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Part II: Using Heat Transfer Vinyl with Fabric PLUS Free Flower Cut File

Have you always wanted to learn how to use heat transfer vinyl with fabric? Then you’re in luck because today’s tutorial is the one for you!

Have you always wanted to learn how to use heat transfer vinyl with fabric? Then you're in luck because today's tutorial is the one for you!

Happy Monday, friends! Do you remember a few weeks ago when I shared my post How to Use Heat Transfer Vinyl? Well, guess what?

TODAY I’m going to be showing you the Part II: Using Heat Transfer Vinyl with Fabric PLUS Free Flower Cut File that just so happens to be another hand-drawn design that you’ll be able to use for all of your personal projects. Sounds pretty good, right?

Ok, so just a reminder, I’ve found that heat transfer vinyl can be a little tricky. It’s mainly the whole cutting part that can be a little trying, but after that it’s smooth sailing!

However, I’m going to keep this simple and get to the point as quickly as possible so you can get started with your own projects.

Psstt… one more quick note! Just in case you’re forgotten I also have a wonderful collection of digital cut files that are readily available in my shop, and I wanted to show you one of the many ways you can use them for your own creativity.

Without further ado, let’s get this party started!

This post is sponsored by Silhouette. However, I will still be providing my amazing readers with opinions that are 100% my own, and based on my personal experience using their AWESOME products. 

SUPPLIES

STEPS

  • Open up Silhouette Studio.
  • On their Welcome screen or from the File dropdown at the top you will select “Open”. 
  • Then, select the design file you would like to cut out.
  • Once your file is placed onto your blank page you will need to click on the “Open the Trace Window” button in the top right hand corner. It looks like a blue and yellow square with an aqua butterfly within it. 
  • For this next step you will be tracing your image so it will be recognized by Silhouette with its own cut lines. Click on the “Select Trace Area” button and create a large box around your design. Essentially you will be clicking and then dragging the box to create a square.
  • Next, under the Trace Method section on your right sidebar click the “Trace” button.
  • Then, click on your design again and drag your image to the right. You should see your original design, and then also a red outline (the cut version) of it as well. Delete the original. 

NOTE: Need more in-depth instructions on how to do the Silhouette Studio steps? Check out the video tutorial below!

  • For this particular flower design it looks nice oriented to the left or right, but if you plan on using text you will definitely need to mirror the image prior to cutting it out. You can do this two different ways.
  • 1.) You can right click on your design and click “Flip Horizontally” OR 2.) Click on the “Open the Replicate Window” tab/icon and click either “Mirror Right” or “Mirror Left”.
  • Then, measure your fabric and make sure your design is the correct dimensions for your desired end result.
Have you always wanted to learn how to use heat transfer vinyl with fabric? Then you're in luck because today's tutorial is the one for you!
  • Click on the “Design Page Settings” icon/tab on the top right corner of your screen.
  • On this tab you’ll find the ability to change your page dimensions (width and height), rotating views, mat size, and also options to turn on print and cut borders.
Have you always wanted to learn how to use heat transfer vinyl with fabric? Then you're in luck because today's tutorial is the one for you!
  • Then, send it to your CAMEO machine to be cut. In your upper left hand side of the page you’ll see an “A” on a small design that looks like your machine. Click this.
  • On the right hand side of your page your “Send to Silhouette” icon/tab will open. Click on the button at the bottom that is labeled Advanced Settings.
  • In this tab you can change your Cut Mode, Cut Style, and Material. My recommended settings for each is: Cut Mode -Standard, Cut Style – Cut, Material Type – Heat Transfer Material   
  • Now, as for the blade setting… this can be a little tricky. I was using an old blade and the recommended blade setting for my machine was set at 2. This didn’t cut my design at all for me. So, I upped it to three and four… still nothing.

NOTE: Don’t be like me and forget to use the “Test Cut” option after wasting valuable pieces of heat transfer vinyl. Ugh.

  • ALWAYS, always, alwayssss use your “Test Cut” option while you’re figuring out what setting your blade needs. I ended up putting in a new blade and then using a setting of 3 to work for this particular project.
  • After you’ve figured out what settings will work for your heat transfer vinyl you’ll click on the “Send to Silhouette” tab to actually cut out your design.

NOTE: I always use my mat when I’m cutting my designs out. Personal preference I suppose, but I swear by it. It always turns out better for me.

Have you always wanted to learn how to use heat transfer vinyl with fabric? Then you're in luck because today's tutorial is the one for you!

NOTE: Don’t forget to put the GLOSSY side DOWN. The glossy side is your transfer tape so when you are pulling your design out of your vinyl you do not want to cut through this side.

Have you always wanted to learn how to use heat transfer vinyl with fabric? Then you're in luck because today's tutorial is the one for you!
  • After you’ve cut out your design weed/pull out all the pieces that you will not be using and do not want on your fabric. Basically, as you can see in the below picture, your design will be left on your clear backing (acting as transfer tape) so it will make it super easy for you to flip over and iron it on.
  • Next, flip your design over so your heat transfer vinyl design is on your fabric in your desired location.
  • Last, put your pillowcase (or a thin piece of fabric over your heat transfer vinyl) and iron it on.
  • I set my iron to the highest setting, and moved it back and forth on my design using heavy pressure for about a minute.
  • Remove your iron and pillowcase and gently try pulling up your clear backing. If your heat transfer vinyl does not stick to your fabric you’ll need to iron it for a little longer.
  • When it is sticking to your fabric go ahead and slowly pull off your clear backing.
  • Then, repeat the same process with your other pattern on the opposite of your shorts.
Have you always wanted to learn how to use heat transfer vinyl with fabric? Then you're in luck because today's tutorial is the one for you!

Part II: Using Heat Transfer Vinyl with Fabric PLUS Free Flower Cut File

Not to bad, right? It does take a few minutes to figure out the blade, but other than that I absolutely LOVE the results. Plus, these shorts are so darn cute that it has my wheels turning! Definitely keep your eyes for more projects with heat transfer vinyl. I’m a fan! 😉

Have you always wanted to learn how to use heat transfer vinyl with fabric? Then you're in luck because today's tutorial is the one for you!

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