Bear Pocket Bags - Combining Felt and Flocked Heat Transfer

Hello Janet here again.
Today I'm sharing a felt project with you over on the Silhouette UK Blog, turning a paper pocket file into a cute felt bag.  It also includes instructions for a no-sew technique for adding fine details to ANY felt project.

Many of the files in the Silhouette Design Store, designed to be used for paper, can be made into felt projects. Felt cuts much more easily on the Silhouette CAMEO®3 if it is first backed with a stabiliser. I used the Silhouette Clean Cut  Fusible Fabric Stabiliser, rather than the Cut and Sew type, as this project wouldn't require any machine sewing. In fact, it requires no sewing at all.

For detailed instructions on how to cut felt backed with stabiliser I recommend that you read my recent post on the Silhouette  UK blog called Cutting Felt with Cameo®3.  I also recommend using a wool/viscose felt mix, rather than a completely synthetic felt. Not only does it cut more easily, but it retains its softness and dimension, whereas synthetic felt can, once pressed, compress and fuse with the layer beneath, losing depth and texture.

In order to make the smaller and more detailed pieces I used my favourite cheat - Flocked Heat Transfer Material. Once incorporated into the the project its velvety texture looks like felt, but more intricate cuts can be made with a level of detail not possible from felt.


What You'll Need
Felt Sheets in Brown Shades (preferably a  30% wool, 70% viscose blend)
Cotton Fabric for Lining
Fusible Fabric Stabiliser (Clean Cut)
Black Flocked Heat Transfer Material 
Iron (on a non-steam setting)
Fabric Adhesive (Beacon Fabri-tac is my favourite)
Ribbon, Cord, or Similar (for a strap)
Downloaded file Bear Hug Candy Pocket by J M Rush (#172324)
Downloaded Bow File, I used (#16778) by Alaa' K

The file's designer, J M Rush, gives full instructions on how to make up the pocket. These instructions can be accessed in 3 ways:

• From the file's details in the Silhouette Design Store,
• Using the Show Properties facility in your software Downloads Library, and
• Directly from this link.

I hope you like these cute bears, I loved making them and LOVE my Silhouette too!

Cutting Felt with the Silhouette Curio - A Needle Case

I'm so pleased to finally find some time to play with my Silhouette Curio using felt. I adore working with felt and used to be in a weekly sharing event called Flannel Friday and had a blog totally devoted to making felt toys and storytelling props. Today I'm very excited to be sharing my felt cutting technique with you on the Silhouette UK Blog.

Although most felt can be cut on the Cameo or Portrait if it is backed with an iron-on stabiliser, I have found that the Curio can cut felt without stabiliser. I am sharing the method that I use to cut felt. I also describe how to protect the cutting mat from felt fibres and how to temporarily adhere the felt to the cutting mat using regular vinyl or contact paper.

I hope you enjoy working with felt and the Curio as much as I do. Do share your makes and ideas in the comments or on the Silhouette UK Facebook Community Page.

Here is a link from my older blog on cutting felt with the Cameo.

Silhouette Designs Used: