Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Cutting fabric with the Cricut

Hello, friends!

I got a lot of questions yesterday about cutting fabric using your Cricut, so I thought I would make a post giving some quick tips.

Items you will need to be successful in your fabric cutting venture:

Heat and Bond

Sticky Mat

Sharp Blade





COTTON FABRIC

SPRAY STARCH





Next, you need to make sure you wash and dry your fabric, bag, shirt, or pillowcase first. Do not use fabric softener when washing fabric. Then iron and starch fabric that you will be cutting.

Iron on Heat and Bond to the material as directed from packaging. Let fabric cool completely before cutting.

Now you can begin cutting.

On the old machine:

your blade should be at 6
Pressure at 5
Speed at 1
Multi- cut 2

On the E2:

your blade should be at 6
Pressure at 5

Speed at 1
No multi-cut


Cutting Tips:

- Make sure fabric is cool before cutting with the machine.

- Intricate cutting is more of a challenge, so start off cutting with simpler shapes like circles, squares, and fat lettering.  Avoid thin lettering and designs with swirls.

- Keep some small tipped scissors near by to trim any missed cuts.

- There are some good videos on how to do this on You Tube and some not so good videos, so be cautious when choosing one to abide by. I have found the ones which are done by quilters to be the most valuable. 

Until I started cutting fabric these past two months with my machine, I had not worked with fabric at all. I cannot even thread a sewing machine needle! That being said, if I can do it you can too! I am sure there are lots of you out there who are proficient sewers and will find this easy as pie. For those of you green horns like me, don't be intimidated. It is easier than you might think it is!

Tomorrow is Hello Thursday, so check in with me for my post. I think you guys are going to love this release!

Have a great Wednesday!

PEACE, LOVE, & CRAFTS!


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127 comments:

Nanette said...

Thanks for the tips on cutting fabric. I am going to be bookmarking this page so that when I am ready to try this I will be able to find it again.

scrapdiva said...

Thank you for the tips, I will try it

Anonymous said...

Wow this is such a great tip, thanks.

Eveline

snappy scrappy said...

Thanks for the tips! Lee-Ann :)

Carol W. said...

Thank you for the tips!

LindaP said...

Thanks so much for the tips on cutting material. I have wanted to try this but wasn't sure but know that you have gave directions I am ready to give it a go...
thanks again
LindaP

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the great tips on cutting fabric. Have wanted to try that technique for some time now.

TheLastOfNine said...

Thank you for the tips.
Gloria

Jackie said...

That's awesome going to try it out. I love cutting w/fabric. I use my big shot, but limited on that machine. Now I can try on my cricut. Love yesterday's bag too! Thanks for the tips.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I am really looking forward to trying this technique out, I have all the materials and it all sounds like a lot of fun. Cool idea!!! thanks!

TyTynNiyasmom said...

Thanks for the tips on cutting with fabric.

Candace
mypassion4scrappin.blogspot.com

Got2BCrafting said...

Thank you so much for the great info. I have had the all the supplies for a while now, but have been too imtimidated to try. I think I am going to give it a shot! :)
Lori

Elaine said...

Wonderful, perfectly simple instructions that spell it all out! Love it!

Diana Joy said...

Thank you.

loving3boys1girl said...

Thanks for the tips. I've wanted to try but after failing with felt, I never bothered. :) Looking forward to Hello Thursday!!

~Tracy
blue.tacs at yahoo dot com

Susan said...

You're so clever at coming up with creative ideas! I have made cards with fabric, but haven't tried cutting the fabric out with my Cricut. Will give it a try. Thanks so much for sharing.
SusanJ in Atlanta

Crhiga said...

Thank you for the tips on cutting fabric!! I have to try this one day!!

Carol

Amanda said...

Thanks for sharing this! I need to give it a try! :)

ursula Uphof said...

Thanks for the tips Melanie, I am going to give it a try.

bettie said...

Great tips, really want to try this!

Unknown said...

cant wait to give it a try

Linda Osterwise, DT said...

Thanks for the tips on cutting fabric. I hope your entry into the world of sewing grows... it can almost be as much fun as paper-crafts!

Nu2scrap said...

Thanks for the explicit instructions Melanie! -Barb-

Windy said...

Thanks for the directions.

Roxanne K said...

great idea! thank you for the tips!

kat60 said...

Thanks for the info cutting fabric!!!!!

Linda said...

Thank you for the info on cutting fabric.
Linda in Stanwood

Carole said...

I have used fabric once before to make birthday shirts for my daughter and her friends. It is fun and very rewarding!

1jazzymimi said...

Have to admit -- I'm a bit nervous cutting fabric with my Cricut! Would love to win the stamp sets! Less nervous about stamping! Thanks for the chance to win such a nice gift.

Monica said...

Thank you so much for the pictures and great explanations.
I love what you did.

Elizabeth Alvarez said...

Thank you for the tips on cutting fabric, I have been afraid of messing up my cricut but now I think I'll give it a try.
elizabethalvarez68@yahoo.com

Cassandra said...

What fabulous tips! Thanks so much!

Sparkly Scrap Girl said...

Thank you for the tips and showing us the tools we need to cut fabric. YOu are fabulous!

Scrapper69 said...

Thanks for the Tips Melanie! I've never tried Fabric before.... Looks like it'll be fun! :o)
Theresa

Angela said...

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm in your boat. . . not well versed in anything sewing related.

Liz O. said...

Thank you for the tips! I have been wondering about how to do this. Have a lovely day!
Liz

SHELLEE said...

Thanks so much for the tips! This page has been printed and saved!
TFS!!
Shellee

Denise-Scrapmouse said...

Thank you very much for all this info! It will come in very handy.

Joan Smith said...

TFS....great...no...awesome tips!!!

Parcha said...

Thanks for the tips. I've been wanting to try this.

Short Scrapper said...

Thanks for the info. I'm getting ready for another wedding and this will help me a lot!!!

SallyP said...

After seeing some of your projects done with fabric and your tips today, I am going to try my hand at it!

Doris P. said...

so many thank you's... i need to print this out and save it!! Awesome instructions!!
parkernana5@cox.net

Joni said...

Great tips. I will have to try this.

JoAnne said...

As a quilter, I have been thinking of using my fabric and with your tips I am going to give it a try. Thanks!

Linda said...

Wow Courtney this is a get tip. Thanks

Gale said...

Thank you for this great info ....I have been thinking about trying this , but was not sure how to prepare the fabric...thanks again for all of your posts .

Northwoodszoo said...

Thank you for yet another very helpful lesson. Can't wait to try it.

Kaycee said...

That's awesome!!! Thanks for the lesson!

Conniecrafter said...

Thank you for sharing this post, it was very imformative and I think I might be able to do it :)

lynny_tin said...

WooWhooo! Thanks for the info! You are the best! I appreciate everything you do for us! Don't know where you find the time with all you have on your plate but again THANKS! Lynn

scrapdiva said...

Thank you for the info

Nanci said...

Thanks so much for the instructions. I am going to try this soon.

Peg Toth said...

a million thanks for posting this blog! I have been tempted to cut material with my cricut, but didn't want to ruin the machine or the material. Thanks again!

Julie said...

I have been cutting fabric for a while and LOVE IT! It's so easy and then you can just sew it on! I also like using the "Freezer Paper" (which you buy near the wax paper at your grocery store) and cutting designs out and using the outside of the design as a stencil, ironing it on your fabric and painting - once your paint is dry you can pull the freezer paper right off your material! It's so easy!

Nancy said...

Awesome... Thanks for the tips on cutting fabric with the Cricut,,,, I have wondered how to do it,,, Know I know,,, Thanks
nkmedar56@gmail.com

Miranda said...

Thanks for the tips! :)

Brenda66 said...

Thank Your for sharing your tips on cutting fabric!

Anonymous said...

What a great tip! Thanks!

LaurieD said...

I knew about the Heat and Bond, but didn't know about the spray starch so thank you very much!!

Daynene said...

Great idea and instructions, TFS.

lindave said...

Thanks for the tip. will definately have to try this.

Marissa said...

OOoooh, can hardly wait to try! Thanks for the tips!

Carolee said...

Thanks for the fabric tips. That opens up another fun world of crafting with the Cricut.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the information. I will have to give this fabric cutting a try.
Donna Thomas
thom4398@bellsouth.net

Nancy said...

Thank you so much for this info! I am going to try it in the next few days!! If I can do a good job it will make a nice Christmas gift to decorate sweatshirts, shirts or lots of other stuff.

Peg said...

May have to give this a try!

DEBBIE ORR said...

Thanks for the great tips

ellen_mangione said...

I wondered how it was done. Thanks!

Michele said...

Thank you for the instructions! Love your blog!

Luv 2 Create said...

Great tips, thanks.
Marcie

Lynn B said...

Thank you so much for these very informative instructions! I have so much fabric that I am not using and this is the perfect way to use it up!! And now is the time to get started on my Christmas gifts!! Thanks again! You are super!! :)

Jan said...

Thanks for such great tips!

MizMaryAnn said...

I really appreciate your instructions on cutting fabric. Thank you.

Rebecca's Card Hobby said...

Thanks for the instructions and tips for using fabric with the cricut.

Anonymous said...

Just to say I had good results using cotton fabric and light weight laminating one side (using a silcone sheet in laminater and half a laminating sheet) saves on the heat and bond if you in a hurry - laminating sheet makes a good subsitute for a aceatate sheet too!

Shawnee said...

Thanks for this great tip!

Shawnee
blessedonthebrightside.com

momma mo said...

thank you for the info. I haven't tried cutting fabric. Too intimidated I suppose. Thank you for the little extra push!

Works From The Attic by Linda said...

Thank you for the great instructions! I have so many designs that would be great on t-shirts! Thanks again!
Linda Marino

mdog said...

Thanks for making that clear - I was wondering how you did it!

Carolyn K. said...

I cut fabric once and struggled with it a bit. Your tips will be very helpful. Thanks Melanie!

Unknown said...

Great tip Melanie! TFS, Mary M

Kim. said...

Great idea Melanie thanks for offering these great tips.
Kim xXx

Karen said...

Thanks, Melanie for the great tips. You make it sound so easy!

Wendy (aka Roo) said...

Thanks for all the tips. I love to cut fabric with my expression. I didn't know about the starch though, what does that do? Guess I can check out the videos you suggested. Never would have thought to look for ones from quilters.
Puppy Hugs!

Wendy Raffin said...

So nice of you to share all of this! That is why I LOVE your blog!

mamaj said...

finally some information on cutting fabric. Thanks for the tips!

shrtnsassy said...

Great info for cutting fabric. I may try this at a later date.

SherriU

paper fun said...

I love the new release!

Tanik said...

Wow! All those cartridges are amazing! I will have to start saving up. Thanks souch for all your wonderful inspiration.

Beth F. said...

Thanks so much for your wonderful insight on cutting fabric! I tried a flower earlier and it cut fairly well, but I did not use a new blade or the spray starch. Next time I will know!!

Mountain Mama said...

Can't thank you enough to posting how to use the Cricut with fabric! I've been afraid to try it without knowing what I am doing. So a big thank you for posting these instructions!

Jaren said...

Oh I really wanted some tips! Thanks!
Jarendubois@yahoo.com

Labguides said...

Nice tip.

MimiKat said...

That was my original intent for the Cricut. Thanks so much for sharing these tips.

Kat
cricutcardcreating.blogspot.com

Lyn said...

Thanks for this article. I have cut fabric with my Cricut but am always looking for new tips to make it easier and more successful. First time I've seen the use of spray starch. Will have to try your method. Lyn

Anonymous said...

Thank you for helpful tips and wonderful projects.

Just A Pac Rat said...

Thanks for sharing, I am going to give it a try today.

circlebenterprises.blogspot.com

Annita said...

I would really love to try this. I got a Cricut for my birthday but I haven't even tried it out yet! Cutting fabric with it seems like it would be amazing!

If you know of specific Youtube videos that show the correct way of doing it, would you mind linking to it? I would really like to make some stuff for my babies.

Thank you!

Trena Irby said...

I am so glad you explained wash and dry 1st. I can not wait to do this. I have my Grandmother's thin striped cotton dish towels and I want to cut letters in the strips . I might make the flowers with the rest. Hope it works.

mamaj said...

Thanks for the tips, this is must try!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the cricut tips! I am a newbie trying to get as much experience as possible!!!!!!! Thank you! I am currently experimenting with the fabric cutting!!!!!!

stampinglady said...

I'm such a novice and still learning how to use paper in my cricut.

jordanbev5@yahoo.com said...

I knew most of these steps but hadn't heard about the starch. TFS!
Beverly
jordanbev5@yahoo.com

Cindy Groh said...

Fabulous:) Thank you

Juanita Braun said...

This is just what wanted to try. Thanks for the tips

debkeys said...

This looks like a neat idea that can be used for so many different ideas. Thanks for the tips.

d said...

Love that you put in setting for the machine. My first try wasn't so good but I didn't use the spray starch. I will try that next time.

Claudia Pavan Scrap said...

Thanks for sharing!
Hugs from Brazil!

gypsyrps said...

Do you place fabric face up or down? I agree about cutting larger objects. I cut some flowers from Walk in my Garden for applique and they turned out nice. Stem not so much but haven't tried starching. It may be the missing ingredient for smaller projects. TFS

Mary said...

can't wait to try this!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the great instructions!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tips!

Linda M said...

Thanks for the tip of cutting with the Cricut!!!!

beene2000 said...

I tried to cut material on my Expression but it didn't turn out too good (a few weeks ago), but I just got my Expression2 today and can't wait to try your technique!! Thanks for the tips, and keep them coming please!!

betty Shows said...

Have never cut material with the cricut before but with your tips I will sure give it a try, thanks

Electra said...

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
I just can not thank you enough. I printed out these instructions so I will always have them.
Now, I am going to cut some cotton designs with my cricut.

JuPooh65 said...

Thanks so much for the fabric cutting tips. Now, I am dying to try it. :D

Sandra Joy said...

I'm one of those people who also feels intimidated by this process. But, I am going to try it...I am going to try it...really I am!

Pam said...

Ok you have convinced me! I will try cutting fabric with my cricut! I just need to get the heat and bond! Thanks for all the tips I can't wait to try it!!!!!!!!

Elaine S. said...

My comment is that without all the bloggers explaining how to use the Cricut in so many ways, ProvoCraft would never have sold so many! There is way more info on blogs than they have ever given us. I certainly would never have known how to cut fabric, for one example. Thank you.

Pam said...

Thank you for the detailed information on cutting fabric with cricut. This would be great for decorating jelly towels for the kitchen, (great gifts).

flo's-a-scrapin said...

i must see if i can get some of the heat and bond and give this a try. thanks for the inspiration

Anonymous said...

rosebud114 Thanks for the step-by-step on how to work with fabric and the cricut. You are always a
help and my inspiration.

Wendy Raffin said...

I am a day late on this technique, as always...lol, but seriously cant wait to try it! TYFS

Barbara D. said...

I have printed out the instructions. Have never tried this, but you have inspired me. Is it possible to adhere these fabric cutouts on cards? You can certainly see how new I am to card making and crafts!

 
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