trim to create a frame that fits around your farmhouse sign and there are two ways you can do this.
The first method of making a wooden picture frame is the simplest because it does not involve cutting at a 45° angle. This method is perfect for anyone who also does not own a miter box.
Making a wooden picture frame without a miter box
Measure the length of your sign and mark the measurement on your wood trim with a pencil.
Using a hand saw (or a circular saw if you have one), cut a straight line through the wood at the pencil mark.
Sand the edges of the cut piece of wood trim for a smooth finish if necessary. You will need two pieces of that size so now you can use that first piece of wood frame as a template for cutting the second piece.
Place the top and bottom pieces of your frame onto your sign.
Measure the space between the top and bottom pieces of the wooden frame, along the short edge. Now you have your second measurement. Cut two pieces of that size using the method above.
Use strong wood glue to attach the pieces. If you have corner clamps, use them to clamp the corners together until the wood glue dries. If you don't own corner clamps, you can cheat by using a staple gun to staple the corners or by using heavy objects to press the frame together on each side. I used staples and weights. Stapling the corners will keep them tight until the wood glue dries.
Making a wooden picture frame with a Miter box
Measure and mark the length of your farmhouse sign.
Place the miter box on a flat surface and secure it with clamps, if you have any.
Take a piece of wood that you are using to make the frame and place it inside the miter box with one end flush against the back of the box and the other extending beyond the cutting slot.
Place your hand saw in the cutting slot of the miter box. Make sure that the blade of the handsaw lines up with the 45° angle that you marked on your wood trim. Press the wood tightly against the side of the Miter box with one hand while you cut through it with the saw.
Duplicate your first piece of frame to create the top and bottom of your frame.
Repeat the process to make the short sides of the frame.
Sand the edges of the wood trim if necessary for a smooth finish.
Attach the frame using the same method as above.
Stain the wooden frame
Apply a coat of wood stain to the wood frame using a brush or a rag.
Allow the wood stain to dry according to the advice on the stain can. You may need to apply multiple coats for the desired shade (I used two coats). Let each coat dry completely before applying the next.
Create an aged wood finish
You can easily create an aged wood finish on DIY farmhouse signs using liming wax.
Dip your wax brush briefly into a tin of liming wax and gently skim across your wooden frame with the brush. Try not to be too heavy-handed with the brush, you are not looking to cover the wood stain with wax, but to give it a subtle whitewashed look.
Attach the frame to your farmhouse sign
There are a few ways you can attach a wood frame to your farmhouse sign. You can use wood glue, a staple gun, picture nails, or tacks. I used short nails to attach my frame to my sign and hammered them in at each corner and at various intervals around the frame.
Add hanging hardware (Optional)
If you plan to hang your frame on the wall, you can attach a picture wire or hanging hardware to the back of the frame.
Measure and mark the placement of the hardware on the back of the frame.
Picture hanging hardware usually comes with nails but if yours does not, use glue, small nails, or screws to secure the hardware in place.
Just like that, you've created a modern farmhouse sign and a wooden frame without the need for any power tools.
Now, all you need to do is hang your sign wherever you like.
Final thoughts on creating DIY farmhouse signs with a Cricut machine
Making signs is easy with this fun and easy tutorial for beginners who are just starting to use a Cricut Maker. The fact that you only need basic woodworking skills and no power tools also makes it perfect for beginners to woodworking. I guarantee that if you make this modern farmhouse sign, you will be so pleased with the results that you will want to make more custom wood signs to hang all over the house!
What do you think of DIY Farmhouse signs? Would you try making custom house signs like this one? Let me know in the comments below.
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