Category Archives: Baby

Make this cute patterned iron-on onesie for a first birthday

Celebrate a First Birthday With This Patterned Iron-on Onesie

March 26th, 2018 • Contributor: Jenny Alger from Everyday Jenny

Hi! It’s Jenny from Everyday Jenny. Have you seen the newest iron-on Cricut just released? It’s patterned iron-on and it’s so pretty!

There are so many fun sampler packs; it’s hard to choose (but why choose just one right?) This In Bloom Pink pack is perfect for Spring with its beautiful florals. I also love this black and white Nature Walk Basics pack.  Plus, these watercolor Natalie Malan Sunset Blossom and Aquamarine packs are dreamy. The sample packs come with three different designs in 12” X17” sheets and they are great to mix and match.

The new iron-on is perfect to decorate t-shirts, pillows, tote bags and more.  If you’re trying to decide on a project to use them on just remember you will want to pick images and text that allow the fun patterns to stand out. So think bold texts and larger images.

Sweatshirt with patterned iron-on

I used the pink watercolor sheet from the Natalie Malan Sunset Blossom pack to make this sweatshirt. (Design Space link here.) I chose a simple text, Cricut Sans, but the watercolor gives it a fun effect. I love the light pink tones with the green of the sweatshirt.

Unicorn shirt with patterned iron-on

I also made this little girl’s unicorn shirt with the peach and pink watercolor sheet from the Natalie Malan Sunset Blossom pack. (Design Space link here.) You can really enjoy the beautiful pattern with a large simple image.

I’m sharing the tutorial below for this adorable first birthday shirt made with the Party Time Pastels pack. Following these steps means you can use patterned iron-on for any project!

1: Create Your Design

Create your design for the patterned iron-on onesie

Open Cricut Design Space and create your design to fit your shirt.  (You can open my design here.) You can play around with different fonts to see which ones you like best, but remember you’ll want to choose a thicker font for the pattern to show. I used the Cricut font Birthday Bash for the words and number one.

2: Slice Your Image

Slice the image for your design

Cricut’s official recommendation is to NOT layer patterned iron-on. In order to create the layered look with the iron-on, you will need to slice your image.

The easiest way to do this is to duplicate the words and set them aside for later. Line up your words exactly where you want them on the number one. Select both the words and number and use the Slice tool.

Slice your design

Delete the extra layers that have been sliced out, leaving just sliced number one and your extra set of words that you set aside.

Slice out your image

Now you have your two images for your design.

3: Cut Out Your Iron-on

Cut Out Your Iron-on

Place your iron-on on the StandardGrip (green) mat liner side down.  Select Patterned Iron-on from the Materials list. Make sure your fine tip blade is loaded into your machine, mirror your image and then cut it out.  

Be sure to pin this post to try later on!

4: Weed Your Iron-on

Weed Your Iron-on

Carefully weed the excess material from your number and words using your weeding tools.

5: Heat Up Your EasyPress

Heat Up Your EasyPress

Preheat your EasyPress to the temperature for your shirt material and iron-on type. I used a cotton shirt and patterned iron-on so my temperature was 340 for 50 seconds.

Make sure you have a flat, heat-resistance surface to use your EasyPress. Cricut now has the EasyPress mat which is specifically designed to work with it. Use the EasyPress to remove wrinkles and prepare your shirt.

6: Press On Your Design

Press on your design

Place the iron-on number on your shirt and press it. Test a small corner of your design and gently lift the liner. If the liner does not peel easily, reapply heat.

Peel off the liner.

Press on your design

Center the words on your sliced image. Press again with the EasyPress. Remove the liner and your birthday shirt is finished.

Now go throw that little one a party and eat lots of cake!

Which patterned iron-on are you going to use? Be sure to share on social media with #CricutMade so we can see!

Learn how to use Cricut's patterned iron-on to make onesies and more
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Make this sassy baby onesie in under 30 minutes

Make This Sassy Iron-on Onesie in Under 30 Minutes

March 9th, 2018 • Contributor: Ginger Bowie from Ginger Snap Crafts

Hello there! It’s Ginger from Ginger Snap Crafts. I am so excited to be back here on the Cricut blog with all of you today. It’s one of my favorite places to hang out! You can find so much fun inspiration for your Cricut machine here. I just love it!

I was here not too long ago sharing projects you can do in 30 minutes or less using my favorite material, vinyl! Annnnnd today I am back sharing an easy 30-minute project using another one of my favorites - Cricut® Iron-on. Let’s get started!

1: Measure Your Design Area

Measure your design area

The first thing I always do before starting a project like this is to measure the spot I’ll need my iron-on design to go. This will help determine how big to cut out my design. For this cute onesie, the area I had to work with was 4 inches by 4 inches. Now it’s time to get to work!

2: Open up Design Space on Your Computer

Open up Design Space on Your Computer

Next, you’ll open up Design Space.

TIP: Be sure to join Cricut Access to get the best deals on shapes & designs to use in your Cricut projects. With Cricut Access this cute Little Miss Sassy Pants image is totally free to use. (To access my design file you can click here.)

Open up Design Space on Your Computer

Size the design as needed and then you’ll click make it.

Open up Design Space on Your Computer

Important: Since this is an iron-on project, be sure to mirror your image. This is really important! So, don’t forget!

Open up Design Space on Your Computer

Click continue. Be sure to select Glitter Iron-on as your material.

3: Cut Out Your Design

Cut Out Your Design

Next, you will load your cutting mat. TIP: Be sure to put the shiny side down & the matte side up when working with iron-on.

Cricut Maker cutting

Load your mat into your machine. Click the go button and let your Cricut do its thing!

Be sure to pin this post for later!

4: Weed Your Design

Weed design

This is probably the hardest part! Glitter Iron-on is notorious for being hard to weed. (Weeding is removing the excess iron-on from your design.) Thank goodness for the Cricut BrightPad! It makes weeding the Glitter Iron-on so much easier! You can actually see the cut lines. Yay!

First you’ll remove the iron-on that is outside of your design. TIP: Use a piece of washi tape to hold your iron-on in place as you weed.

Weed design

Then I used a weeding tool to remove all the tiny pieces from within my design.

Weed design

This is how it looked when I was finished!

5: Apply Iron-on

Apply your iron-on

Heat up your EasyPress & use it to press your design onto your onesie. Lay your design right where you want it first.

Apply iron-on

Then place your EasyPress right on top. Gently push down for 30 seconds.

Apply iron-on

TIP: I usually flip my onesie over & press the back of the design as well.

Apply iron-on

Next carefully remove the backing paper, leaving your design behind.

Apply iron-on

Isn’t that adorable? Annnnnd so easy to make in 30 minutes or less!

Pin this picture, so you can make this project later!

Enjoy These Other Easy Iron-on Projects From Some of My Favorite Cricut Bloggers

Enjoy these other easy iron-on projects from some of my favorite Cricut bloggers.

Hello Canvas Banner @ Love the Day

Teacher Tote @ Inspiration Made Simple

Craft Room Labels @ Laura’s Little Party

Spring Wreath @ Sew What Alicia

Felt Wall Banner @ Happy Go Lucky

DIY Cheer Bows @ Ginger Snap Crafts (me!)

Bridal Survival Kit @ See Vanessa Craft

Heart Canvas Decor @ 30 Minute Crafts

Let me know what you would like to make with iron-on in the comments below. I’d love to hear!

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Mommy's Little Valentine onesie

Mommy & Daddy’s Little Valentine Onesies

February 12th, 2018 • Contributor: Cori George from Hey, Let's Make Stuff

Hey Cricut friends! It’s Cori, back from Hey, Let’s Make Stuff. Are you almost ready for Valentine’s Day? It’s right around the corner and I have a quick project for you to make to get your little one ready!

Today we’re making these cute Valentine’s Day onesies using pink iron-on vinyl and pink iron-on foil. These onesies are perfect for baby’s first Valentine’s Day but also work on a t-shirt for your favorite toddler. So cute!

Mommy's Little Valentine onesies

We’ll also be taking a look at how to layer iron-on vinyl using the Cricut EasyPress. The EasyPress makes layering vinyl so easy, as you’ll see.

First, download the Little Valentine file by clicking the link, right click to save, and upload it to Cricut Design Space. I suggest making one at a time, so hide the image you don’t want to make.

1: Size and Cut Your Image

Size and cut the image for your Mommy's Little Valentine Onesies

To cut this file in the correct size for your child’s onesie or t-shirt, Use Cricut Templates, which I explained in detail here. I am using the 6-month onesie template (found under “pajamas”) to make sure my sizing is correct. Note that the template will not cut—it’s just a guideline to help you size your image.

When you go to cut your iron-on vinyl and foil, make sure to mirror your image and place your material shiny side down on your cutting mat. Cut out your image. Weed the negative space, and then using scissors, cut between the heart and the word “valentine” so they are separate.

2: Apply to Onesie Using Layering

Apply the iron-on and iron-on foil to the onesie

Layering vinyl using the EasyPress is much easier than using a traditional iron. The even heating of the EasyPress means you don’t get hotspots—which I have found are a big pain when layering iron-on vinyl – melty, uneven vinyl is no fun for anyone!

Thankfully the EasyPress doesn’t have hotspots, so you know that your iron-on vinyl will be heated evenly and your project will turn out perfectly.

Start by placing all three iron-on pieces on your onesie to make sure everything is placed right, with your heart on the bottom layer.

Apply the iron-on and iron-on foil to the onesie

Then take away the two other sheets, leaving just the heart in the right place.

Apply the iron-on and iron-on foil to the onesie with an EasyPress

Heat up your EasyPress to the suggested temperature for your material. In my case, the onesie is cotton and I’m using iron-on foil, so my temperature is 295°.

Normally, I’d set my EasyPress for 35 seconds, but because we’re doing several layers, I’m going to just set it to 20 seconds for the first two layers. You can put the EasyPress directly on the iron-on, but I prefer to use a pressing sheet or a piece of cotton fabric.

Apply the iron-on and iron-on foil to the onesie with an EasyPress

Place your EasyPress over the heart and apply even pressure and push the green button. When it beeps after 20 seconds, return the EasyPress to its base. Cricut iron-on foil is “cold peel” so you have to wait for the material to cool before peeling the backing piece off.

Then put your “Mommy’s Little” or “Daddy’s Little” piece next. I didn’t increase my temperature to 305°, which would be the normal iron-on lite setting. I didn’t want to damage my foil. 295° is enough to set the iron-on lite so we’ll stick with that.

Repeat the 20-second press for this layer, and peel off the transfer sheet. Cricut iron-on vinyl is “hot peel” so you don’t have to wait for this layer to cool before removing the backing piece.

Apply the iron-on and iron-on foil to the onesie with an EasyPress

For the final layer, increase your time to 30 seconds. This will make sure that all three layers are completely set. After this press, turn your onesie inside out and press for 30 seconds from the back as well. This will help adhere the iron-on even better.

Note: If you’re using glitter iron-on, it needs to be the top layer of your project. Because the glitter isn’t flat, it doesn’t work well as a base for other layers.

Apply the iron-on and iron-on foil to the onesie with an EasyPress

Layering iron-on doesn’t have to be scary! Just make sure you’re using the lowest heat setting for your materials and taking your time to place your layers exactly where you want them. It makes creating cute custom clothes, like this onesie, super easy!

Do you have any fun Valentine’s Day projects you’re working on this year? I’d love to see them in the comments!

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What are templates in Design Space?

Using Templates in Design Space

January 23rd, 2018 • Contributor: Cori George from Hey, Let's Make Stuff

Hey there, Cricut friends! It’s Cori from Hey, Let’s Make Stuff back with another Cricut Design Space tutorial for you!

Today I’m talking about one of the best-loved features of Cricut Design Space: the Templates (previously called the Canvas). How do I know that this is one of the best-loved features? I wrote about the beta release of Cricut Design Space v3 here—and the launch didn’t include Templates. And boy, did I hear about it in the comments!

Thankfully, Cricut quickly re-introduced these templates, which is awesome news for Design Space users.

What are Templates?

Use templates in Design Space to position your project

Templates are, fundamentally, what the name suggests. If you want to create a t-shirt design, put some iron-on vinyl on a backpack, add a funny saying to a wine glass, or decorate your locker, you can use one of the pre-designed templates to help you figure out what size you need for your project.

I recently made fourteen shirts for a friend’s trip to a theme park. She has four kids, all different ages and sizes. I was able to use the Templates to figure out the best size to cut my iron-on for the shirts. This was SO much easier than eyeballing it or trying to use a measuring tape to guesstimate the size.

Where Do I Find Templates?

Templates are found in the left sidebar menu in Cricut Design Space, second from the top. Open it up and you’ll be able to scroll through all of the templates.

You can also use the search bar at the top of the Templates screen to search for something specific.

Note that templates are only available in the desktop version of Cricut Design Space—they are not yet available on the apps.

How Do I Use Templates?

Templates in Design Space

Templates are super easy to use. Choose your project and Cricut Design Space will insert it onto your canvas. I have inserted a baby onesie (under the pajamas category) onto my canvas.

Now, this would be helpful in itself, but we know that not all onesies are created equal – they come in an array of styles and sizes. You might need a 0-3 month short sleeve onesie…or maybe a 12-month romper.

Using templates in Design Space

Thankfully, it’s very easy to change the size and style of your project using the dropdown menu at the top of the screen.Note, you have to have your canvas selected in the right sidebar layers panel to see these dropdown menus.

Now you can select the style and shape you want.

How do you use templates in Design Space?

If you want to select a color, just select the Template in the layers panel and click the color circle – here you can change it to whatever color you’d like, in the same way you’d change the color of any other shape in your project.

How do you use templates in Design Space?

Now you can create your own design using shapes and text, select a design from the Cricut Image Library, or upload your own design. I uploaded this adorable “Locally Grown” cut file I designed recently (you can get all 50 states here!).

Then I was able to resize it to fit my onesie perfectly! If you want to select a color, just select the Template in the layers panel and click the color circle – here you can change it to whatever color you’d like, in the same way you’d change the color of any other shape in your project.

NOTE: When you hit Make It for your project, it will just cut your design – not the template. This is fairly obvious when working with something like a onesie, but might trip you up if you’re making a set of banners or a luggage tag.

If you need those sorts of shapes, you can always head to the Cricut Image Library and find something there! If you’re not a Cricut Access member, you should be—there are so many amazing images to choose from as a part of the membership.

You can see from this example just how helpful templates can be when working on a project! Almost anything you can think of has a corresponding template—your projects are so much easier with this template feature!

Which is your favorite template? Let me know in the comments!

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Make your own fabric banner

Easy DIY Fabric Banner using the Cricut Maker

January 23rd, 2018 • Contributor: Tiffany Hayter from OC Vintage Charm

Fabric banners are so popular for just about any event. Birthday parties, photography props, weddings, home décor, you name it! They are easy to make but cutting fabric can be so tedious and make your hands ache.

The Cricut Maker has just made your life so much easier with the rotary blade. It will cut perfect each time and now you can add movement to your banners with different shaped fabric strips. See how I put the Cricut Maker to the test and made this stunning high chair banner for a first birthday party.

Tools + Materials Needed For This Project:

Materials and tools needed for easy Fabric banner

1: Find Images in Design Space

Find your images

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Find images for fabric strips

Turn on your Cricut Maker, then search for "border" in Design Space Images. Select M3A0A4 & M3A0CF.

Find your images
Find images for fabric strips

Unlock image and adjust to the desired size.

2: Add a Shape

Add a Shape

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Add a shape

From Shapes, add a square, unlock the image and adjust to the desired size.

3: Change Color & Duplicate

Change the color

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Change the color
Duplicate the images

Change images to the same color and duplicate to utilize 12x24 mat.

4: Cut Fabric

Cut out your fabric strips

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Cut out your fabric strips

Cut 12x24” fabric piece and place on the mat. You may want to use a brayer to make sure fabric is smooth on the mat. Insert Rotary blade, set Cricut Maker to fabric type and cut.

Remove fabric pieces from the mat. (Don’t throw away the scrap fabric! You can use this to add depth and variation to your banner).

 

5: Repeat Step 4 With Additional Fabric Types

Cut out more fabric strips

Continue until the desired amount of fabric is cut.

Tips:

1. Gently peel up delicate fabric by pulling up a tiny piece of the corner with your spatula or tweezers.

2. Use a lint roller on fabric mat to remove strings or debris.

6: Start Creating

Put your fabric banner together

Cut ribbon to the desired length. Layout your fabrics in the order you would like them on your banner and start tying them to the ribbon.

7: Complete the Project

Finish up your fabric banner

Complete the banner by cutting off the excess tied fabric and create dimension by adding layers in your banner. You can also angle the tips of the fabric ends.

Finish up your fabric banner
Finish up your fabric banner
Finish up your fabric banner

Following these easy steps will help you create an amazing fabric banner for any theme and occasion. Since I can use my Cricut Maker to cut fabric and cardstock, I was able to make the cursive ONE to add the finishing touch. This adorable high chair setup is now ready to be covered in cake!

When would you use a fabric banner like this? Let us know below!

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DIY Stocking Onesies Part 2

DIY Stocking Onesies Part 2

December 20th, 2017 • Contributor: Ginger Bowie from Ginger Snap Crafts

Hello there! It’s Ginger from Ginger Snap Crafts, and I’m back to finish up what we started yesterday. Yay! Yesterday I showed you how I used Cricut Design Space to create some really cute stocking designs. Today I’m going to show you how to easy it is to use the Cricut EasyPress to create these super cute stocking onesies. Let’s get started!

How to use a Cricut EasyPress for Iron-on

Supplies Needed:

You will need:

If you missed yesterday’s post, be sure to pop over HERE & check out how to design & cut out the stocking design using the printable iron-on and glitter iron-on.

Let’s make some onesies!

1: Apply Your Cricut Printable Iron-on to Your Onesie

Attach the Cricut printable iron-on

If you remember, yesterday I used the printable iron-on to create some fun patterns for my stockings. If you missed that post, don’t forget to click over HERE and check it out. First, set your Cricut EasyPress to 250° and 30 seconds.

Attach the Cricut printable iron-on

TIP: Before you attempt to apply your printable iron-on, be sure you remove the backing paper.

Attach the Cricut printable iron-on

TIP: Also, Cricut Iron-on comes with a sheet of parchment paper. Before you use the Cricut EasyPress on your design, be sure you lay that parchment paper right on top of your design. It will protect your design while at the same time allow the heat to transfer the design to your onesie.

Next, place your Cricut EasyPress on your design & press for 30 seconds.

Attach the Cricut printable iron-on

Can I say how much I love this scrip design? So cute!

2: Apply Your Cricut Glitter Iron-on

Attach the Cricut glitter iron-on

Next, you will apply your Cricut Glitter Iron-on. Tip: You don’t want the sticky backing paper of the glitter iron-on to touch the printed part of your stocking. It could lift some of the ink off. So, I trimmed back the edges that could touch the printed part of my stocking.

Don’t forget to pin this post, so you can come back to it later!

Attach your Cricut glitter iron-on

Normally, you don’t need to do this. You can use the Cricut EasyPress right on top of the glitter iron-on, but since I needed to protect my printed patterned iron-on, I put the piece of parchment paper back over my whole design.

Attach your Cricut glitter iron-on

I let my Cricut EasyPress heat up to 340° for 30 seconds. Then I pressed my glitter iron-on onto my onesie. TIP: I tried my best to avoid touching the printable iron-on with the Cricut EasyPress since that temperature is way too warm to put directly on top of the printable iron-on.

Attach your Cricut glitter iron-on

Next, you’ll carefully remove the backing paper from the glitter iron-on. All done!

Just imagine all the amazing projects that you can make with the fun printable iron-on! Let me know what you would create in the comments below. Don’t forget to share this post with your friends! Happy Holidays! 

DIY Stocking Onesies
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Stocking Onesies Part 1

DIY Stocking Onesies Part 1

December 19th, 2017 • Contributor: Ginger Bowie from Ginger Snap Crafts

Hello there! It’s Ginger from Ginger Snap Crafts. I am so excited to be back here on the Cricut blog to share another fun tutorial. You can see my fun Christmas cards HERE. Today I am going to begin a two-part series on how I created these adorable Stocking Onesies using my Cricut Maker, Cricut EasyPress, Design Space, and a few fun products from Cricut. Let’s get started!

1: Choose Your Image

Pick out the image for your stocking onesie

You can get the design I used right HERE, but I wanted to show you how easy it is to create your own custom designs in Cricut Design Space. First, I selected the stocking image that I wanted to use for my design. TIP: If you have Cricut Access, this shape is totally free. Then I clicked insert image.

2: Simplify Your Image Using Cricut Design Space

Edit your image

I just wanted a simple design for my stocking, so I needed to simplify this image.

Edit your image

To do that, all I needed to do was click the little eye by the images I wanted to hide. I clicked them all until my image looked like the picture above.

Edit your image

Then I used my slice tool to separate my image into these shapes.

3: Add Some Fun Patterns

Pick out fun patterns for your stockings

One of the features that I love about Design Space is that you can add fun patterns to your shapes. Then you can use the Print & Cut feature later to make some really neat designs that will add a lot of patterns, colors & textures that would be hard to do otherwise.

To do this, all you have to do is click on the image, click pattern & then choose your favorite. If you notice, right next to the icon you also see a little printer. That means this part of your design will first print on your home printer and then your Cricut Maker or Explore Air will cut it out. I really love this feature!

Fun patterns for stocking onesies

I ended up choosing three different patterns – a buffalo check design, a polka dot pattern & a cute holiday scrip pattern. Now it’s time to send all of this to my printer and then to my Cricut Maker.

4: Send Design to Your Printer

Print out your customized stockings

I clicked Make It. I love how Cricut Design Space tells me exactly how many mats to prepare and tells me exactly what I need to do. First, I printed out my 3 patterned designs onto Cricut Printable Iron-on, light paper using my inkjet printer. My printer had an iron-on setting. Make sure your printer is all set before printing for best results.

5: Send Your Design to Your Cricut Maker or Explore Air to Cut Out

Cut out your vinyl

When you print your design with your printer, you will notice a black box prints out as well. This helps your Cricut machine “see” where to cut. It’s truly an amazing feature!

Don’t forget to pin this post so you can come back to it later!

Cut out your vinyl
Cut out your vinyl

See! My Cricut Maker cut out the design beautifully! Amazing! 

Cut out your vinyl

The last thing I did was cut out the rest of my design using Cricut Glitter Iron-on. TIP: Instead of cutting out a sheet of glitter iron-on, just leave your glitter iron-on on the roll when you cut it. This will prevent waste, so you’ll have more vinyl to create more projects with!

Cut out your vinyl

All done!

Come back tomorrow, and I will show you how I used my Cricut EasyPress to create these adorable onesies. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below. Be sure to share this post with your crafty friends!

DIY Stocking Onesies
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DIY Baby shower decor with your Cricut machine

Easy DIY Baby Shower Decor With a Cricut Rose Machine

August 24, 2017 • Contributor: Damask Love

When you get right down to it, there are very few things that a Cricut Explore Rose Machine WON’T do! If you can think it up, there’s a good chance you can craft it up with the Cricut. By far, one of my favorite things to do with the Explore is host parties. You can personalize every part of your event. Since we’re celebrating the pretty Rose machine, I thought I’d share two pretty, pink projects that would be perfect for a baby shower. Of course, you can take these ideas and personalize them for any party or with any color!

Let’s get started on how I assembled these two pieces of baby shower décor.

DIY Baby Blocks Décor

A simple baby blocks craft for baby shower decor

You’ll need:

  • Tape runner
  • Wood cube planters available at Joann in the unfinished wood section
  • Pink and white cardstock cut into baby block letters and images using THIS Design Space Project
Attach the letter to the cube
Put the other images on the block

Use the tape runner to adhere letters, frames, and images to the sides of the wood cubes. That’s it! These are so easy to make that you could create several as centerpieces or décor around the room!

DIY “Oh Baby” Wall Décor

You can make this sign for a baby shower

With the Cricut Explore, you can also think beyond 12x12 and create larger scale projects. Simply use the 12x24 cutting mat to create projects like this Oh Baby wall art that is a great focal point for your baby shower event. I added 3D paper flowers to the design to bring it to life and add a few pops of color.
Click HERE to access this project in Cricut Design Space.

Pick up a wood pallet sign from Joann as the perfect place the mount your paper project.

Put your Oh baby sign on a pallet
Completed Oh baby shower sign
Close up of paper flowers made with a Cricut rose machine
Cute baby blocks decor for a baby shower
Baby shower decor inspiration

What baby shower décor have you made with your Cricut? Let us know in the comments below!

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Cricut is excited to announce their partnership with Riley Blake Designs

New Quilting BFFs: Cricut and Riley Blake Designs

August 18, 2017 • Contributor: The Cricut Team

So many of us have fond memories of at least one quilt in our lifetime. Perhaps it's the one that your grandma made for you when you were born and it became a cherished companion that you took EVERYWHERE. Maybe your college roommate made you a special quilt for your wedding that contained little inside jokes. It could have been one that helped give you much-needed comfort while you were ill.

With our new Cricut Maker, you too can be a quilt maker and memory giver if you aren't already! We are excited to be working with Riley Blake Designs to bring you fantastic digitized quilting patterns for any occasion. They have been designing gorgeous prints in many different types of fabric since 2008 and also offer coordinating notions and sewing project kits.

Quilting Simplified

Have you ever been intimidated by the process it takes to start piecing together a quilt? Just cutting out simple squares from each fabric and keeping track to ensure that you have enough can be such a chore. If you are trying to use a paper pattern, imagine pinning, cutting, and unpinning many times until you have enough.

Riley Blake Designs is making it so much easier by digitizing lovely quilting patterns that tell the Cricut Maker exactly how many pieces of each fabric you will need and how to lay it out on the mat. Use the attached assembly instructions that they have included with each project and you'll be on your way to sewing it all together in a flash!

We can't wait to see which Riley Blake Designs patterned quilts you will create with your Cricut Maker! Here are a few of the patterns that we already have up to help get you inspired:

Making a quilt for a special wee one that is coming into your life? Try one of these baby quilt patterns, like the Around the Block Baby Quilt. If you were doing this by hand, you would have to worry about cutting out up to 7 different prints per block - whew!

Point them in the right direction with the Arrows Baby Quilt.

Keep it simple and sweet with the Around We Go Baby Quilt.

Sip hot cocoa and read a good book while nestled under the Big Star Throw.

Keep warm while you wrap your holiday gifts with the All Wrapped Up Throw.

Which one of these did you like best? Do you have a favorite Riley Blake pattern or print? Tell us in the comments below!

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Customizing Baby Items with Cricut Iron-on

August 14, 2017 • Contributor: Jenny from Everyday Jenny

Hi! It’s Jenny from Everyday Jenny and I’m back to show you how easy it is to customize your baby’s clothes with the Cricut Explore Air 2 and Cricut Iron-on Lite. There are so many fun colors you can choose, and layering your iron-on also adds new possibilities. Not only can you do baby clothes, but you can personalize blankets, binky clips, headbands, stuffed animals and cloth shoes just to name a few. I created this fun baby shirt with a matching binky clip. You can easily create your own state design in Design Space.

1: Create Your Design in Design Space

Create your text in Design Space

To create your own state design, insert text and write out your state name. You can change the font to the one you like, and use the Letter Space tool to make your letters closer together.

Unlock the text

Select insert shapes and choose a square. Unlock the square in the corner and make it into a rectangle. Repeat until you have as many as you’d like for your design. You will also change your rectangle colors to the color of your Iron-on by clicking on the circle next to your layer and selecting the color. This will also sort your layers to the correct mat for cutting.

Use the Slice tool

To cut out the star shapes from your rectangle, insert a star and line it up on your rectangle. Select both the star and the rectangle and then use the Slice tool to cut out your star. Delete the extra pieces. Repeat as many times as you would like.

Weld the image and text together

I chose a fun cursive font for the “Hi! I am from…” text. Insert your font, select it all and select the Weld tool so it will be cut out as one piece (Depending on the font you choose you may need to use the Letter Space tool to make your letters closer together before welding.)

2: Cut out your Iron-On

Cut out your vinyl design

Once you have finished your design, select "Make It". Select each mat and toggle the Mirror button to the on position (green). Select continue and set your smart dial to Iron-On. Load your mat and cut out each color.

3: Weed your Iron-on

Weed the negative vinyl away

Using your weeding tool set, carefully weed out the excess material leaving only your design. The Cricut BrightPad makes your cut lines so much easier to see which makes weeding much faster.

4: Prepare Your Shirt for Iron-On

Get your shirt ready for the vinyl

Heat up your iron to the correct Iron-on setting and lay your shirt on a flat surface. Warm up the shirt where you will be putting your design.

5: Apply the Iron-On

Put your iron-on on the shirt

Starting with your bottom piece, align your design on your shirt. Using a thin cloth, apply gentle pressure and press. Avoid moving the iron around and hold it in one spot for about 20-30 seconds. Test a corner and carefully pull back the plastic. If it lifts, iron again until you can remove it easily. Layer your next piece on top. Repeat this process until your design is finished.

Finished onesie

That’s it! Now your baby can show off their state pride 😉 ! Which state will you choose? Let me know in the comments below.

Check out our other baby projects in Design Space, including new Simplicity patterns for the Cricut Maker.

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