This is a question I get asked all the time: “Since Heat Transfer Vinyl requires a high heat to apply it, can I use it on fabrics such as polyester, spandex and nylon?” I had the same questions as a beginner, because we’ve all heard you have to be … [Read more...]
Unexpected surfaces to use HTV on
I gotta tell you — HTV is probably my favorite material to cut. I rarely have to change my cut settings, don’t have to use a mat (on pieces that are wide enough to fit under the rollers) and the plastic carrier holds everything in place really well. … [Read more...]
Top 2 reasons HTV doesn’t stick
If you’ve ever used heat transfer vinyl (HTV — also known as heat transfer material), you’ve probably had trouble at least once with it not sticking, or falling off after a wash. You’re not alone! This is a VERY common problem and the vast majority … [Read more...]
Tips for using the crosscutter on Cameo 4 models
One of the advantages to the new Cameo 4 models is an improved crosscutter. The crosscutter is designed for use with materials such as adhesive vinyl or HTV that come on a roll and are often cut without the mat. Rather than unloading at the end of … [Read more...]
Tuesday quick tip: what to do when text on a path messes up as you mirror
The day I learned about placing text around a circle was a great day! I had been doing it manually before that. LOL! And then my mind was completely blown when I found out you could put text around ANY shape. (If you don’t know how this works, you’ll … [Read more...]
Frugal Friday: Ways to use leftover foils
I admit it — I LOVE all things shiny! That’s why I really like to use foil in my crafting. It’s also why I have lots of leftover pieces of foil. I just hate to throw those pretty things away. If you’re like me, then read on and I’ll show you all … [Read more...]
How’d they do that? Adding spacing between elements
Today’s tutorial is helpful for those of us, me definitely included, who have trouble lining things up perfectly. By creating an intentional spacing gap between different elements, you give yourself some wiggle room. This is helpful for any material, … [Read more...]
How’d They Do That? Graduated Horizontal Spaces: Take #2
Recently, I shared with you how to alter a design, usually a word, so that there were empty rectangular spaces across it in increasing widths. If you didn’t see that tutorial, you can find it here. Today, I want to show you how to create a knockout … [Read more...]
How to clean a heat press
I freely admit that although I’m a very organized person, I’m not necessarily a neat one. As my creative juices get going I sometimes rush through projects to get to the end result. Or I take so long in the designing portion (which I find more fun), … [Read more...]
Cut Doctor: Lesson 24 — Dealing with difficulties after the cut
We've made it to the end of our series (to start with Lesson 1, go here). Your cuts should be all healed now! But today's visit is a follow up appointment where we go over things like post-operative complications. Specifically, we're going to talk … [Read more...]
Hack for aligning HTV when layering
I made a shirt last weekend to cheer on my Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Final Four of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships. They made it to the final game — HURRAH! They didn’t win, but it was a great game that went to overtime. Wreck ‘Em Tech! … [Read more...]
Cut Doctor: Lesson 23 — Bad cuts part 2
Have you ever send a cut job to your machine, watched it work and away, then removed the material and realized it didn’t cut the material at all or cut it all the way through? Yes, I see every hand going up! We’ve all had this happen at one time or … [Read more...]
How to use a roll feeder
I’m currently working on a HUGE vinyl project for my church. We’re creating a forest scene with animals on a wall 45 feet long and 10 feet high. This is the perfect time to use a roll feeder, since the pieces are really large. Note: This post … [Read more...]
Cut Doctor: Lesson 18 — When the machine starts cutting in the wrong place
The Cut Doctor is in! We’re back for our second lesson in troubleshooting cuts on your Silhouette machine. This time we’re looking at symptoms at the onset of a cutting disease. Let’s look at some reasons your machine may start cutting in the wrong … [Read more...]
Too much of a good thing: the effects of overheating HTV
Heat transfer vinyl is a fantastic material. With it, you can customize virtually any fabric surface (and even more). It’s one of the materials that lots of folks purchase a Silhouette machine to cut. But there are some myths floating around about … [Read more...]