Cutting Fabric

[demilleraly]

I have the cricuit expression and cannot cut fabic.  Any idea as to why? Is there a setting that needs to be changed?

[Maxluv]

Do you have the deep cut blade?

[demilleraly]

No.  I guess that's my problem....LOL.   

I knew it had to be something.

[Maxluv]

LOL right.. i just brought the housing and deep cut blades recently.

[Linda B]

Here is a post with tips I copied and saved for my files for future use. I haven't had to use my deep cutting housing at all. Works great for me. Hope it works for you Denise.

 Cutting fabric with cricut
1. I used 100 cotton fabric, but you could use anything that is cotton. Pre-wash your item with NO fabric softener and with your fabric. After you have washed your fabric, adhere Heat-n-Bond to your fabric. DO NOT USE PELLON....IT DOES NOT WORK! It is too "stringy" and will stick to your mat. Okay, enough of that. You can get Heat-n-Bond in the fabric store, or they also sell it in the crafting section at Walmart pre cut (near the sewing notions". Do NOT let them talk you into Pellon.

2. Peel the paper backing off the fabric and adhere it to your mat. Take your scraper thingy from the tool kit and smooth it on the mat nice and tight. This will ensure that you will get good clean cuts. This is a VERY important step.

3. Here are the settings for your machine. Put the blade on 5, the speed on the lowest and the pressure to max. This will ensure that you will not go too fast and pull your fabric. If you have made sure to rub your fabric really well on the mat, this should not be a problem. I suggest using a NEW BLADE if possible. In fact, I have a "fabric" blade that I use only when I cut fabrics out.