DIY Fall Sweatshirt Using your Cricut

Instructions

Step 1: Measure your shirt to determine the design size

The first thing we are going to do is measure our shirt to see how big our design should be.  If you need help with this, I have a handy sizing guide that you can download here. 

For the shirt I am using today, 10.5 inches is perfect so I will go with that size for my design.

Step 2: Prepare the design for cutting in Cricut Design Space

Now we can open a new project in Cricut Design Space and upload our design. 

Next, we can resize the design to fit our sweatshirt.

We also need to attach parts of the design before we cut so go ahead and select the entire image and click ungroup. 

Now we can select each layer and click attach.  (select the first layer, click attach then select the second layer, click attach, etc)

Then click make it.

You should have 2 mats.  One for the main part of the design and another for the pumpkins and leaves.  Since we are using iron-on vinyl, we will also need to turn on the mirror option for each mat.

Click continue and select your material type.

For the words, I used a non-Cricut heat transfer vinyl so I will click browse all materials.

Then search for heat transfer and then select "Heat Transfer (non-Cricut)".

Step 3: Place the iron-on vinyl on the mat and start cutting

Now we can place the heat transfer vinyl with the shiny side down on a standard grip mat.  I like to use a brayer tool to make sure the material is stuck to the mat well. 

Then we can load the mat and start cutting.

Once the mat is done cutting we can unload it and remove the vinyl from the mat.

For the pumpkins and leaves, I am using a glitter iron-on material so I will change the material type for that mat to glitter iron-on.

Again we will place the glitter vinyl shiny side down on the mat, load it, and start cutting.

Then unload the mat and remove the glitter vinyl.

Now we are ready to start weeding the design.  If you have any excess vinyl with no cuts on it, you can cut that away from the design and save the scraps for a smaller future project.

Step 4: Weed the vinyl

To weed the design, use a weeding tool to pull up the corner and then remove the bulk of the excess vinyl.  Next, you will use the weeding tool to remove the smaller parts of the design that you don't want on the shirt.

Once you weed the pumpkins and leaves, you will want to cut those apart since they will be placed in separate areas on the sweatshirt.

Step 5: Set the temperature and time on your heat-press

Now we are going to set the temperature and time for our heat press.  Cricut's heat press guide recommends setting the temperature to 330 degrees and the time to 30 seconds for this type of shirt and vinyl.

Step 6: Apply the vinyl to the sweatshirt

To get the design centered on the sweatshirt, we are going to fold it in half and then apply heat. 

This will create a visible crease in the center of the shirt so that we can place our design.  Don't worry about the discoloration on the sweatshirt in the pictures on the half that was heated. 

This happens when the sweatshirt is heated, but it goes away once the shirt cools. 

Now we can fold the white part of the design in half and gently crease the top and the bottom of the plastic backing sheet. 

Then match those creases up with the centerline that we ironed onto the sweatshirt.  I usually place the design about 2-3" down from the neckline but you can adjust this to your preference.

To place the leaves and pumpkins on the sweatshirt, you will need to cut the plastic backing sheet down a bit so you can place them close to the letters without the plastic sheet covering any of the vinyl. 

You want to make sure that every part of the vinyl is in direct contact with the sweatshirt or it won't adhere correctly.

Then place the Teflon sheet on top of the sweatshirt and start heating.  I like to use firm and even pressure on the heat press to make sure that everything adheres well.

Once you have heated the front of the sweatshirt, we are going to flip it over and heat the back for 15 seconds.

Step 7: Remove the plastic backing to reveal your new sweatshirt

The white iron-on vinyl I am using is a warm peel so I am going to peel the plastic backing sheet off while it is still warm. 

The glitter iron-on is a cool peel so I will wait until it is cool to the touch before I peel up the plastic backing sheet on it.  The type of iron-on vinyl should specify if it is a warm peel or cool peel vinyl.

If any part of the design lifts when you peel back the plastic sheet, just place the plastic backing sheet for the entire design back down and heat it for a bit longer until it sticks. 

Make sure you don't ever apply heat directly to the vinyl without the plastic backing sheet over it.