Do your kids drive you crazy? I love my children but for sure, all this “family togetherness” lately is making me a little bonkers! If your kids love to drive mom or dad crazy, you need to make this project. Share the sentiment with this adorable and funny Valentine’s Day Cricut t-shirt design. Even if you’re just a beginner, the finished project will look so professional – perfect for this Valentine’s Day and beyond!
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Valentine’s Day Cricut T-Shirt Design
When I bought my first Cricut machine, I couldn’t wait to design and make my own iron-on t-shirt designs! After I dipped my toes in the Cricut vinyl waters with a few tiny projects, I made several super-fast Valentine’s Day cards on my new Cricut Joy. Feeling confident, I tried my hand at creating my own project in Cricut Design Space! I love how it came out and I’m excited to share it with you.
Yes, I am a complete beginner when it comes to Cricut but I’ve found if you follow directions closely, take your time, and double-check before each step, it all falls into place. Sweet projects, like this Valentine’s Day Cricut t-shirt design can be yours! I’ve included the link to my project in Cricut Design Space so you can recreate it at home.
Cricut Essentials for this Project
If you’re a true beginner at using your Cricut, it’s best to do your research on the many different types of materials that can be used. For this project, we’ll be using iron-on. I used Smart Iron-On in Navy, Red and White, exclusive for use in the Cricut Joy. If you have another type of Cricut machine (Explore Air, Maker), you can use iron-on that’s been applied to a mat.
As a beginner to Cricut, I’ve loved the ease of use with the Cricut Joy Smart products – no mat required! When you’re learning all the tricks and tips, just inserting the product without the extra step of adding to a mat means there’s one less thing to think about.
The other Cricut product I’ve fallen in love with is my EasyPress 2. The heat settings and timer ensure that you’ll be heating your product to appropriate specifications. The Cricut EasyPress iron made this t-shirt project so easy, I can’t wait to make my next design!
Valentine’s Day T-Shirt Supplies List
Here’s the entire supply list you’ll need to recreate the Valentine’s Day Cricut t-shirt design:
- Cotton t-shirt – my daughter’s red shirt came from Primary, my favorite place for kid’s clothing basics. Use the code AFF20PCT for 20% off your first order!
- Cricut machine – I used the Cricut Joy for this project
- Cricut EasyPress
- Ironing mat (place on a sturdy surface to apply even heat, I used the Cricut EasyPress Mat)
- Iron-on materials (to replicate this project, you’ll need navy, white and red)
- Cricut weeding tool
Step by Step Cricut Iron On Instructions
- Pull up the project design of your choice in Cricut Design Space (scroll for project links in last section of this article). Mix and match the colors used for each cut-out based on the t-shirt color you’re using (ie: if you’re using a red t-shirt opt for a navy or white heart; I’d recommend not placing a red heart on a red tee or the design won’t show up as well).
- For the MOM design, I used a red tee, navy heart, with both white and red lettering. For the DAD design, I used a gray raglan style shirt with a red heart, with navy and white lettering. If you use a white t-shirt as a base, either of these design color schemes would work well!
3. If you are a complete Cricut beginner, be sure to read the must-know tips in the section after these instructions, when I go into deeper details.
4. The words “I LOVE” and either “MOM” or “DAD” will print on the same color (show on white below). The words “to drive” and “crazy” will print on the same color (show on red below). Carefully weed out the excess material. Cut out the pieces keeping the individual lines together as shown in the image below (you’ll notice the letters are backwards since I mirrored the layers – they will iron on to read correctly).
5. Iron and warm your t-shirt until all wrinkles are removed.
6. Fold the tee in half to find the center. Press lightly with iron for a crease in the middle. The heart should be centered on this crease, front of the shirt.
7. Press heart, backing side up onto the shirt. Hold with EasyPress for 15 seconds. Carefully remove plastic backing while warm.
T-Shirt Instructions Continued
8. Layer “I LOVE” and either the “MOM” or “DAD” letters on top of the heart. Refer to the original design to see spacing. You’ll want to ensure that “to drive” and “crazy” will fit into the space. I recommend setting all the pieces onto the design, then REMOVE “to drive” and “crazy” (otherwise the backings will overlap when you heat, and this is a no-no!)
9. Press “I LOVE” and either “MOM” or “DAD” lettering onto the shirt. Hold with EasyPress for 15 seconds. Carefully remove plastic backing while warm.
10. Repeat with “to drive” and “crazy”, double-checking that backings are not overlapping. Hold with EasyPress for 30 seconds. Carefully remove plastic backing while warm.
11. Flip shirt over and press again for 15 seconds.
12. Wait a few days before washing this project. Wash t-shirt inside out in cold water and hang to dry.
Beginner’s MUST READ Tips!
If you’re a beginner to using Cricut iron-on like I am, these are the must-know tips before you start. You’ll save yourself time, frustration and avoid product waste by carefully following this advice.
Cricut App – You’ll need to add the Cricut app to your phone/computer. My laptop is an older and doesn’t have Bluetooth technology. While I’m able to create and design the project on my computer, I need to use my smart phone to actually make the project. Follow the steps in the app after you click the MAKE IT button.
Printing the layers – This project uses three different colors, which means that the iron-on is layered on top of each other. You’ll be printing each layer separately inside the Cricut machine, loading each color as the project requests it in the app.
Mirror your design – This is extremely important, in particular when using lettering like this t-shirt project. You’ll need to mirror each and every layer in the project. Forgot to mirror? Your letters are going to be backwards when ironed down! In the app, there’s a simple toggle slide to click on each layer to mirror the images (do each layer).
Must Read Tips for Cutting and Ironing
Shiny side down – When you’re ready to add your Cricut iron-on into the machine, you’ll be feeding the material in shiny side down. This is different than when you use other products!
Weeding all the little bits – Removing the excess material from the backing is called “weeding”. Check and double check that you’ve weeded out all the tiny bits from your lettering (there are some very small pieces in the script). Carefully use the Cricut Weeding Tool and sit in good light to make sure you didn’t miss any spots.
No transfer tape – Unlike vinyl, which requires transfer tape to move images from the backing to the project piece, the Cricut iron-on doesn’t require any tape or transfers (the backing is built in to the material).
Don’t Overlap – Cricut iron-on has a shiny side and a backing side (matte). When you place the project pieces onto the t-shirt, you do not want the backings to overlap each other. As you’ll see in this image, I cut out the pieces to separate the word/lines. I trimmed off the excess backing and made sure that the backings were not touching before I applied heat.
Press Don’t Iron – When using the Cricut EasyPress for iron-on projects, it’s important not to shift or wiggle the heating element. Unlike a traditional iron (which you would move around the fabric to work out wrinkles), you’ll want to apply a firm and steady pressure with the EasyPress. This means you press down, push the timer setting and wait until the time is up before lifting the press.
Cricut Design Space – Get the Project
Once you have the Design Space app added to your device, you’re ready to save this project. Give the project a star to save to your favorites, then click “Make It”. You’ll be able to create your own Valentine’s Day Cricut t-shirt for the kids using my unique design! If you make it, tag me @momrewritten to share.
Looking for More Valentine’s Day With Kids Ideas?
- This Valentine’s Day at home with kids party is a perfect time to wear this new shirt!
- Check out these inexpensive and lovable kid’s Valentine’s Day ideas.
- This Applique Heart Valentine Tee has a (not so) Hidden Mickey!
Valentine's Day Cricut T-Shirt Design
Use my unique design project (found in Cricut Design Space) to create this clever Valentine's Day t-shirt with Cricut iron-on products.
Materials
- Cotton t-shirt
- Iron-on materials (to replicate this project, you’ll need navy, white and red)
Tools
- Cricut machine
- Cricut EasyPress
- Ironing mat, like the Cricut EasyPress Mat
- Cricut weeding tool
Instructions
- Pull up the project design of your choice in Cricut Design Space (refer to article for link). Mix and match the colors used for each cut-out based on the t-shirt color you’re using.
- Carefully weed out the excess material.
- Cut out the pieces keeping the individual lines together ("I LOVE", "to drive", "MOM" or "DAD" and "crazy).
- Iron and warm your t-shirt until all wrinkles are removed.
- Fold the tee in half to find the center. Press lightly with iron for a crease in the middle. The heart should be centered on this crease, front of the shirt.
- Press heart, backing side up onto the shirt. Hold with EasyPress for 15 seconds. Carefully remove plastic backing while warm.
- Layer “I LOVE” and either the “MOM” or “DAD” letters on top of the heart. Refer to the original design to see spacing. You’ll want to ensure that “to drive” and “crazy” will fit into the space.
- Press “I LOVE” and either “MOM” or “DAD” lettering onto the shirt. Hold with EasyPress for 15 seconds. Carefully remove plastic backing while warm.
- Repeat with “to drive” and “crazy”, double-checking that backings are not overlapping. Hold with EasyPress for 30 seconds. Carefully remove plastic backing while warm.
- Flip shirt over and press again for 15 seconds.
- Wait a few days before washing this project. Wash t-shirt inside out in cold water and hang to dry.
Notes
Refer to original article on MomRewritten.com for link to Cricut Design Space project as well as must-read tips for beginners.