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Getting to Know My EasyPress2
It’s here! For my birthday I received an EasyPress2 bundle from my husband and my girls both gave me lots of vinyl. WeeHooo! I’m gonna do some HTV projects! So no doubt, I’ve been to the Dollar Tree and have socks, tea towels and oven mitts to practice on. Well of course there was a trip to Michaels also for T-shirts!
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Nervous Excitement For the First EasyPress2 Project
Nervously I did the first project. The bag that comes with the EasyPress2. Read instructions look at press, read instructions again, get up enough courage to turn it on. It heated and I pressed the bag. (OMG this is going to be great for my quilting!) nice flat press and it was time to apply the green C! Super easy! Center, press, turn over, press again and peel. I’m in love and am on to my next project!
Although I purchased several items to practice on and am ready to start on them, they must be washed first to remove any residues. Don’t use fabric softener! So while they are in the washer, I’ll work on a different project.
Reverse Canvas
My next project will be a reverse canvas.
Begin by cutting the canvas close to the staples. Use the Cricut Truecontrol Knife or an exacto knife. Cut as close to the staples as possible and then peel the canvas off of the frame.
This design came from Design Space. Thought it best to start with something simple. One color and easy to weed. HTV is different from weeding vinyl! Easy but those little weeds are full of static making them hard to get off your fingers. I use an empty Kleenex box to dump mine.
Find the center of both the canvas and the design. Carefully place the design and press the recommended amount of time and temperature. Press the back side for a bit also to help ensure a good sticking.
Pick a stain for the frame and apply. I use Minwax Special Walnut. Use gloves and a rag to thoroughly cover all the frame. Wipe off any excess. Let it dry for at least 10 minutes.
Place the canvas on the frame and get it centered up. Flip and begin stapling all four corners first, pulling the canvas tight. Continue stapling all the was around making sure to keep the canvas tight.
Trim the excess off and there you go! The project didn’t take that long, maybe an hour or so. Now I have a cute sign for the pool area.
Peace Fingers T-Shirt with EasyPress2
On to a t-shirt. Bringing my EasyPress2 down to the work shop gives me enough space to work. My outlet is perfect to use it on this table. First design is a hand doing the peace sign. Also my first layered design. I set the EasyPress2 to the recommended temperature, preheated the t-shirt then pressed the first layer on for about 3 seconds, but it took about 3 tries to peel the cover layer off without the vinyl wanting to peel up. Line up the second layer and press for the recommended time, don’t forget to do the back side also to ensure a good stick. I missed a perfect like up by a hair? There is a little black peeking outside of the white outline in a few places, but I am happy with it. I’m just an old hippie at heart! Consequently, a tie dyed t-shirt with a peace sign will be in my future too!
Oven Mitt
Oven mitts filled with cooking utensils look like such a fun gift so let’s try one of the mitts I got at the dollar tree. Don’t forget to mirror any worded designs when doing HTV projects. So let it cool good before peeling. It should not burn your fingers as you’re peeling! Don’t rush, it’ll be alright! It turned out great and is ready to be filled with those cooking products to make the perfect housewarming or whatever gift for the kitchen.
Kitchen Tea Towel
Although the oven mitts make great gifts, don’t forget about tea towels also. Find a saying that matches your recipient or monogram for a truly personal gift. Inexpensive and practical. So easy to find a color to match their decor then press the design on. This tea towel is from the dollar tree also. Simple yet to the point. Same as the oven mitts, they can be personalized in many different fashions. Totally up to you!
Just a Few Parting Tips to Remember
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First thing to do is prewash without fabric softener and dry.
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Use a sturdy surface to place your Cricut mat or folded towel where you will be pressing.
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Cut your design with the shiny side down
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Always preheat your project 3-5 seconds to remove all wrinkles and moisture.
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Center your design where you want shiny side up.
- Refer to the Cricut EasyPress Interactive Quick Reference Guide and follow instructions.
- Don’t forget to turn it over and press on the back for about 15 seconds for a good stick.
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Allow item 24 hours before washing. Best to wash wrong side out.
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Re iron according to settings if any of the design peels up.
Have Fun With Your EasyPress2!
Above all, have fun and let you imagination go wild! There are so many different vinyls and mediums to press it onto, therefore the possibility are endless! Do you do HTV project or have an EasyPress tip? Please share below so we can all see!
Happy Crafting!
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