Die-cutting Essentials 37 is out this week!

Issue 37 of Die-cutting Essentials is out to buy on Thursday 3rd May  – and the FREE gift is an absolutely gorgeous Radiant Butterflies die worth an amazing £18.99.

The unique, quality set is ideal for all of your makes – for men and women, and whatever the occasion. 

To showcase how versatile it is, the FREE gift features on page 11 in Simonne Clay’s stunning  cards – like this one below – as well as the three on the magazine’s cover, and is equally impressive on Sandra Rayner’s beautifully feminine off-the-page projects on page 77.

The issue also features gorgeous off-the-page projects from Cricut that will help your big day go with a bang.

We love the Fabric Baby Blocks…

MATERIALS

Cricut Standard Grip Cutting Mat

On Trend, Creative Rockstar & Garden Girl Cricut Designer Fabric Samplers

HeatnBond Lite (if using the Explore family)

Cricut Washable Fabric Pen

white & silver Cricut Iron-on Lite Vinyl

Cricut Brayer & Remover Set

Cricut Weeding Tool Set

Cricut Sewing Set

sewing machine

polyester filling

Cricut Explore Air™, Air 2™ or Maker™ electronic cutting machine

Cricut Design Space™ online software & device

Cricut BrightPad

Cricut EasyPress™ or household iron & press cloth

SIMPLY MAKE

1 Connect the die-cutting machine to the PC and log on to your Design Space account. Search for and select the ‘Baby Softie Blocks’ in the ‘sewing’ category in the project library. Click ‘customise’.

2 Add the extra letters and numbers required, selecting ‘Cricut Sans’ font and resize them to fit the blocks.
3 If using an Explore machine, stabilise the fabric pieces to be cut by applying Heat N Bond LITE according to the packaging instructions.

4 Cut the desired number of squares from the fabric – you will need six per block.

5 Use the brayer tool to ensure good contact with the cutting mat, the appropriate blade and housing, washable fabric pen as instructed on screen and the correct setting from the materials list.
For the Maker – place the fabric wrong side up and use the rotary blade.
For the Explore machines – place the bonded side down onto the mat and use the fine point blade.

6 Cut the letters and numbers from iron-on vinyl, remembering to mirror image them in the cut preview screen.

7 Remove the iron-on vinyl images from the cutting mat, carefully bending the mat away from the vinyl to minimise air bubbles.

8 Use the weeder tool and Bright Pad to remove the unwanted iron-on vinyl. Use the Easy Press to apply the letters and numbers to the squares, following the heat temperature and duration settings detailed in the Easy Press guide as in Step 8 of the sleepsuit project.

9 Sew the squares together using a sewing machine or needle and thread and follow the assembly instructions given on the project details page on Design Space. Fill the blocks with polyester filling.

If you’re keen to make the most of different die-cutting techniques this month,  Christine Smith’s masterclass is just for you. She’s giving you a step-by-step guide to taking your inlaid die-cutting to the next level.

This is the perfect time to let you know that issue 38 goes on sale on 24^th May, and comes complete with a stunning Pretty Quick Stained-Glass Peacock die set which allows for full-panel card fronts or snipping into the intricate pattern for exciting and different makes.

Please keep sharing your ideas and crafty skills with me and the team at Die-Cutting Essentials – we love seeing what you’re up to and if we print your project in the magazine you’re in line for a free gift!

Happy die-cutting!

Kirstie McCrum

Editor

Kirstie.mccrum@practicalpublishing.co.uk