Pot holders make a great addition to any kitchen and are made with the most adorable sayings on the front. They also make great gifts as they can be filled with cooking utensils and cake or cookie mix.
To make these pot holders you will need the following items:
Fonts or design for your pot holder
Scissors
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Getting Started
Getting started is easy just select the design that you would like on the front of the pot holder. This can either be designed by yourself or a design that has been purchased from somewhere like design bundles.
Once you have the design you are ready to head over to design space. Click on new project and that will take you to a new blank canvas.
Uploading your design
Download a design that you have purchased onto your computer.
Once the design is downloaded head back over to design space and click on the upload cloud on the left hand side of the canvas. This will take you to the upload screen.
Click on the upload image button. This will take you to the next screen where you have an option to drag and drop the file or browse. If you click browse it will bring up the list of your downloads. Choose the download you wish to use. Click on the file and then click on the open button in the bottom right corner.
You will then see your design opened on the prepare to upload screen. If you are happy with the design, you have the option to name the imagine. Next you need to click on the upload button in the bottom right corner. Return to the upload screen where you will see your design displayed under resent uploads.
Click on the design you have uploaded and this will put a green box around it then you need to click on the one in green and click the add to canvas button in the bottom right hand corner.
Over on the canvas you should see that the design has been loaded. At this point you need to measure the area on your pot holder to make sure the design is going to fit.
Sizing your design
I measured my pot holder and I needed to the size of my design to be maximum size of 5” high by 5” wide. You can change the size of the design in 2 different ways.
The first way is to use the sizing handle in the bottom right corner of your design. Adjusting the size of the design is done by clicking on it and moving it till the right size is reached.
The other way is to click on the width and height box at the top of the canvas and alter the size accordingly. The padlock in the middle means that they will both change in proportion. Unless you click on the padlock and this will allow you to change the height and width to the exact size you require.
Preparing the vinyl
Once your design is the correct size, you are now ready to cut the vinyl. To prepare the vinyl onto the mat you should place the heat transfer vinyl shiny side down and press firmly onto the mat. Load the mat into your Cricut by using the arrow button.
Now the mat is ready head back over to design space and click on the make it button in the top right hand corner. This will take you to the next screen where it will show you the prepared mat and your design on the mat.
This is how the maker will cut the design. As you are using Heat Transfer Vinyl you will need to click on the mirror button, this will reverse your design. Next head over to the continue button in the bottom right corner.
Cutting the Vinyl
You should now select the material you wish to cut. If you need to search for your materials then click on browse all materials and this will show you all the materials that the cricut can cut. I personally use premium vinyl as it gives consistent results.
Next alter the pressure. To get the best cut possible change the pressure from Default to more. To change the pressure just click on the box and it will drop down the options.
Once all the material and pressure have been selected the green cricut button on the maker will be flashing, press the button and the cut will start.
Once the cut has finished, press the flashing arrow button and release the mat.
To remove the vinyl, flip the mat over and peel the mat away from the back of the vinyl. This will prevent the vinyl from curling up.
Trim around the edges of your design to save excess vinyl for another project and to save time weeding. To begin weeding use the weeding tool to weed out all the unneeded vinyl. Your design will be the only bit left.
Time to press the design onto your pot holder.
For the final stage we now need to heat press the design onto the front of the pot holder. I used my cricut easy press for this. I heated the heat press up to a temperature of 160 degrees centigrade. Once the heat press is at temperature, prepare the pot holder by heat pressing it for 10 seconds to remove any moisture that may be in the pot holder. Line up your design at the bottom of the pot holder, trying to get it as central as possible.
Once you are happy with the placement of the design, apply the heat press and apply pressure onto the bag for 30 seconds.
Once all the design has been pressed carefully start to remove the protective sheet from the vinyl. I like to do this slowly starting in the corner, if the vinyl is lifting up then just pop the protective sheet back down and press the design again and that should do the trick.
Once the design if fully adhered then your pot holder is all complete and ready to use. These make really great gift items as well as being great for use in the kitchen.
I really hope you enjoyed my blog. If you did why not take a look at my YouTube video below to see how I made the pot holders.
Also why not take a look at my other blogs: How to make a Personalised Tote Bag and Jute Covered Easter eggs
See you soon
Lisa