Burlap Bunny Bags - Heat Press & Iron Tutorial using Heat Transfer Vinyl

Photographs CG Swafford

Hi everyone!  I’m CG, a crafter/hobbyist/home business owner in southwest Ohio.  I have been married to my wonderful husband for 10 years and I am a stay at home mother of 2 great children, an 8 year old daughter, and a 4 year old son.  I find time to craft and create between school-time and daily life and I enjoy every second.   I received both of my Silhouette Cameo original and a Silhouette Cameo 3 as gifts.  I currently use Silhouette Design Software for Business. 

I have been using my Silhouette Cameo for home crafts, birthday décor and gifts since 2012.  I am honored to be apart of the Craft Chameleon Blog and I am so excited to share these super cute burlap bunny bags with you today.  I will be demonstrating 2 ways to apply heat transfer vinyl to the burlap bags, with a heat press, and with a home iron.

Supplies:

Items with * have a link to the Craft Chameleon products

* Burlap Bunny Bag 

* Bunny Face File  - these are free with your purchase. 

      The file links are found in your shipping confirmation.

  Siser Easyweed Heat Transfer Vinyl in Black & Royal Blue

* Siser Glitter Heat Transfer Vinyl in Rose Gold & Blush

  Vinyl Cutting Machine

  Silhouette Designer Software

* Weeding Tools

  Teflon Cover Sheet

  Heat Press or Home Iron

Step 1

Download files from Craft Chameleon for this project.  We will be using a modified version of CC Bunny Face.  Open the downloaded file in your design software.  

Step 2

Select the image, right click and then select Ungroup.  We will be removing the ears from the image and using the face portion only.   Now select the ears and delete.  This will leave the face on your screen.

Step 3

Select all the parts of the face & Group.  Resize the image to approximately 6” wide x 4” tall.

Step 4

Using the text tool add a name to your bunny face using your favorite font.  I have chosen to use Smoothie Shoppe for Olivia & Whackadoo for Owen.  These are both free fonts found at Dafont.com.  Size the name and center to your liking.  Be sure to weld the font if the letters overlap.

Step 5

I added a bow as an embellishment to the top of my design.  I sized it to about 2x2.5.  I have had this image for so long I can’t remember where I got it.  However, Craft Chameleon has this bow design for $.90 and you get an acrylic bow to use later!

Step 6

Mirror your image and text.  

Step 7

Cut your pieces from heat transfer vinyl in your desired colors.  Use the recommended cut settings for your machine and vinyl type. I cut the Siser Glitter first and Siser Easyweed next.  Since these cut with different cut settings, I had to send them thru the Silhouette at separate times.

Step 8 Heat Press
{If you are using a home iron, skip this these steps and refer to the Step 8 Home section below.}

Weed the vinyl & prepare your heat press to the correct temperatures for your brand of vinyl

Step 9

Press the Bunny Bag for a few seconds using a Teflon or cover sheet to get out some of the moisture. Tip: Some crafters use a folded towel inside to keep the lining straight and unbonded. Plus it can aid in getting an even press.

Step 10

Align black vinyl in the appropriate location on the bag being sure things are level and even.  Press for the recommended time.  

Step 11

Remove carrier sheet and press again for a few more seconds.  If the vinyl lifts with the carrier sheet, lay the carrier sheet back down and press again with the heat press.  Be sure to apply with lots of pressure. 

Step 12

Repeat with pink vinyl pieces.  Once the vinyl has all been applied and carrier sheet removed, cover one last time with Teflon cover sheet and press again for a few more seconds.  This process will set the design. 

Step 8 Home Iron

Adjust the heat dial on your Home Iron to Wool or slightly below.  I have found that this temperature setting works best with the burlap material. 

Step 9 Home IronOn a firm work surface, place a Teflon cover sheet over your bunny bag.  Press the design area for a few seconds to remove excess moisture. Tip: Some crafters use a folded towel inside to keep the lining straight and unbonded. Plus it can aid in getting an even press.

Step 10 Home Iron

Next, align the black bunny eyes & whisker piece to the desired location.  Be sure it is level and centered where you want.  Cover with Teflon sheet and press down firmly for 10 to 15 seconds with your home iron.  Do not move it back and forth. If your iron does not cover the entire design press in segments until the entire piece has been pressed.

Step 11 Home Iron 

Remove the Teflon cover sheet and lift carrier sheet from the vinyl.  If the vinyl lifts with the carrier sheet, place the carrier sheet back down and recover with Teflon sheet and press again with the home iron.  Pressure is key!

Home Iron TIP: If the vinyl is having trouble adhering to the burlap, I have found that burnishing it a bit really helps.  I do this with my iron or my vinyl squeegee after the vinyl is heated a bit through the Teflon cover sheet.  I have found that this helps to get the vinyl down in the grooves of the burlap and create a secure bond.

Step 12 Home Iron
Once the vinyl is applied and carrier sheet has been removed, cover the design area with the Teflon sheet again and press a few more seconds with the home iron.  This will set the design. 

To Complete
Repeat steps 10 -12 with the nose, bow, and name.  

Voila! Your Burlap Bunny is in/on the Bag!

Thank you CG Swafford!