How to Use The Silhouette Cameo to Personalize a Cushion Cover

Yesterday I gave you a peek at my latest project, a customized Ikea Ritva cushion cover. As promised, I have a tutorial for those of you that want to make your own pretty cushion cover.

Who’s ready for some pillow talk?

Okay, here it is…

How to Use The Silhouette Cameo to Personalize a Cushion Cover

Tools & Materials

Silhouette Cameo
Silhouette Flocked Heat Transfer Material
Damask Image/File
Silhouette hook
Iron
Pressing cloth
2 Ikea Ritva Cushion Covers

Start by opening a new project in Silhouette Studio (I have the Designer edition but it’s not necessary for this project). Go to the page settings (should pop up on right side of screen) and change the page width to 9″ and the length to 36″. Under cutting mat, choose “none”.

Click on file —–> My library —–> then choose your file (mine is a damask purchased from the online store). Click on the scale icon —–> check the lock aspect ratio box. I wanted my damask iron transfer to be as large as possible so I changed the width to 8.5″. This gives you a little big of wiggle room since the flocked heat transfer material is 9″ wide.

*Important* If your design is asymmetrical or you are using lettering, be sure to mirror or flip your image horizontally; otherwise your design will be backwards once you transfer it onto the cover.

Once you have determined the size of the image, you can send your file to the Cameo for printing. Load the heat transfer roll carefully! If your roll is not aligned properly for 9″ media, it will move around while cutting and you will want to cry over the waste.

Unload your project and trim the design away from the remaining heat transfer material. Now the fun part – peel off all the negative pieces of heat transfer material so the main design remains on the clear backing. Use the silhouette hook to help grab small, intricate pieces.

Now your design is ready to be transferred onto the cushion cover.

Transfering Your Flocked Heat Transfer Design onto the Cover

Start by pressing the cushion cover really well.

Turn your iron to the cotton setting. Position your design onto the pillow with the clear backing facing up. Place a pressing cloth (any lightweight cotton will do) on top of your design. Iron your design in small sections, pressing down for about 45 seconds in each area. Allow the work area to cool a bit before attempting to peel off the clear backing from the design.

Be patient when removing the backing from the design. Sometimes a bit of the design will peel away from the fabric. If that happens, just press the transfer material and backing down, pop the pressing cloth on top and iron over the area again. Once you have finished removing the clear backing, place the pressing cloth directly over the flocked heat transfer design and gently iron over the entire area again (just for safe measure!).

I like the texture of the flocked heat transfer material and I think it compliments the thick weave of the cotton cushion cover nicely. This project turned out beautifully. Well, in my opinion anyhow!

So that’s it. Wasn’t that easy? I really love my new pillows and I know you’ll have fun personalizing your own cushion covers too!

Happy Crafting!

P.S. If you don’t have a digital die cutter (not many people do), you can still give your pillow a makeover with freezer paper and stencils as described in one of my older posts. You can also check out this tutorial by The Craft Blog via Canadian Living

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