DIY heat transfer tote
Still experimenting with my Silhouette digital cutter, I tried out some heat transfer material that came with the machine. The result is this tote. I cut my own design from Adobe Illustrator, which went beautifully.
When it came to ironing the pieces onto the bag, I had a little trouble. Though you can't see it in the photo, some little bits of the black shapes aren't quite stuck down all the way on the tote. Maybe I can go back and fix that somehow, but I'm not optimistic. It was a big struggle to get them to adhere to such coarse canvas, so I'd recommend ironing this stuff onto something smoother. I had a wrestling match with my iron and the tote bag. We had to roll around on the ground in a fist fight with some sweating and cursing, but I won. Mostly.
33 comments:
I recently did a heat transfer onto canvas bags for a friend's children. I had to insert a book into the bag to be able to press firm enough to transfer the whole image well. Maybe you could use some wax paper to touch it up? I haven't tried it, but it might work. Good luck!
Hey, you're not supposed to sneak a post in before another one that's already up. I almost missed it! :(
I guess it was the fist fight and cursing that made you do it, huh? Like you didn't want me to see that? Ha! I fooled YOU!
Mum
First I wondered what the heck you're talking about, Mum. Then I realized I wrote this post yesterday and forgot to change the date to today when I published it. Thanks for getting on my case.
Always my pleasure to get on your case. ;)
Now that we have everybody else totally confused.....
Mum
As long as she didn't burn herself in the fist fight. The bag looks great. I need to win me a Silhoutte. The low end Cricut just isn't cutting it (literally sometimes). =)
During some of my most difficult moments tackling Heat Transfer I've actually ironed directly on the Heat Transfer to get it to stick. It can make it bubble a little, but I prefer it stuck on well.
I'll use like a sheet or some other plain cloth that I don't care about and then when it is just a bit damp i'll use that between the iron and the iron-on to help it stick without sticking the iron-on to my iron :)
not sure if that will work for the kind of iron-on you're using...but good luck!
I think you can use a teflon pressing sheet and a medium to low setting on your iron to get those last few bits down: http://www.amazon.com/June-Tailor-Teflon-Pressing-Sheet/dp/B000WWGLQ8
Really cute!
I've given you a blog award! You can check out the details and get the award at http://margoiscrafty.blogspot.com/2010/10/blog-award.html
Looks very succesful!
Love it. Which design is that? Or is it a bunch of them? I have some heat transfer on its way now.
I made my own design in Illustrator, so it's not one of the options in the Silhouette online shop.
Very handsome - I'd pay for that design!
Zanne
Thanks for the giggle!! I have a vision of you and your iron wrestling around on the floor, too funny!!! :) I often don't win that battle (some mighty funny wrinkles have come with me to work). I love the tote and envy you your Silhouette cutter. Thanks for sharing.
I used a martha stewart kit to make a numbers book and had THE same problem. The images stuck to the plastic and not to the canvas material/book. So I tried another kit. Same problem.
Let me know if you find a good solution.
You definitely can't tell you had troubles! It looks fab! I want to make one for myself. These would be great holiday gifts! You could find some cheap totes somewhere (or make them) and customize them for everyone. Thanks for all of the great ideas!
I think this bag looks stunning!! One question... do you use Illustrator to cut out the shapes with the silhouette? My mom owns a silhouette and uses another program. I thought I could use Illustrator to make shapes and then save them in a file format the silhouette program could read; but this feature isn't going to be available until the software update this november. So I'm really curious how you use Illustrator with your silhouette...
That seems to be a really nifty thing to have!
I constantly have the problem with heat transfers. That, and the annoying little edges popping up the next day and my inability to leave them be. If you figure out a way to win this battle post-completion, you should definitely let us know.
Love it! Very nice design...
Lisette, if you go to this page, you'll see an Illustrator plug-in for Mac. Download and install that. This will add a new menu item in Illustrator under the File menu so you can cut directly from Illustrator. You'll be able to scale and position your shape where you want it to be cut, then send the file to the Silhouette.
It only works with Illustrator versions up to CS3, though. I ignored the directions and tried it with CS5 just to see, and it didn't work. Also it seems like you can't enter any settings for the media you'll be cutting, so no control over that part. You'll just have to change the caps on the blade to control the depth of the cut.
lovely blog! full of great ideas! congrats! :)
Check out this blog---orange!
hi Jess! Just wanted to tell you that this post was featured in Style me pretty..
you can see it here:
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2010/10/22/wrap-it-up-pretty-21/
nice, I love cityscapes!
Oh this is a super cute design! Perhaps you could color in the missing bits with a Sharpie.
I have a Silhouette and do heat transfer all the time. I've found the secret is to NOT use a pressing cloth. I adhere the vinyl to grosgrain ribbon (which has a texture) all the time.
Blessings--
Dana
Okay, I'll try that. Thanks, Dana!
This was a very cute bag :)
Jess, I am LOVING your blog - - so much inspiration! I recently got a Silhouette Cameo for Christmas from my hubby, and I am so excited to dive into projects. I made an inspiration board on my blog with a few Silhouette projects that have me head over heels, and your DIY transfer tote is one of them! You can check it out here: https://thethinkingcloset.wordpress.com/2013/01/06/the-silhouette-challenge-a-new-series/
I just love your cityscape design. (It has me seriously considering purchasing Adobe Illustrator...which was already in the back of mind.) So darling.
And have you come up with any tips in the past few years for doing the heat transfer successfully? If so, I'd love to know!
Cheers,
Lauren
Hi Lauren!
Actually since attempting the heat transfer on that tote, I've only cut paper things! So no tips, I'm afraid. I'm looking forward to checking out your inspiration board
Hi,
That is perfect. do you needs blank tote bags for craft projects, if yes, have a look at;
http://georgiabags.com/
thanks
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