Wow – WOYWW is nearly 100 weeks old. Amazing. This Wednesday, what is on my workdesk is something I did yesterday, that needs to be taken from a technique/solution to a problem on to an actual project. That may not happen today, but you never know.
I had a hankering to cut some felt and some fabric. I only have a Grand Calibur, which I like fine for cutting the Grand Nestabilities, but it’s frankly useless for any sort of thick die. In retrospect I probably should have stuck with the Cricut/ Craft Robo and gotten something like a Big Shot, then I would have had the best of both worlds as I could cut the Nestie shapes, or near enough, in any size up to A3 with the Robo Pro and up to US letter with the Cricut, then had something that would cut felt, fabric, chipboard, fun foam, etc. I was seduced by the Grand Nesties and anything that takes me away from the computer for a while. Hunkering down on the floor to manually crank a die thru the GC had the novelty factor for a bit, but I am realizing the limitations. The helpful user on UKS did suggest that felt and fabric would cut in the GC if you add a sheet of typing paper. No idea why this makes a difference but it does – just a thin sheet somehow makes the die cut cleanly thru both the felt and the paper.
Anyway, I did manage to cut felt with a Marianne Creatables die (the one I love) but the end result was so fragile it tore easily and often came out rather misshapen.
While contemplating the “science” of why the paper would encourage the cutting edge to cut the felt better I had a brainstorm – I ran the felt thru my Xyron, brayered it on well, peeled off the film but the backing paper was still in place. That acted like the sheet of typing paper and gave me great clean cuts, even on quite intricate shapes! AND the shapes were already sticky on the back. Woo Hoo!
Sorry, what a crap photo.
I think this would be lovely on a card front!
There are a few bits in the photo that aren’t popped out, but they do just pop out with no effort.
So that is what I will be working on today – trying to come up with some way to use the test pieces.
Have a great WOYWW, all. I’ll be around to see you …but it may not be today!
30/04/2011 at 10:15 am
Got to say I admire your perseverence in trying to get the perfect cut with felt – the result is lovely too. Hope your weekend is going well. Elizabeth x #108
28/04/2011 at 9:16 pm
I love cutting felt with my big shot, and now with my Silhouette now I have the special interfacing. I just love felt in general though, going to try making some handbags out of felted jumpers for the first time soon. Thanks for sharing! Love, Clare x
28/04/2011 at 3:20 pm
Funnily enough I’ve been trying to cut fabric all week, not felt though, I want to cut cotton. I’ve ironed ‘wunder under’ on it, and been trying it through the cricut (with absolutely no success despite many blog posts from people who can do it easily)
I have cut it quite well with my big Sizzix dies, but I don’t like the alphabet very much. So, I’ve now tried it through the xyron machine and the it cuts much better with teh cricut (not perfect but much closer), and I can cut Cuttlebug dies, but no success with the QK or Sizlets dies. It’s the Sizzlets I really want to cut as I have a nice alpha I’d like to use.
28/04/2011 at 5:51 am
Such a great idea to cut the felt. After reading this, I am glad I stuck to my Cuttlebug. I am thinking anout the Vagabond though, any thoughts?
28/04/2011 at 1:30 am
Very cool felt cutting – and with the sticky side! Great idea.
Hugs,
Terry #133 (blog candy giveaway on Friday)
28/04/2011 at 12:42 am
wow they turned out fabulous, i had no idea felt could be cut so intricately!
27/04/2011 at 7:48 pm
You are a brave sole is all I can say… I had my Big Shot for years and love it… But am tempted to look into the Grand C to be able to cut the BIG dies… Thanks for all the tips for cutting felt…!!
27/04/2011 at 5:56 pm
I would be too nervous to cut felt but the effect looks great so just might have a go. Happy WOYWW
Rebecca (38)
27/04/2011 at 3:04 pm
I am soooo glad I bought my Big Shot. I was tempted to buy the same machine as you have but as there weren’t many around I got nervous. Plus I had a fantastic price at a show for the BS.
Loving what you have done though! Those shapes look really great. I have just ordered my first Nesties from Craft Obsesions as they have a good deal on at the mo and no carriage!! Woo Hoo!!
Have fun with those shapes!!
Hettie
27/04/2011 at 2:14 pm
Aha! So you cured the problem and ended up with pre-sticky designs intot he bargain… way to go MA!! Annette #5
27/04/2011 at 11:41 am
Lovely idea, I have only every cut felt flowers before not swirls. Will have to give it a go, thanks for the inspiration.
Happy Creating
Alicia.R.
27/04/2011 at 11:16 am
Love these, as you say, I think they will look stunning on a card front- especially Baby cards. I was going to suggest sticking some paper to the felt, then saw you had solved the problem this way. I find it works great for punching/cutting mulberry papers. Shaz #76
27/04/2011 at 11:07 am
I’ve never tried to cut felt, only card stock and paper. Thanks for some ideas on this!
27/04/2011 at 10:22 am
Genius…I’ve had a lorra trouble with delicate felt before too and love this for a solution. Time to dust off the xyron!
27/04/2011 at 10:19 am
Love seeing close-ups of things – they’ll be great – great subtle colours.
Thanks for the peek!
Sarah at 8
27/04/2011 at 9:38 am
I have a cuttle bug and do the felt thing, it is better with bigger less skinny cuts. I use double sided tape at the back of mine as Xyron is very expensive here.
27/04/2011 at 8:53 am
Beautiful …such a clever solution ….love the end result.
27/04/2011 at 8:53 am
I use my Big Shot for felt quite often & it’s fab (sorry, didn’t mean to rub it in!). There’s always ebay though?!! Sell the GC and buy a big shot? I think they are around £55 these days 🙂
27/04/2011 at 8:52 am
woooo these swirls are lovely and something i think all us crafters should have! Can’t wait to get home and have a go on my ‘one’ swirl! Happy WOYWW
(Lyn)
27/04/2011 at 8:11 am
Wow what a fantastic idea, i have to admit i have the big shot and the calbur but i am definitely going to try the felt in the calibur, i havent got a xyron but i have large sticky sheets that hopefully will give the same results. I love all your marianne dies i’ve never bought any of them but looking at the results i might just be tempted lol. Kezzy x
27/04/2011 at 8:05 am
Brilliant. I’m looking forward to having a go at cutting fabric with ours 🙂
A x
27/04/2011 at 7:55 am
Been thinking about the GC but think I will stick with the Big Shot and the Cricut I have. I don’t usually cut anything huge anyway so not for sure it would be useful to me. Love the look of the felt there. I will have to try that. Thanks for sharing. Vickie aka okienurse #37
27/04/2011 at 7:46 am
Gosh, that’s a lot of complexity! Great result though …
27/04/2011 at 7:35 am
Great idea to use the xyron to stick the felt – I haven’t used mine in years…. great flourishes!
27/04/2011 at 7:34 am
Wow those are really cool and would make a great card front!
Hugs
Shirley Pumpkin #36
http://www.lookatmycutestuff.blogspot.com
27/04/2011 at 7:14 am
I’m impressed with your ingenuity and perseverance. You stuck with it and things turned out fabulous. Way to go. Happy WOYWW. I’m # 16 this week.
27/04/2011 at 6:42 am
great idea to use it on fabric,Happy WOYWW 99, Thank you for sharing your desk with us much appreciated it. A great desk.
27/04/2011 at 6:30 am
I had never thought of cutting out felt until now, be interested to see your finished work.
Andria #29
27/04/2011 at 6:14 am
Awesome, Thanks for the peek and sharing,
Hugs, Marjo #18 Have a great WOYWW
27/04/2011 at 6:09 am
I haven’t ventured into the world of cutting felt out … and I struggle getting anything out of Marianne Creatible dies, much as i love them. Well done for finding a solution to your felty problem.
Happy WOYWW
Cathy xx