How to Cut HTV and Fabric with the Cricut Maker

I’m totealy excited to share this no sew version of the Tea Party Scent Sachets pattern that’s available to you when you purchase the new Cricut Maker. Because when you purchase the machine, not only do you get to experience all the new bells and whistles of the Maker, but you also get a limited time subscription to Cricut Access! Which is exactly where I came across this lovely little craft, but of course I had to put a Siser® spin on it.

cricut access tea party scent sachets pattern

The pattern not only gives you the cut files to work with, but tells you all the materials needed for the project. Mine vary a bit from the original, so if you have a Maker and want to follow along here’s what you’ll need.

Supplies for No Sew Scent Sachets

Start by placing the fabric (right side down) on the pink Fabric Grip cutting mat. If you have the standard blade in the holder, unlock it and replace it with the new rotary blade which is designed specifically for fabric. While the locking mechanism is similar to the Explore Air, the plastic has been replaced by a heavier duty metal on the blade side. The pen holder is the same, however.

rotary blade and fabric grip cutting may

cutting and drawing on fabric with the new Cricut Maker

You may notice a key feature of previous Cricut machines is missing. The Smart Dial has been removed entirely and instead your material is selected within Design Space. If you’ve ever used the Custom setting on the Smart Dial then this screen will be somewhat familiar.

set material page in Cricut Design Space

Since I’m using a cotton upholstery fabric which is thicker than standard cotton, I went with Medium Fabrics. Press the familiar flashing Cricut button to begin the cutting process and let the machine do the hard work. When it’s finished, unload the mat and gently peel away the excess fabric. The cut settings were spot on, and left me with perfectly cut pattern pieces. I’ll clean all the little threads off that mat later…

peel excess fabric away from cutting mat

Peel cut fabric pattern pieces of fabric grip mat

To cut heat transfer vinyl, swap the Fabric Grip mat for the blue Light Grip mat and replace the standard blade in the holder. Place the shiny side of the HTV face down on the mat, so the adhesive side is exposed for cutting. When you get to the Set Material page in Design Space, select View All on the right and a list of all possible materials will pop up. Scroll to Iron On and select Flocked.

Standard blade with StripFlock HTV on light grip cutting mat

I cut out a simple button shape I made using circles and the Attach tool in Design Space.

Weeding StripFlock heat transfer vinyl use the siser weeder to remove the inside cavities

After putting the new Maker through it’s paces, I hand cut EasyWeed Adhesive strips with scissors in order to take this project from stitched to no sew. Distinguishing between the adhesive and the carrier can be tricky with this translucent material. If you’re ever unsure, pick at a corner with your weeder. If you can’t lift anything it’s the carrier side, if you pull the adhesive, then you know it’s the adhesive side. The carrier side should face up for heat application.

cut EasyWeed Adhesive pieces with scissors to match the sachet sides

With your iron on the Cotton setting, place the EasyWeed Adhesive(1), cover with a heat transfer cover sheet, and press for 5 seconds(2). Peel the carriers hot(3) and repeat the process with the next adhesive pieces(4.)

how to iron on EasyWeed Adhesive for a no sew sachet

When just the adhesive remains on the squarer piece, stack it on top of the triangle piece. Press the fabrics with your iron for 10 seconds to bond them together.

stack fabric with adhesive on top of the other fabric piece EasyWeed Adhesive on one piece of cut fabric

Repeat the EasyWeed Adhesive process with the tea tag. Except when you go to stack your fabrics, add a bit of twine to the sandwich then press with your iron for 10 seconds.

stack fabric pieces with string inside Iron on EasyWeed Adhesive around the edges of one piece of fabric

This scented sachet is almost complete! Fill with your favorite scent before sealing it up.

put scented filling inside the sachet

After filling, fold over the triangle and use a small piece of EasyWeed Adhesive to seal it shut. Finally, attach the tag and string to the sachet by heat pressing it beneath the StripFlock button.

Attach the tag and string to the sachet with the HTV button use a small piece of adhesive to seal the sachet shut

hang the sachet for a sweet scent in a cute package

Let StripFlock cool completely before peeling the carrier and sachet is finished! Since this item won’t be washed and will be handled gently there should be minimal fraying. If you want prevent it further, you could use more HTV to seal the edges or use pinking shears like they did in the original Cricut Access craft.

Overall, I think the Maker is definitely an improved piece of equipment that will be of value to not only quilters and sewists, but vinyl decorators and all other multi media crafters. I was particular excited to see the added Pressure setting that lets you add more or less pressure to your current setting. This means that you can now dial in your cut settings more precisely. The fast mode is a bonus as well!

Pressure and fast mode settings in Cricut Design Space

Pin this post, so you can look back at it when you get yours hands on the Cricut Maker! What would you use the new machine for? Tell me about it in the comments!

Get acquainted with the new Cricut Maker and whip up this no sew scented sachet that looks like a little tea bag. Sweet and simple, this project can be made with items in your scrap stash.

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