That your Cricut can cut fabric?!
Am I the last one to figure this out?! I had heard rumors that this was true, but decided to try it out for myself to make my little guy this applique shirt:
One of the things I like least about sewing is the cutting, so this little trick is going to save me for sure. Here is what I did:
1. I used a 100% cotton fabric. I am not sure if any other fabrics would work. I pre-washed my fabric with NO fabric softener.
2. I adhered Heat-N-Bond to my fabric. I have heard that Pellon does NOT work, so avoid that. I just followed the directions on the package.
3. I peeled the paper backing off of the fabric and adhered it right on my Cricut mat. I smoothed it on the mat so it was good and smooth. I cleaned my mat right before this step, just to be sure it would have the ultimate clean cut.
4. On my cricut, I set the speed on the lowest possible setting and the pressure on the highest possible setting to be sure it would go slow enough and deep enough to cut through. I have also heard that using a brand new blade ensures the best cut or having a blade set aside just for cutting fabric would be a good idea. But I used my old, very-used blade and had no problems at all.
Because I was doing an applique, I ironed my fabric right on my shirt. I found that my large fabric pieces "stuck" the best at this point. My tiny "Lucky Charms" letters needed an extra layer of Heat-n-Bond to stick. It seemed to lose some stickiness after I peeled them off the mat.
So after sewing around my edges, here is the final effect!! My little guy is a very active model--a moving target!! I thought this was the most manly shamrock, but just in case I paired it up with his camo pants. I don't want anyone thinking he is wearing a flower!! Strangers STILL ask me if he is a girl. Must be those pretty blue eyes.
This is the best view I could get of the back of the shirt. By the way, appliquing tiny letters is so difficult!!! My mother and I both had the hardest time. So I gave up on the shirt saying "Lucky Charm" and just went with "Lucky." I am definitely going simple with my next applique. No more tiny letters!!!
Linking up to 
That is super cute! I so badly want a Cricut!
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't know you could do that either! Way neat! One day I will get one....
ReplyDeleteVery cute shirt. He'll be all set for the green dinner!
ReplyDeleteI tried it but I kept the paper backing on from the heat-n-bond so didn't get a clean cut. Have to try it this way... what pressure setting did you use with the blade?
ReplyDeleteTotally love this tutorial!! Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteI tried it with wonder under... it worked but it stretched out the fabric and didn't work super well. Just FYI.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this tutorial! I am going to have to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteAnother trick you can use is to purchase quilting sticky spray and spray your cutting mat before you place the fabric on there, it will hold the fabric securely without having to loose the stick by peeling off the paper from the heat and bond. this is also a good trick for keeping the same cricut mat without having to buy a new one every time the stick goes away- just spray it with more quilting sticky spray and whala! you have a good as new mat. you can also buy wonder under which is double sided interfacing
ReplyDeleteThis is great. I have wondered about this for awhile, but never had the guts to try it on my Cricut. My daughter and I are going to have so much fun making some creative things now!
ReplyDeleteOh I just got a Cricut this week ($84 at Jo Anne's!!) and I can't wait to try this! A great way of combining my two loves... paper crafting and sewing!!
ReplyDeletethank you!!!
ReplyDeletei am so excited to try it!!
oh and nice to meet you too!
Oh wow how neat! Come share your idea at my party: Thursday's Treasures!!
ReplyDeletehttp://treasuresfortots.blogspot.com/2010/03/thursdays-treasures-week-13.html
Oh, so cute! I knew I wanted a Cricut for some reason :)
ReplyDeleteYay! I've been trying to figure out how to do this forever!
ReplyDeletejust a suggestion, after a while i have found the applique can start to peel of at the edges. I would just do a quick stitch around it just to secure it. You could even do a cute blanket stitch.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for all of your kind comments!!! They seriously make my day!! Here's a couple of answers to questions:
ReplyDeleteKim, I set the pressure on the blade to 5. I have heard cutting it in "portrait" mode may help too, although I didn't try it.
I did use the quilters basting spray on my mat just before doing this to give it some extra stickiness just like Carlie suggested. I love that stuff and it HAS saved me from buying extra mats even though mine has taken a beating!!
Fox's, you are exactly right about sewing around appliques. I did sew around all of the edges of my applique... I will have to do a better close up on it, perhaps.
Carole, you are going to LOVE your cricut. Man, I feel empty if I go a day without using it. Just kidding, but I DO love it.
That is awesome! I have a cricut and never use it. I just need to make time to try this out! Great job!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried to cut fabric with my cricut (it is on my to-do list though) but I ran across this the other day and thought I'd share - it looks a little different than what you're doing and may help (or not)? Just a different version from what I can tell -
ReplyDeleteHappy Cricut-ting!
http://imperfectlybeautifulms.blogspot.com/2010/02/cutting-fabric-with-your-cricut.html
Brilliant! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGoodness - thank you so much for this.
ReplyDeleteI've tried so many times, but never removed the paper backing, and would always give up! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
This is like Christmas in March, girl! Thanks so much! I'm looking forward to trying this out and getting lots of miles out of my cricut.
ReplyDeleteI have been to chicken to try it, but you have given me the encouragement I needed to give it a go. May I ask what cartridge you have that did the shamrock? I have been looking for one but didn't see it.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the tutorial !
Ange... I gave up on buying cartridges and bought a computer program instead. It's called Sure Cuts A Lot 2. You can use your own computer fonts and download any image you want for your cricut to cut. I LOVE it!! So I just googled shamrock images and downloaded one. I highly recommend this program--no more cartridges!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU!!! YOU ARE NOT THE LAST TO FIGURE IT OUT!! My whole family of sisters and mom are thrilled with this knowledge. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHey! I came over from U Create. Love the shirt! And your little boy is adorable! Love those little teeth! And, don't worry, people constantly think my little girl (dressed in pink flowers) is a boy!
ReplyDeleteI have the smaller Cricut. Think it will work just as well?
Which Cricut machine do you use? I have been considering getting one, but I don't know if the inexpensive one from JoAnn's would work as well as a more expensive version.
ReplyDeleteI just got a Cricut and am so excited to find out I can use it cut fabric. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSo cute! Has anyone tried cutting felt on their Cricut? I just have the regular Cricut, not the Expression. I want to make some cute crowns out of felt for my twins' barnyard birthday party.
ReplyDeleteAllyOOp, I have a Cricut Expressions, and I am by no means an expert on the other machines, so I am not sure about the cheaper version. Let me know though!
ReplyDeleteKatie, if you try out felt, let me know!! Barnyard birthday party?! Cute!!
this may have already been said but you don't peel the paper off before you cut. that helps a lot. i've cut a TON of fabric...you can use the purple heat n bond so you can sew it, too.
ReplyDeleteyou can use the reg. cricut to cut felt. i did that, too.
i've used my cricut to cut gumpaste as well :) that i got from a dvd www.creativedesignscakes.com
Wow. Really??? I never thought of using my Cricut to cut fabric. That is so cool! And, your little one is too adorable BTW. :)
ReplyDeleteShut up! No way! I'm super excited and I am not kidding!! This is going to be great! I've been wanting to get a Big Shot because I know they cut fabric, but now I don't have to. Thanks for the tip and of course, it's adorable on your cute little guy. BTW, I have a giveaway going on right now. Come on over and enter!
ReplyDeleteahh i love it!!! I am so going to cut some fabric this weekend with my cricut!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy niece sent me to your blog, and I just tried this! THanks!!!!!!! SOOO CUTE!
ReplyDeleteI have a cricket and have been looking everywhere for how to cut fabric! I'm so excited to try this! thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete