DIY Customised Umbrella using iron-on vinyl 2

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

This Iron on Umbrella DIY is a quick project and a great way to put a happy slant on a rainy day. I have always been a fan of personalised items and love how easy and quick it is to make my own customised umbrella using iron on vinyl with the Cricut Maker and The Cricut EasyPress 2.

I was recently send a EasyPress 2 to review and I really wanted to put it through its paces, so I thought that using glitter iron on and an umbrella would be a good test.

I have previously used Glitter iron on before and I am not going to lie I have found getting the adherence right has been hard, well the EasyPress 2 makes iron on a really simple and permanent measure.

Materials:

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• Glitter Iron on – I used green and pink (UK Link/US Link)
• Plain Umbrella (UK Link/US Link)
• Cricut EasyPress 2 (UK Link/US Link)
• Cricut Maker (UK Link/US Link)

How to make a DIY Customised Umbrella

I created my design using design studio. I used specific fonts that I had previously purchased from Creative Market – a duo called Greatly. I really love the combination and it cuts really well. I use it a lot.

When using a cursive font, I often change the spacing and then make sure I weld the text, so that it prints out in one. I cut and then weeded the vinyl and yes I made sure that I mirrored the cut for both mats.

Then it was time to use the EasyPress 2 and I have to say that it was really simple and I am a convert from an iron. There is even an interactive guide to help you choose what temperature to use and how long to press for. It also advised that I used fabric between the umbrella and glitter iron on.

Then it was time to remove the protective coating – for glitter vinyl you remove it warm.

I was really impressed and I even tested the umbrella and the iron on with a watering can to see if it stayed on and yep it did.

I also used the design on the cover, although I did make it slightly smaller to fit.

I am delighted at how it turned out and also at how quick it was – around 15 minutes from start to finish.

So what do I think about the EasyPress 2 and what is the difference from the first one?

Well, I LOVE the EasyPress and I have been using for all my quilting too. Yep, I am a quilter and often still find myself ironing rather than pressing, but no longer. I have been doing some foundation paper piecing and am a total convert and have pressed each and every piece with the EasyPress. I am so enamouredc with it I now want one in every size!

• The EasyPress 2 comes in three different sizes – 6×7, 9×9, and 12×10.
• The EasyPress 2 has a max temp of 200 degrees centigrade compared to the original’s max temperature of 175.
• It heats up really fast – around 2 minutes for the size I have (medium).
• It is so simple to use with a button for temperature and countdown timer.
• The plate has an even heat distrubution all over with no hot spots.

The EasyPress 2 has very quickly become a craft room must have and I wouldn’t be without it.