Fun with the Cricut EasyPress {with free cut files}
I am thrilled to talk to you about the new Cricut EasyPress. I found out about the EasyPress when I was in Salt Lake City during the big Maker announcement. There they released this awesome piece of machinery as well. While the Maker for sure took the spotlight, don’t think the EasyPress is not just as awesome! I have had my EasyPress for a few months now and I am absolutely in love with it. I LOVE knowing what the actual temperature is, the timer so I don’t over heat my vinyl and the plate size is just perfect. I am obsessed with the Sarah Ann Leggings with the Panda Bear face knee patches!!! My littles love them too! To skip everything and grab the freebie designs, head on over to my FACEBOOK FAN GROUP and click on “files” to download the designs. Scroll to the end to watch my fun YouTube video showing you some really helpful tips for using your EasyPress and I talk about why the EasyPress for me is the better choice versus a heat press. You will want to watch the youtube video below explaining why there are 2 different types of images in the files. It will be worth it!
You can grab this free cut file in the facebook fan group. Pattern: Sarah Ann’s Leggings.
Okay, so I have to admit, I have a thing for irons…. (I swear I am pushing the “GO” button, not caressing the EasyPress) this is no ordinary iron though. Even though I use it for so many things besides iron on vinyl, we will try stay on topic today and focus on what it’s main function is: pressing iron on/ HTV in place. So, with that being said, is the EasyPress for you? Let’s go over some of the features and find out! First off, I feel the EasyPress was designed with me in mind (haha). I am a hardcore sewer but that takes most of my time so my crafty time is a little more limited. I love personalizing some of the things I make with iron on, work on applique projects here and there and whatever Make It Now project catches my eye. I don’t have a large sewing space and for sure don’t need a full sized heat press for the amount of projects I do (and I can’t justify the cost of a decent heat press). If you are using iron on several times a day, then you might want to invest in a full heat press, but if you are like me and just like to dabble in a little bit of everything, the EasyPress fits the job perfectly.
Okay – trying not to go off subject too much…. but the EasyPress is great for things other than iron on vinyl! I use it to iron my fabric that I pre-washed – the large plate allows for fast and efficient pressing. I use it to apply heat and bond to fabric to use on Explore Air 2 machine for applique pieces. When working on some projects, I like to starch my background fabric, I use my EasyPress to set the starch. Iron your curtains (or be like me and just talk about doing it….) Basically the EasyPress is a great addition to have in your crafty tool belt. It’s all about efficiency!
The EasyPress is amazing, but also note that it will not replace your standard home iron. Sometimes you just need that standard iron shape to press your shirts and pants. If you are like me, time is gold. I don’t like to spend 10 minutes pressing a design to a shirt. In fact, when I first started using a cutting machine, this was one of the main reasons I put it away – I didn’t have time to press one design 5 times for each layer. With 4 little girls, if I make one, I have to make 4 or I will not hear the end of it. So to answer the big question: Is the EasyPress for you? First, figure out how often you are pressing designs. If you do that on a daily basis, you may want a full heat press. If not, then the EasyPress is great. Other things to keep in mind while deciding if it is right for you: It’s great for iron on vinyl but it also does so much more! Do you like applique? Do you fuse a lot of heat and bond to fabric (just this is a good enough reason to get one!), do you pre-wash and press your fabric when you get it?
Let’s get to the fun free stuff already! hehe. I have created some super fun free cut files for you. There is a catch though…. They are in my Facebook Fan Group under the “files” tab. My website doesn’t support svg files so instead of making you checkout, open an pdf with links to a dropbox file to download – you can just go grab them on FB. If the group isn’t for you, you can leave after you grab the files but we would love to have you stay and play. I used the SARAH ANN LEGGINGS and did the bow cuff option. We have the adorable little Panda Bear face knee patches, Funny Turkey & I am just here for the pie. Just in time for some Thanksgiving goodies. Don’t have time to make your own leggings or shirts? I bought that Navy shirt (Turkey) for $4.50 at Walmart – great place to buy some solid tops and leggings and personalize them with whatever designs you want.
Be sure to check out the super fun YouTube videos I made for you. I show you how I created my designs to use multiple types of iron on transfer vinyl and some really useful tips when using your EasyPress. While you are there, subscribe to my channel!
Happy EasyPressing,
Katie Skoog
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
