Wall Quilt Using Cricut Infusible Ink: Graduation Gift
Looking for a unique way to celebrate graduation or other school milestones? Consider crafting a wall quilt using Cricut Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets. Unlike traditional methods, infusible ink seamlessly integrates designs, offering vibrant, long-lasting colors that won't fade or peel. Plus, you can add decorative stitching to enhance the quilt's aesthetic appeal. In this blog post, we'll guide you through the step-by-step process of creating a personalized graduation gift that combines creativity, customization, and craftsmanship.
Materials:
- Cricut Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets
- Cricut Heat Resistant Tape
- White or other light-colored fabric with limited stretch but a high polyester content (I recommend looking for 80-100% polyester fabric sold in the linings section of your local fabric store. Just make sure to pick something that handles more like a cotton quilting fabric - one that does not stretch a lot when you pull on it - rather than a fabric that resembles a stretchy knit.)
- Batting
- Backing fabric
- Embroidery supplies
Directions:
Design your custom cut in Cricut Design Space or go directly to this project. Since my graduate is completing optometry school, I chose to highlight the phrase, "Be Spec Tacular" on my quilt. However, Design Space offers a plethora of short phrase cut designs, ensuring you'll discover something suitable for your student.
Make the project by mirroring the design before cutting and positioning the transfer sheet with the ink side up on your Cricut cutting mat. Before handling the transfer sheets, be sure to wash your hands and minimize contact with the ink while cutting and weeding the project as much as possible.
Once the design is cut, peel the cutting mat away from the design. To separate the cuts, gently roll the transfer sheet paper, a process known as "cracking your cut" by Cricut. If needed, use a weeding tool or tweezers to help eliminate excess paper around your design, leaving only the intended design on the liner.
I find it helpful to also cut a template for the phrase from scrap paper to aid in aligning the words and images on my fabric before transfer. While my entire phrase was too large for the Cricut machine, I managed to cut enough of the design to achieve key alignments and create a useful template for pressing.
Follow Cricut's instructions for heating and using an EasyPress machine with an EasyPress mat to apply the ink to your project surface. Their heat guide walks you through each pressing step, specifying the appropriate temperature and press time for your specific surface. Since I'm not using an official Cricut blank for this project, I relied on the heat guide to estimate my temperature at 365 degrees and applied it with firm pressure for 120 seconds, which worked well for my fabric.
Prepare the quilt fabric for transfer by using a lint roller to remove any threads or debris from the surface. Place a clean sheet of butcher paper on top and preheat the fabric for 15 seconds to remove moisture and wrinkles.
Position the transfer sheet face down at the center of the fabric, using the paper template to aid proper spacing of the cut designs.
Secure the sheets with heat-resistant tape as necessary. Because the quilt is large and I know that I will need to manuever it on my pressing mat, I like to use a liberal amount of tape to keep my cut design in place. Take your time in positioning and securing the designs on you fabric, lining up all the pieces carefully. This step will make the biggest difference in the outcome of the project.
Layer butcher paper on top of the designs and apply the EasyPress to the surface at 365 degrees with firm pressure for 120 seconds. My design was larger than the plate on my EasyPress, so I had to press across multiple areas of my design to heat it all. Lift and replace the press as you work, taking care not to move the design on the fabric. When you're done pressing, do a final check to make sure you did not miss any spots for transfer. Then let things cool and then discard the remnants of the transfer sheets in the trash.
Cut a piece of batting or heavy felt slightly larger than the wall quilt, then layer the inked fabric on top and secure it in a few places with pins.
Grab your embroidery floss and needle and stitch a simple pattern or doodle across the surface. This is your chance to be as creative as you'd like! Add stitching, beads and other embellishments to the quilt. I opted to use a couple of stencils as a guide for embroidery. I traced the designs through the stencils on to the surface of my quilt using a fabric marker with disappearing ink.
When you're done stitching, use a ruler and fabric pen to mark a rectangle on the quilt at least 1.5 inches from the edge of any decorated surface. Cut the rectangle using a pair of sharp fabric scissors.
Lay the trimmed quilt on top of the reverse-side of your backing fabric. Measure and mark the backing fabric with the fabric pen about 1.25 inches from the edge of the quilt. Cut the backing fabric using fabric scissors on the marked lines.
Fold the corners of the backing fabric over the front of the quilt as shown in the photo below. Fold the sides over the front of the quilt and pin in place. Stitch the backing fabric from the front of the quilt near the cut edge.
Sew 2 rings to the top back edge of the quilt for hanging.
To sum up, making a wall quilt with Cricut Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets provides a personal and long-lasting way to mark graduations and other milestones. The smooth blending of designs and option for decorative stitching enhances the quilt's beauty. By following these steps, you can create a one-of-a-kind piece that showcases your creativity and skill. Whether it's for a graduation or another special event, a wall quilt made with Cricut Infusible Ink is bound to become a beloved keepsake.
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