Silhouette Portrait Fabric Interfacing Tutorial

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Roeshel

As a Silhouette America affiliate, I have the opportunity to try new products and earn a small commission on sales while passing along special promotions. Here’s the current deal with awesome savings. Just use code “SHOWOFF” at checkout.

Did you know that Silhouette America has fun products like sewable fabric interfacing (thinner for sewing into place and washable) and clean cut fabric interfacing (thicker for no sew/no wash projects) for creating fabric appliqués?

Here’s a tutorial on how it works: I chose the sewable fabric interfacing.

1. Pre-wash/shrink fabric and t-shirt.

2. Open the Silhouette Studio software and create a shape, monogram, even lettering for words. I easily purchased a ‘greyhound shape’ from the Silhouette online shop for 99 cents for labeling the pet food jars a while back that I can use over and over again. The little girl in me decided to create a pink chevron appliqué for a plain white t-shirt. For me. To match my dog. I’m a dork like that. 😉

3. It’s easy to size in the software. I place my shape in the top left hand corner of the “cutting mat” in the open studio software.

4. Cut the appropriate sized piece of fabric and interfacing.

5. Next, iron together a piece the sewable fabric interfacing (rough side) to a piece of scrap fabric (cut to size) on the back/wrong side using the appropriate settings for the fabric.

{Wow! I guess I did get some sun in Mexico in Feb! I tan super easy/quick even with sunblock.}

6. Peel away the paper…you’ll see the ‘interfacing/glue’ has transferred to the fabric.

7. Then place the fabric onto the cutting mat (into the same location as shown in the Silhouette Studio software) and insert into the machine.

8. Hit “send to Silhouette”, change the blade and cut settings.

9. Click “cut”.

10. Once it’s finished cutting, remove the fabric from the cutting mat, toss the scraps and you’re left with an iron-on fabric appliqué.

11. Next I positioned the appliqué onto my t-shirt and ironed it on (using the heat setting for cotton). This holds it into place.

12. Then added stitching as close to the border as I could get with the sewing machine to make it more secure and durable for washing. Tip to help maneuver curves in a design: with the needle down (piercing the fabric appliqué), lift the foot then slide around the t-shirt, put the foot back down and resume sewing. Also, make sure NOT to sew the front of a shirt to the back while sewing!

All done! Here is what it looks like inside out and all complete…

Cute! I love it. 🙂

Me & CocoRosie…

Yes, this little Italian Greyhound has stolen my heart in the 1 month since we rescued her…

Note: I purchased the matching pink chevron dog leash (shown) and chevron dog collar (not shown) at Etsy shop, Learned Stitchworks. I loooove it (Thanks for the purple set too, Karen!) Gorgeous color choices, beautiful handmade quality, BEST pricing ever! Very satisfied customer. I need a set in every color, don’t you?

I purchased the (Riley Blake) pink chevron fabric from Fabric.com (leftover from the DIY dog bed cushion I made).

Back the fabric interfacing…It’s great for making personalized tea towels, baby blankets, tote bags, t-shirts, monogrammed pillow covers.

So not only does my Silhouette cut paper, vinyl and chipboard, it cuts fabric too! One more reason you can’t live without one! 🙂

Use code “SHOWOFF” at Silhouette America (this affiliate link) from now through May 31st to take advantage of the special pricing.

And how about a chance to win a Silhouette Portrait machine?!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner is Benny who says “My son is getting married soon, I would make ‘bride’ and ‘groom’ appliqued t-shirts.” Congratulations, Benny! Benny has been notified by email to claim her prize.

Giveaway starts today, 5/23 and ends Monday, May 27th at midnight EST. Winner will be chosen randomly and announced shortly after. Prize: Silhouette Portrait machine (supplies not included). This giveaway is sponsored by Silhouette America and open to US residents 18+ only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more chances to win, visit these blog friends:

Silhouette Chipboard & a Giveaway

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Roeshel

148

*This giveaway is now closed. Winner is Alexandra “I would love to use it to cut fabric and vinyl! I would love to make some art for my living room!” Congratulations, Alexandra. I will be contacting you through email with instructions to claim your prize!

Did you notice the “Hello Sunshine” banner on the patio swing makeover yesterday?

Silhouette now has chipboard! Adding another FUNction to my Silhouette machine. Love it! {This is a sponsored post with affiliate links when using code “showoff”.}

Chipboard Banner Tutorial

I created my banner letters using the Silhouette Studio software and sent to “cut”. Add chipboard to cutting mat and insert into the machine. Remember to change the settings for each page to “chipboard” and to change the blade depth before cutting.

Two ways to paint chipboard letters (I used acrylic craft paint):

1. Remove lettering and paint. You will have painted fingers when trying to hold letters.

2. Don’t punch out chipboard. Paint lettering intact then punch out when dry. Letters will need touched up when removed from chipboard.

I painted both sides. Letters may need to be placed under weights (books) to flatten when dry.

When dry, using a hole punch, I placed two small holes at the top of each letter.

And laced with two long pieces of ribbon (long enough for my words “Hello Sunshine”, including room for spacing and tying the ends. I laced starting in the back of the letter and pulling the ribbon through to the front, then into the second hole, coming out the back.

Tie off the ends.

Ready to hang! I think I’m going to add a little color to my banner. And I’m going to love making customized party banners.

May’s Promotional Bundles

Visit Silhouette America and use the promotional code “SHOWOFF” http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/chipboard to take advantage of these amazing deals:

(1) 1 Silhouette CAMEO®, 1 pack of chipboard, 1 natural dust cover, 1 $25 download card: $269.99

(2) 1 Silhouette Portrait™, 1 pack of chipboard, 1 grey dust cover, 1 $25 download card: $129.99

(3) 1 pack of chipboard, 1 $25 download card: $19.99

ENTER TO WIN A SILHOUETTE PORTRAIT:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open to US residents and runs Wednesday, May 8, 2013 until Monday, May 12, 2013. Winner will be chosen randomly and announced shortly after. Good luck!

Here’s a video with some awesome information on the new chipboard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL2qbJyUCu4&list=UUdt8jBsW4kvA__vAcAGMvBw Enjoy!

DIY Spring Sign

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Roeshel

It’s March! And that means spring is right around the corner I hope. Even though I’m looking at snow flurries, a little spring decorating is in order. I’m impatiently waiting and well, why not prepare to welcome spring when it arrives? A new DIY spring sign always gets motivated to decorate and a catchy spring phrase reminds me it’s almost time to celebrate warmer weather and longer days!

“Something in the air this morning made me feel like flying. . . “

Spring Flight

-Eileen Granfors

For this project, I gathered

an old canvas
acrylic craft paint
my Silhouette Studio Designer Edition software
my Silhouette Cameo.

Since I had messed up the canvas with a previous DIY fail (yes, it happens!), I gave it a coat of soft blue acrylic paint to cover up my error to create a blank slate. The texture of the failed project shows through a bit, but imperfection is charm and a little texture isn’t such a bad thing. 🙂

I created my spring stencil using the Silhouette Studio Designer Edition software which allows me to select fonts, sizes and shapes to create a stencil template. Then simply ‘send’ to cut…

Since I’m using my vinyl as a stencil, I removed all of the letters (these can also be saved to use in the same was as stickers or transferred directly to wood or glass as a vinyl transfer).

Use transfer paper over top of the stencil to transfer the vinyl stencil to the canvas. Rub into place and peel away the transfer paper.

It’s not quite that simple. Vinyl doesn’t stick so well to canvas, so it takes a lot of patience. Go slow.

The stencil is all ready to go.

I filled in my lettering with white acrylic craft paint. Since the vinyl does not have a great seal, I’m using my stencil as a guide and filling in the letters with a little bit of paint on the brush, pressing down the vinyl as I work on each individual letter. Slopping it on, will get under the vinyl.

Next, I carefully removed the vinyl stencil as soon as I finished painting and let my canvas dry.

Then just collected some of my favorite spring-y decor and created a vignette around my DIY spring sign as a focal point. Good bye winter blues!

Hello spring!

Silhouette America is running a crazy spring special you won’t want to miss! Just use the code “SHOWOFF” at checkout {affiliate link} now through March 8th to take advantage of the discount prices.

I’m ready for spring, all ready! How about you? Open up those drapes, let the light in and decorate!

Looking for more spring ideas?

Joining the Easter Crafts & Spring Link Party at HoneyBearLane.

The Countdown to Spring party is underway.

and being hosted by MaryAnn from Domestically Speaking this week with her gorgeous spring-inspiring mantel. Here’s a sneak peek…

Check it out!

Silhouette Double Sided Adhesive

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Roeshel

“Today will be the best day ever” … what a great quote to start each morning. Using Silhouette’s double sided adhesive, I now have a pretty glittery reminder that each day is a blessing.

I started by placing my text on a template in the Silhouette studio…

then simply loaded my paper/mat into my Cameo, adjusted my settings for cutting and sent it to cut….

What’s cool about the double sided adhesive paper is you remove the backing, press on the letters just like stickers, then remove the top white sheet, leaving transparent SUPER tacky tape in your perfect shape or text.

The Silhouette Double Sided Adhesive kit comes with glitter and flocking. I chose the pretty turquoise glitter and brushed it into place…

It’s super-fine and a bit of a chore to clean up but the result is awesome! I loved watching my transparent letters glitter, shine and come to life.

Then I snagged an old thrift store frame. gave it a coat of Rust-Oleum spray paint in “lagoon”…

and framed my new glittery print:

Doesn’t it just make you happy to read it…like seeing those words help start the day off on the right foot.

I use my Silhouette Cameo all.the.time. Don’t have one yet, want to try the double sided adhesive starter kit or TONS of other fun cutting projects? Simply use the code “SHOWOFF” at Silhouette America before the end of the day TODAY! (2/14) for an awesome discount. {Sorry for the late notice this time but by ordering now you can have it in time to create a really cute Pottery Barn inspired Happy Easter banner…that’s my plan!!}

Chevron Reindeer Games sign tutorial

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Roeshel

DIY Chevron Reindeer Games Sign

It’s officially time for Christmas decorating in our home! I know! By blogging standards, I’m late to the game. With a family room makeover in progress, it’s at a point where plans for completion can be put on hold until after the holidays and I can still decorate that room to be pretty once I put away the ladder and some tools. I really loved the chevron garden sign I made for summer {here}. I decided I wanted to create a fun colorful Christmas sign incorporating some of the fun colors in the fabric I chose for the curtains.

Remember the tabletop I replaced on the kitchen bar for the apartment? {If not, you can see my post on my DIY wood plank kitchen bar top.} Time to recycle it! I knew it’d be a great material for a DIY sign one of these days. Tabletop to holiday decoration. Why not? To prep for making a sign, I scuffed up the finish with sandpaper and gave it a coat of left over teal paint and let it dry. I’ll call it my “canvas”.

This is what the top looked like before:

Tips for creating a chevron pattern using FrogTape:

It’s hard to explain how to create a chevron pattern words/pictures {next time I’ll do a video} but some tips:

My first row is measured. 5″ strips of FrogTape.

Depending on how it would line up, I creased the edges of the tape (non-sticky side) to create a line for cutting.

Cut on fold.

I placed the angled side on my center pencil line and cut the bottom flush with the bottom of the canvas and smoothed it into place.

I drew vertical lines with my pencil from the peaks and “v’s” of my first chevron row.

Once my first line was in place, I used a piece of FrogTape for spacing, I worked from the center out by placing another longer piece of tape angled from the center pencil line down to the right pencil line.

Then I pulled up a corner and folded it on the pencil line so I would know where to cut. Most of the time, the pencil transferred to the sticky side of the tape, creating a cutting guide.

I repeated those steps until I reached the top and finished.

I used pink and white craft paint to add more color.

My plan was to paint the blue area showing green and peel away the FrogTape, but I decided to keep the FrogTape in place. {Paint colors: Benjamin Moore Pacific, DecoArt Pretty in Pink “Hope Pink” and Americana Warm White, Green is FrogTape}

Using my Silhouette Cameo, I chose a reindeer from the online store and my Cameo cut it out {brown vinyl}. I created my letters for “Reindeer Games December 25th” using the software and chose the premium dark red vinyl and LDI Fancy Font. I peeled away the negative vinyl (the parts that are not the design) and applied my transfer paper. I made sure the transfer paper was secure by rubbing with a credit card.

Peel away the backing {the vinyl is transferred to the tacky transfer paper} and place on canvas. Rub the design with a credit card to get it to stick and peel away the transfer paper. In my case, all of the design wasn’t transferring, so I had to be careful and some of my reindeer was applied just as I would a sticker.

I followed the same steps for my lettering, however, knowing that the transfer paper was tricky for my project, I chose to use Delicate Surface FrogTape (the yellow tape) to help transfer my letters. This worked a little easier than applying by hand like stickers and kept my lettering evenly spaced and level.

I haven’t had time yet, but since I have FrogTape and vinyl on my sign, I’m going to seal everything with a coat or two of ModPodge. Ta-da!

Non-traditional. Colorful. Fun. I love it. It fits in perfectly with my eclectic colorful family room.

What do you think? I just sort of quickly staged for photos so I could share this today. I’ll be re-arranging, re-decorating. In fact, this mantel is even moving to another wall. More on the family room renovation and Christmas decorating coming soon.

I will attach a saw tooth hanger to the back and hang and rearrange but…I wanted to get this done to share and to tell you something important:

*I was not compensated for my review but I did receive vinyl and I participate in the Silhouette America affiliate program and will earn a percentage of sales when you use the code “SHOWOFF” for your purchase. This is a sponsored post brought to you by FrogTape. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience. Results may vary.

Party time:

Songbird & Cottage Magpie

How to make a distressed chevron sign

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Roeshel

I wanted something bold to add to our summer mantel and decided a large distressed wooden chevron garden sign was the perfect focal point.

Materials:

scrap wood planks (I used two 1x4s and two 1x5s)
furring strip (cut into 2 pieces a little smaller than the width of my four 1x4s)
Gorilla wood glue
3 colors of paint (I used acrylic craft paint in white, green and brown)
glaze (or watered down brown paint)
Frog Tape Delicate (I used the 1.41 in. wide)
vinyl stencil (I created mine using my Silhouette Cameo)
(2) saw tooth picture hangers

Tools:

Sander (or sanding block)
Paint brushes
Clamps
Saw

Distressed Chevron Sign Tutorial: 1. I cut my scrap wood planks to measure 32 inches each. 2. Using Gorilla wood glue, I glued my planks together, clamped and let dry. 3. I glued two furring strips to the back for extra protection and added weights while they dried. You could also screw the furring strips into each plank.

4. Once all of the glue was dried, I sanded the edges of my boards.

5. Next I gave my sign a coat of white paint all over using a dry brush technique. 6. Once the paint was dry, I chose FrogTape Delicate (for freshly painted surfaces) and created a chevron pattern. I used a small piece of the tape to create spaces. 7. Once my FrogTape design was set, I rubbed down the edges and gave the untaped areas a coat of green paint. 8. Then a coat of glaze, brushed on, wiped off. I love that it gives it a summer grass/garden dirt feel. 9. As soon as I finished applying the glaze, I removed my tape and let the sign dry.

10. I love having a Silhouette Cameo (affiliate link below for a great deal) because I can create my own custom vinyl stencils, decals or lettering as needed. I created an cut out a garden quote with my Cameo and using transfer paper, applied the stencil to my sign (I also saved the letters as stickers to make another sign). 11. Using my brown craft paint, I gave each letter a couple of coats of paint. 12. As soon as I applied the last coat of paint to each letter, I removed my vinyl stencil and let the sign dry. 13. Attach saw tooth picture hangers to the back and it’s all done! I love how it turned out. Just the right amount of bold for my summer mantel!

{pallet shelving in faux mantel} A little inspiration for canning tomatoes this weekend… Summer is just about over (but you’ll be seeing this sign show up somewhere else very soon) and I’ll be working on putting together my fall mantel. And guess where I’ll be sharing? At the Countdown to Fall party coming up soon! Time to get your autumn projects ready and join in the fun!

The DIY Fall Festival will also be starting soon! Get a head start on inspiration for your fall DIY projects from previous years’ DIY Fall Festival parties.

I received vinyl to share this tutorial and will receive a percentage of sales from this SILHOUETTE end of summer PROMOTION: This promotion runs from August 23 through the 31^st.Using the discount code “SHOWOFF” will get you a nearly $75 discount when you visit this affiliate link:http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/blog-vinyl-5.aspx. Plus, all vinyl will be 40% off when you use the “SHOWOFF” promo code.

This is a sponsored post brought to you by FrogTape. The opinions and instructions are completely based on my own experience.

DIY Show Off ™ – DIY Decorating and Home Improvement Blog

DIYShowOff – Budget Friendly Do-It-Yourself Home Improvement and Decorating blog

Tag Archives: Silhouette