Sewing on a Cricut Card? Yes! Make this Cute Valentine

• Open a blank canvas on your desktop
• Click the Upload button in the left toolbar
• Click Upload Image
• Click Browse to navigate to where you saved the file
• Select the “X’s and O’s Heart Sewing Card” file
• Click Open
• Click Continue in the lower right
• (Optional) Change name, add tags, or add to a collection on the left
• Click Upload in the lower right

• • Right-click on the design and select Ungroup, OR
  • Click the Ungroup icon at the top of the Layers panel (right side)
  • This will break it into two groups

• Open the Card Base group in the Layers panel
• You’ll see two layers: a center line and the card base rectangle
• Select just the center line (score line)

For Cricut Joy and Joy Extra users:

• Go to the top toolbar
• Click the Basic Cut dropdown menu
• Select Foil
• The line will turn gold (use the Foil Transfer Tool to score—no foil needed)

For Explore, Maker, or Venture users:

• • Go to the top toolbar
  • Click the dropdown menu
  • Select Score
  • The line will change to a black dashed line
  • Select the entire card base group in the Layers panel
  • Click Attach at the bottom to keep the score line positioned correctly

• Select the words (Happy Valentine’s Day)
• Go to the top toolbar dropdown next to Basic Cut
• Select Pen under Draw
• Change to 0.3mm extra fine point (recommended for thin fonts)
• Color: Black (or your choice)

• Select the white rectangle (banner)
• Hold Shift and select the words
• Click Attach at the bottom of the Layers panel
• This keeps the text exactly positioned on the banner

• • Click Make in the upper right
  • (Optional) Save your project
  • Click On Mat > Confirm
  • Rearrange elements on the mats as needed on the mat screen
  • Click Continue in the lower right when happy with the mats

• Material: Heavy Cardstock
  • Click Browse All Materials
  • Go to Cardstock section
  • Select Heavy Cardstock
  • Click Done
• You may get a “move star wheels” warning if using Joy Extra—click Got It and ignore it; you’re not using any Foil, just the Foil Tool to score

• Material options:
  • Explore/Maker/Venture users: Select Cardstock for Intricate Cuts
  • Joy/Joy Extra users: Select Medium Cardstock (even though 65 lb says “light,” use medium for better results)

Fold the Card Base

• Locate the score line on the white card base.
• Place your fingers against the score line and push the upper half of the card forward from behind to create a fold.
• Line up the edges along the bottom of the card.
• Use a bone folder to press along the fold line, creating a crisp crease.

Fill in the Greeting (Optional)

• Using the same 0.3mm pen used to draw the greeting outline by your machine, fill in the text.
• Alternatively, you can leave the greeting unfilled for a different look.

Prepare the Thread for Sewing

• Separate the white embroidery floss into three strands (from the standard six-strand floss).
• Cut approximately 18 – 24 inches of thread.
• Thread your tapestry needle.

Securing the Thread:

• Cut a small strip of tape (clear or double-stick).
• Tape down the end of the thread on the back of the heart piece, folding it in a direction close to where your stitches will run, making sure to not overlap adjacent holes.
• If using double-stick tape, remove the backing carefully.

First Round of Stitching (Skip-Stitch Method):

• Start at one side of the top row with a solid X or O. Come up through one hole from the back.
• Go down through the next hole, creating a straight stitch.
• Come up through the following hole and go down through the next hole which will create a another straight stitch with a skipped stitch in between.
• Continue this pattern (stitch, skip, stitch) until you return to the first stitch.

Second Round of Stitching (Fill-In Stitches):

• Go back and fill in the skipped stitches by coming up on the outside of the existing stitch at the first hole and then going down on the inside of the existing stitch at the second hole.
• Repeating that same pattern with every fill-in stitch to create a neat, finished look with consistent stitch direction.
• Continue around the X or O until all gaps are filled.

Stitch the Next Letter

• Move to the next closest letter to continue stitching. When moving from the one letter to the next, try to avoid pulling thread across the back of the holes so the thread isn’t visible through the holes from the front (this keeps the design looking neat).
• If necessary, tape down the thread on the back at an angle to prevent it from crossing visible holes.
• Use the same skip-stitch method followed by fill-in stitches for each X and O.
• Keep stitches going in the same direction (up on the outside, down on the inside) for a consistent appearance.
• For half-cut Os or Xs on the outer edges, keep the thread taut to complete the partial stitches.
• Once finished with the top row, tape down the thread end on the back.

If you prefer not to sew, you can create the look of stitching with pens:

• Use a white jelly roll pen to draw lines between the holes around the top and bottom rows of Xs and Os.
• Use a gold marker to draw faux stitches on the center row.
• Work with scratch paper underneath to protect your work surface.

This step adds a special metallic heart pattern to the black panel using paste and stencils. You can skip this step and use plain black cardstock or patterned paper instead.

• Place the black cardstock on a sticky mat, using the smooth side if you want to avoid getting paste on the grid.
• Line up the top edge with a grid line on the mat for alignment.
• Place your heart stencil over the black cardstock and press down to secure.
• Cover the outer edges of the stencil with tape to protect the sticky mat from paste.
• Using a palette knife, scoop small amounts of red and gold metallic paste.
• Place alternating colors along the top of the stencil.
• Spread the paste across the stencil with the palette knife, allowing the colors to blend naturally for a marbled effect.
• Scrape off excess paste for a smooth finish.
• Carefully peel off the stencil while the paste is still wet (to prevent it from drying on the stencil).
• Clean the palette knife and stencil with a baby wipe, damp cloth or soap and water immediately
• Allow the paste to dry completely before handling.

• Attach the black background panel to the front of the folded card base using adhesive.
• If the panel is slightly larger than the card base, trim any excess from the sides or bottom.
• Apply foam tape strips or squares to the back of the sewn heart piece. Avoid placing adhesive behind the sewn areas, which could show through the holes.
• Center the heart in top two-thirds of the black panel and press down to secure.
• Attach the filled-in greeting piece across the bottom third of the card using adhesive.
• Enjoy!

• Keep all stitches going in the same direction for a neat, consistent appearance.
• When sewing, avoid splitting existing threads with your needle.
• The metallic gold floss can be tricky to work with. Be patient and pull gently to avoid tangling.
• Use minimal paste when stenciling—a little goes a long way.
• If you don’t have the supplies for the metallic paste background, patterned paper works beautifully as an alternative.