Cricut How-to: Layering Vinyl to make a Bagpuss Phone Case
Why You Should Try Layering Vinyl
If you're a Cricut enthusiast, you're probably always on the lookout for fun new ways to spice up your projects. Well, let me tell you, layering vinyl is a game-changer!
One of the biggest benefits of layering vinyl is that it adds depth and dimension to your designs. By layering different colors of vinyl on top of each other, you can create a more interesting and eye-catching finished product. Plus, it's a great way to incorporate more intricate designs and details into your projects.
Another benefit of layering vinyl is that it allows you to create multi-colored designs without the hassle of painting or printing. With vinyl, you can achieve clean, crisp lines and colors without any smudging or bleeding.
And let's not forget about the durability factor. Vinyl is a great material for projects that need to hold up over time, and layering multiple pieces of vinyl on top of each other can create a strong, long-lasting finished product.
Overall, layering vinyl is a fun and creative way to take your Cricut projects to the next level. So why not give it a try and see what kind of amazing designs you can come up with?
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Layering Cricut Vinyl for Beginners
- Choose your design: Start by selecting a design that you want to create. Keep in mind the colours you want to use and the order in which you want to layer the vinyl.
- Cut your vinyl: Cut each layer of vinyl separately using your Cricut machine. Make sure to adjust the cut settings based on the type of vinyl you are using.
- Weed the vinyl: Use a weeding tool to remove the excess vinyl around your design. Be careful not to remove any of the small details that you want to keep.
- Apply transfer tape: Cut a piece of transfer tape that is slightly larger than your vinyl design. Peel the backing off the transfer tape and carefully place it over the top layer of your vinyl design.
- Remove air bubbles: Use a scraper tool to press the transfer tape onto the vinyl, making sure to remove any air bubbles. This will ensure that the vinyl sticks to the transfer tape.
- Start layering up: Carefully position the transfer tape with the vinyl over the next layer of vinyl. Always start with the top layer and work your way down, aligning each layer as you go.
- Repeat the process: Repeat the process for each layer of vinyl, being careful to line up each layer carefully before applying pressure.
- Apply the vinyl: Carefully position the transfer tape with the vinyl onto your project surface. Use the scraper tool to press the vinyl onto the surface, making sure to remove any air bubbles. Gently peel off the transfer tape to reveal your finished design!
By following these simple steps, you'll be able to create stunning layered vinyl projects with your Cricut machine. Just take your time and work carefully, and you'll soon be a pro at vinyl layering!
Easy Project: Bagpuss Phone Case With Layered Vinyl
You Will Need...
adhesive vinyl in black, dark pink, light pink, blue and white
blank phone case
fine point or premium fine point blade
weeder
StandardGrip machine mat if not using Cricut Smart Materials
transfer tape
Bagpuss SVG cutting file, downloaded from CraftStash here
Cricut smart cutting machine
Cricut Design Space on your computer or mobile device
Shop all digital crafting supplies at CraftStash
Preparing Your Design
Open Cricut Design Space and start a new project. I will be showing the process in Design Space Version 7 for the Maker 3, but the process will be similar whatever version you are using.
Measure your phone and draw a shape the same size in Design Space – this is just to help you plan, you will delete it later. I have coloured mine in yellow to remind me to delete it.
Import the Bagpuss layering SVG from CraftStash and add it to your canvas. Resize the image so that the black base layer fits nicely onto the phone shape.
In the layers menu, click the header of each group of items to select all items in that group, then click “combine” and “unite”. This ensures each element of the image is correctly aligned when it is cut out.
You will now have 5 groups for Bagpuss – the background which will be cut from black, the two colours of fur to be cut from dark pink and light pink, the eyes to be cut from blue and the highlights to be cut from white (or if you prefer, drawn on with a white gel pen).
Arrange your pieces onto the phone template and recolour each layer to match the colour of vinyl you will be using.
Insert the word “golden” as text and change the font to Ole. Set the letter space to 0.1 and the curve to 22. Repeat for the words “& light”, but set the curve to -22. Position the words above and below Bagpuss and recolour them as shown.
Add an offset of 0.1cm to both pieces of text. Unite all like colours together.
Delete your phone template (yellow box) and proceed to make your cuts, following the specific instructions for your machine.
Trim and weed each colour and set aside ready for layering.
Layering Vinyl and Completing Your Project
To create a layered design, you will add each layer to the transfer tape one at a time, lining them up as you go. You should start with the topmost layers and work down.
If you have colours which sit on the same layer, start with the largest piece and then align the smaller pieces around this.
Here you will see I added the two pink pieces first, then the eyes and nose before finally adding these to the black backing.
Finally, apply your design to the back of your phone case.
Use a brayer to add even pressure to secure the vinyl and remove any air bubbles. Leave to cure for 24 hours before use.