Silhouette Portrait Fabric Interfacing Tutorial

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.blogger-promo-may-23

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?

Silhouette fabric interfacing

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

fabric interfacing tutorial

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.

silhouette studio

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

Silhouette 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.

ironing interfacing

{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.

heat transferrable fabric interfacing

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.

Silhouette cutting fabric

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

silhouette fabric blade

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.

SIlhouette applique

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.

ironing appliqueironing applique

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!

sewing applique

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

Silhouette applique inside outside

Cute! I love it. 🙂

Silhouette-greyhound-applique

Me & CocoRosie…

CocoRosie and Roeshel

Roeshel and Rosie

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

DIY chevron greyhound applique

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.

blogger-promo-may-23

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. 

diyshowoff-silhouette-portrait-giveaway

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

*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?

patio swing makeover - after

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

Silhouette Chipboard 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.

silhouette-chipboard-project

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.

painting chipboard

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

how to paint 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.

silhouette chipboard banner

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.

chipboard banner tutorial

Tie off the ends.

silhouette-chipboard-banner-tutorial

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.

patio swing makeover

May’s Promotional Bundles

May Deals at Silhouette

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

diyshowoff-silhouette-portrait-giveaway

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

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

spring-diy-sign

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. 🙂

diy-canvas-sign

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…

silhouette-studio-designer-edition

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).

weeding-vinyl

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.

DIY-transferring-vinyl

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

diy-vinyl

The stencil is all ready to go.

diy-vinyl-on-canvas

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.

diy-painting-sign

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

removing-vinyl-stencil

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!

spring-Silhouette-DIY-sign

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.

silhouette-promotion

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

spring-mantel

Looking for more spring ideas?

Joining the Easter Crafts & Spring Link Party at HoneyBearLane.

The Countdown to Spring party is underway.

countdown to spring

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

spring mantel at Domestically Speaking

Check it out!