I have really been craving some craft time, so I signed up to participate in this month’s Silhouette Challenge. But, of course, as the weekend approached I had absolutely no idea exactly what I wanted to craft…yikes!
Then I saw this hybrid challenge at Sweet Shoppe Designs’ May Pinterest Portfolio Challenge.
Immediately, I knew that this would be my inspiration for this month’s challenge!!!
For an extra challenge, I decided to use fabric instead of paper for my Spring Hoop. This would be my first time cutting fabric with my silhouette and I was terrified!!!
Everything that I used in this project was craft materials that I had on hand or got from a friend…it cost absolutely nothing!
I used an old pink baby sheet as the background fabric which went right into the embroidery hoop. I also decided to washi tape the outside of the hoop instead of painting it. I am kind of in love with washi tape right now.
I decided to cut out the outline of a bird from one of my digital scrapbooking kits. One of my favorite things about the silhouette is that I can use my huge digital scrapbooking stash with it. This is the biggest reason that I decided to trade in my Cricuit for a Silhouette.
I used an adorable bird from Zoe Pearn’s How Tweet It Is kit…so stinkin’ cute!!!
I just opened the image that I wanted to use in the Silhouette software and traced it to get the outline of the bird.
For cutting fabric with the silhouette, first I placed fabric interfacing on it. I had some Wonder Under fabric interfacing and just went with using it, hoping all the while that it would suffice and it did!
To use the fabric interfacing, first you need to iron the rough side of it onto the wrong side of your fabric. Use a dry iron (no steam) with the wool setting. I held the iron in place for roughly 20-30 seconds in each area of the fabric until it was all ironed on.
Next place the fabric on the cutting mat (right side up) and load it into the Silhouette.
In the Silhouette software choose the cut settings for “fabric cotton print w/fabric interfacing”. The speed was set at 5, thickness at 33, and blade was 3. I did use a separate fabric blade for this project.
I admit I had to take a few deep breaths before hitting the “Cut” button. I was so scared that something would go wrong!
But I really had nothing to fear…the silhouette worked it’s magic and I had a beautiful bird shape that I adore!
You’ll need to gently pull the paper backing from the fabric and iron the cut fabric onto your background fabric. I got busy working and forgot to take pictures of this step. Actually I completely forgot to pull the paper backing off until I ironed a bit and couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t sticking to the background fabric. DUH!
I decided to pull out my sewing machine and sew the bird shape applique onto my background fabric. This gave some added dimension and it helps to keep the cut fabric in place.
I had a little audience watching me sew!
After sewing the cut shape on, all I had left was to place it in the hoop and add embellishments…the really fun part!
I did a print and cut with the word strips. They’re also from Zoe’s How Tweet It Is digital kit. The “Smile” letters, butterflies, flowers, and butterfly came from a friend’s craft stash. (thanks so much, Jenn!!) They were all hot glued on.
I also hot glued on a button eye for my little spring bird.
This is one of my favorite projects ever!
My Spring Hoop is hanging on the wall in my kitchen and I love the “spring-y” feel that it adds!
This post is a part of a super fun group posting event called The Silhouette Challenge, started by the lovely and creative Lauren of The Thinking Closet. Each month we’ll be posting a different project we made using our Silhouette cutting machine. This month I am joining four other bloggers in sharing our projects. Check out their lovely creations below!
I Heart Labels: Flour & Sugar Jar Edition – The Thinking Closet
Bleeding Heart Card with Free Flower Download – Creative Turn
A Numbers Game – Learning Numbers with Your Preschooler – Lil Mrs. Tori
My First Silhouette Challenge Group Project – Tanya’s Creative Space
Personalized Garden Post & Grandma Book (Silhouette Mother’s Day Presents) – Whole New Leaf
Girly Superhero Decor – Coley’s Corner
“A Cup of Tea” Customizable Art Printable – Tried & True
The Lady in Hat “Thinking of You” Card – An Elegant Touch
Interested in joining us for our group posting event next month? We’d love to have you. Simply contact Lauren from The Thinking Closet by email.
Laura C says
That turned out great! I haven’t done any fabric with my Cricut yet either. Just recently gotten into doing more stuff with vinyl. Made a monogrammed tumbler for my Mom for Mother’s Day.
Monica says
I bet your mom loved her monogrammed tumbler!
Jennifer says
I love love love how it turned out!
Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says
I might be as in love with this project as you are, Monica! Everything from the textures to the embroidery hoop to the washi to the button eye to the color palette…it’s so darling in every way. And I’m definitely going to refer to this tutorial when I try my first fabric cutting project. Honestly, the thing that intimidates me the most is sewing on the applique. I’m a beginner sewist, so maneuvering those tight corners feels a little scary to me…how did you find that part? And it looks like you just used a straight stitch, is that right? Grrrrrreat work again, Monica! You should feel very proud. (And I adore that photo of your “audience” watching you work. Precious.)
Warmly,
Lauren
The Thinking Closet
Monica says
Thank you so much, Lauren! I’m a pretty novice sewist as well, but honestly, it wasn’t very hard. I didn’t try to go around every corner…just kinof curved the edges. And sewing isn’t really necessary…I wanted to add something “extra” and one little piece wasn’t staying down b/c I messed up the interfacing when I ironed it before removing the paper backing. It’s still comes up a little, but I’m just calling that handmade charm!
I haven’t pulled out my sewing machine in a long time, so my audience was curious as to what I was doing! My husband did a good job of keeping them at bay while I worked…the one thing I asked for Mother’s Day was some craft time!
Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says
You may have seen the pingback earlier, but I just wanted to let you know that I included a photo and link to your awesome spring hoop home decor project on my post today (also a fabric applique project). Your sweet bird was just too cute NOT to share. 🙂
Carol Richardson Bonnema via Facebook says
Cute!!
Lynden Blossom says
Such a cute project, Monica! Thanks for sharing your apprehensions, also – I got my CAMEO last summer and was nervous to switch from my Cricut to It until this winter! I know it does a lot more than I’ve dared to try as yet, and I appreciate your Tutorial. I’ve been sewing since a was about 10 – back in the Paleolithic Era! – so that part is easy for me! Let me know if you ave questions about that – ;-]
Lynden
http://aneleganttouch-lynden.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/An-Elegant-Touch-/162889457132788
http://pinterest.com/lyndenelise/an-elegant-touch-my-blog
http://pinterest.com/lyndenelise/my-digital-photo-restorations/
Vanessa says
Oh so cute! I totally agree about holding your breath before hitting the cut button on a risky project. Eeks.
Lynne N says
This is a really neat idea.
Coley says
That turned out super cute, Monica! I remember being super nervous too the first time I cut fabric with my Silhouette! You did great!
tea party ideas alice in wonderland says
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Chat soon!