How to Make a Custom Tea Towel with Cricut

In this post, you’ll learn how to make a custom tea towel with Cricut Joy and the Cricut Mini Easy Press. This is a super easy beginner friendly iron-on Cricut project that you can try right after purchasing your Cricut machine. You’ll also be able to get the SVG used in this iron-on project for free if you’re new to the Cricut world and have just signed up for the Cricut Access membership for free.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Cut N Make Crafts is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Tea towels make such awesome gifts especially when they are personalized using the iron-on/HTV vinyl. Vinyl has made customizing and creating quirky unique gifts so much more easier these days. Plus, if you have the EasyPress, the task becomes extremely simple and quick.

You can buy tea towels in bulk from this link and customize them to give as gifts to all your friends and family members.

For this tutorial, it’s best to use the Cricut EasyPress instead of an iron as an EasyPress makes things much easier. It just takes a couple of seconds to adhere the HTV to the fabric when using the EasyPress as opposed to the everyday iron. I used iron for a couple of iron-on projects and trust me, it was one of the most tiring crafts I ever did. I had to spend a good 30 minutes trying to perfectly adhere the vinyl to the fabric. But with an EasyPress it just takes a couple of seconds to accomplish this task.

Table of Contents

Tips for Perfect Iron-on Cricut Project

Before we begin this iron-on Cricut project, let’s have a look at some amazing tips that can help you in making your project PERFECT the first time and the rest of the times. To ensure your iron-on Cricut project turns out perfect, make sure you’re using the correct vinyl and the settings recommended for it. Usually the perfect settings for the particular vinyl is included in the packaging instructions, so be sure to have a look at that.

If you’re new to the vinyl world and are confused with all the vinyl types out there, be sure to check out my vinyl guide: Different Types of Vinyl and How to Use Them.

Secondly, if you’re a beginner, start with the easiest vinyl to work with which is the Cricut Everyday Iron-on Vinyl. It’s the simplest and the easiest to work with and the results you get will make you fall in love with this craft.

Let’s have a look at all the supplies now.

Supplies Needed for DIY Custom Tea Towel

-Cricut Design Space Floral and Leaf Image #M14791A14
–Tea Towel
-Cricut Joy with Fine Point Blade
–Everyday Iron On Vinyl, Raspberry
–Cricut Joy Standard Grip Mat
-Weeding Tool
-Scissors
–EasyPress Mini
–EasyPress Mat or Towel

Pre-Work:

Prewash and dry the tea towel. Iron out all wrinkles and creases.

Preparing the Image:

Open Cricut Design Space.
Click on the “+” sign to start a new project, opening up a blank canvas.
Click on the Images button from the toolbar.
Search Floral and Leaf Image #M14791A14 and then click on the image to insert it on the canvas.
Adjust the size by highlighting the image and clicking on the size box in the top toolbar. Change the measurement to 4.25” high by 4.376” wide.

Cutting the Iron-On Vinyl:

Select “Make It” in the upper right corner to proceed with cutting.
Choose “With Mat” unless you are using a non Cricut Joy Smart Vinyl.
Click the “Mirror” toggle button to on. This is necessary for ALL iron on vinyl cuts.
Cut the Everyday Iron-On Vinyl width to 4.5” to fit on the Cricut Joy grip mat. Press continue.
Choose Everyday Iron-On Vinyl from the list of options in the drop down menu.
Place the Iron-On vinyl directly onto the standard grip Cricut mat with the SHINY SIDE DOWN.
Following the instructions prompted on the screen, cut out the vinyl.

Preparing the Cut Image:

Remove the Everyday Iron-On Vinyl from the mat.
Cut around the image and put aside the left over vinyl for another project.
Using a weeding tool, peel away the excess vinyl leaving only the floral image.

Applying the Image with the Cricut EasyPress Mini:

Position the mat or a towel on a flat surface.
Set the temperature and time on the machine following the chart for the type of vinyl and material being used or use this EasyPress Interactive Quick Reference Guide.
For a 100% Cotton apron and Everyday Iron-On Vinyl, set the EasyPress Mini to medium heat.
Determine where you will be placing the image and preheat the tea towel in that spot for 5 seconds. This will prep the fabric for the vinyl, removing all excess moisture as well as help to remove any creases and wrinkles from the fabric.
Place the cut image on to the tea towel with the shiny side up.
Press the image on to the tea towel for 25 seconds, constantly moving EasyPress Mini as you press.
Turn the apron upside down and apply heat for another 15 seconds.
While vinyl is still warm, peel the plastic part of the vinyl off carefully and discard.
Make sure you do not place an iron or the EasyPress Mini directly over the vinyl without the protective plastic cover.