How to Use Patterned Iron On with Cricut Maker – Learn to use Cricut Patterned Iron On and also make this awesome Stranger Things inspired shirt!
If you want to make your own shirt, here’s what you’ll need:
- Cricut patterned iron on (my design features Nature Walk Basics)
- a plain shirt (ours is from Wal-Mart and started as a plain, boxy boys white shirt. We cut the sleeves off below the seam to create a longer arm hole, and used a scrap to tie the arm holes together in the back to create a racerback design – shown below.)
- the Design Space cut file.
- EasyPress (recommended) or iron/other heatpress
- EasyPress Mat (recommended)
How to Use Patterned Iron On with Cricut Maker:
What NOT To Do
Awhile ago, my 13 year old mentioned that she would love some Stranger Things inspired shirts, as it’s her all time favorite show. I was excited to create something for her, as it’s easy to find a cute idea for little kids, but teenagers are often more difficult to work with.
Originally, she wanted the “mouth breather.” shirt shown below, which I whipped up in no time flat. (You guys, this patterned iron on cuts and weeds like butter. It is so easy to work with.) However, once cut, I realized that layering the two types of vinyl (lite and patterned) would be tricky, since they require different heat levels on the EasyPress. I had to put the lite on at 315 degrees and then the patterned on at 340 degrees. It did work, but I haven’t washed it yet and I’m a little doubtful that it will hold up with the high heat applied to the iron on lite.
Sidenote: I left this original design in the cut file, but would highly suggest using two layers of iron on lite or other type of iron on safe for layering should you choose to make it. Cricut, and myself, do not recommend layering the patterned vinyl, so proceed at your own risk should you choose to do so.
So I went back to the drawing board. I could have cut the same design again without the white text offset, but my daughter wanted to try another design, because on the off chance the original shirt held up in the wash, she didn’t want two of the same shirt.
How to Use Patterned Iron On with Cricut Maker:
The Right Way
And that’s where this Stranger Things cast inspired design came from. I have seem similar designs for the cast of shows like Friends and How I Met Your Mother, and decided to apply it to Stranger Things using cricut’s patterned iron on.
One thing to keep in mind when using patterned iron on is to keep your font choice simple. If you’ve been around this blog long, you will know that I love my hand written and cursive script fonts. However, the pattern will really stand out if you choose a more simple design with your graphics and/or fonts.
To cut the design, place your iron on face down on the mat, just like all other Cricut iron on. When you hit the “Make It” button, be sure to MIRROR! (I swear, this is the number one mistake made when using iron on, and one I often make myself!) I cut this design on my Cricut Maker, but you could easily cut this on a Cricut Explore machine as well, since it uses the fine tip blade.
Once the cut is completed, weed away the extra iron on. To apply, I used the EasyPress, which is life changing if you do much iron on. (It’s even better now that they have released the EasyPress Mat, which protects your work surface from the heat of the EasyPress. I know they have been in high demand, so try to grab yours at the Cricut shop before they run out.)
How to Use Patterned Iron On with Cricut Maker:
Easy Press Instructions
Heat the EasyPress to 340 degrees and set the timer to 50 seconds. Place the mat on your desk or work surface, with your shirt on top of the mat. Preheat your garment for 5-10 seconds first, then position your patterned iron on design. Put the EasyPress on top of your patterned iron on, and hit the Cricut button to start the timer. Press firmly until the timer runs out, and flip the shirt over. Press again firmly from the back for 15 seconds. (You can change the timer to 15 seconds, or just leave it at 50 and take it off when it gets to 35.) For an iron, use the cotton setting with the same times.
The next step is important – the patterned iron on is a COLD PEEL! This means wait until the design has cooled before peeling off the transfer layer. If not, you risk stretching the iron on and ruining your design.
TIP: If you plan to tie the arm holes together in the back like shown above, make sure you tie it after you iron on your design – otherwise the bump will make it hard to press consistently. To tie, I simply used a sleeve scrap, wrapped it around twice, and tucked the knot on the inside of the shirt.
And that’s all it takes!
This patterned iron on is such a simple way to create amazing projects that take no time at all. I am so excited to try it on a wood project! Right now, it is available in 9 sampler designs, which include three 12×17″ coordinating sheets in each sampler pack. I used the Nature Walk Basics in this project. I also have the In Bloom and Sunset Blossom sets to try out, but all of the designs are stunning. Hopefully they continue to grow this line – could you imagine a beautiful red and black buffalo plaid?!
If you’ve tried the new patterned iron on, I would love to hear more about. Which design did you choose? And what did you create with it? You can tag me on instagram (my username is @simplycraftedlife) – I would love to see your projects!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
[…] simply use names or identifying objects from different fandoms for the text. A great example is this version by The Simply Crafted Life with all of the names of the Stranger Things […]