Are you thinking about the holiday season yet? I’m still in fall and Halloween mode but I have started a little bit of Christmas crafting. I just finished making these monogrammed placemat stockings made with the Cricut Explore Air 2. Are you surprised to see that you can cut fabric with this machine? If you aren’t familiar with the Explore Air 2, keep reading because I’m sharing this fun and easy project along with a handful of things that I love about the Cricut Explore Air 2. But be warned, by the end of this post you’re going to be adding one to your Christmas wish list {wink}.
The Cricut Explore Air 2 sometimes gets overlooked as the little brother of the Cricut Maker but the capabilities and versatility of the Explore Air 2 make it a really amazing machine. I’ve done some pretty awesome projects with it so, in addition to sharing this placemat stockings project, I want to tell you what I love about this machine.
Five Things I Love About the Cricut Explore Air 2
Like all Cricut machines, the Cricut Explore Air 2 is versatile, which means it won’t limit your ideas.
The Cricut Explore Air 2 can cut wood veneer.
I love thinking outside the box and creating projects with different mediums and the Cricut Explore Air 2 is able to keep up with most of my ideas!
It’s able to cut a hundred different materials. It handles wood veneer without any trouble {check out the wood veneer floral wreath and napkin holders I’ve made} and I’ve even cut thin aluminum cans with my machine.
While I used a regular blade and repeat cuts for these projects, the Cricut Explore Air 2 is compatible with the deep point blade which makes it work well with a variety of materials.
Being able to go beyond cardstock and vinyl makes this machine so useful and allows you to take crafting to the next level.
The Cricut Explore Air 2 flawlessly cuts iron-on materials.
Cricut now has so many different iron-on materials, including holographic, mesh, mosaic, and patterned, and they can all be cut with the Cricut Explore Air 2.
I’ve used my machine to make the cutest on-trend cactus shoes and an adorable sparkle wall hanging for my daughter’s room but the sky’s the limit on what you can do with all these iron-on options.
The Cricut Explore Air 2 can be used with Cricut Infusible Ink.
Infusible Ink, one of the newest items from Cricut, is all the rage right now and you can cut the transfer sheets with this machine. You simply turn the dial to custom setting and select Infusible Ink.
If you haven’t yet tried Infusible Ink, you have to add it to your project list! You can take a peek at the fun mermaid shirt I made and read a tutorial on how to use the product and then start creating!
The Cricut Explore Air 2 can be used with pens.
I’ve said many times that pens are my favorite and I don’t think I’ll be changing my mind any time soon. I love that you can so easily create a perfect tag or even a scrapbook embellishment by designing in Cricut Design Space and using pens to create the project.
I’ve used pens to make a Halloween game, a Halloween gift tag, and a Halloween bucket sign {I told you I was in fall and Halloween crafting mode!} and I’ll be getting them out again soon to make some Christmas gift tags.
If you love paper crafting, you’ll love knowing that the Cricut Explore Air 2 is compatible with the scoring stylus as well.
The Cricut Explore Air 2 cuts bonded fabric.
Everyone knows you can cut fabric with the Cricut Maker but did you know you can also cut bonded fabric with the Explore Air 2? That’s how I made the monograms on these upcycled stockings and made the applique on my home pillow.
How to Make Upcycled Monogrammed Stockings from Placemats
To make these monogrammed stockings, you’ll need placemats {one placemat for each stocking}, cloth napkins if you want to add a cuff, Cricut fabric, and heat and bond.
You can usually find a good selection of inexpensive fabric placemats at big box stores. I couldn’t resist the buffalo check placemats because that trend doesn’t seem to be dying down anytime soon.
You can use fabric scissors to cut or a rotary cutter and self-healing mat.
Find a stocking shape template online {there are thousands to choose from if you look in google images} and print it out on a regular sized piece of paper.
Fold a placemat in half along the long edge, lay the template over top with the top of the template lined up with the hemmed edge of the placemat, and cut out the stocking shape.
If desired, cut a piece of cloth napkin for the cuff of the stocking. I only added the cuff on the front and just pinned the piece of napkin in between the two stocking pieces before sewing.
With right sides together, stitch along the edge of the stocking and then turn it right outside out or, alternatively, place the wrong sides together and stitch or serge alongside the edge then leave the stitching showing as a decorative feature.
Once you have the stocking prepared, you’re ready to create the monogram to go on the front. Using a font you like {birthday bash is my go-to font}, create initials in Cricut Design Space and size them to fit the stocking.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use an iron or EasyPress machine to apply heat and bond to the back of the fabric. Peel the paper off then place the fabric, right side up, on a pink fabric cutting mat.
Cut the fabric, selecting bonded fabric on the dial.
Use an iron or EasyPress to apply the bonded letter to the front of the stocking. It will adhere easily and you won’t need to stitch it at all.
To finish, glue or stitch little ribbon hangers in the upper corner of the stockings.
These little stockings make great decorations, fun gift ideas for friends {fill them with a few favorite items}, or even fun utensil holders at the Christmas table.
What do you love about the Cricut Explore Air 2?
Are you crafting with your Cricut this holiday season and adding to your Christmas wish list? Be sure to check out this Cricut gift guide for the upcycler!
I have just tried cutting Shrinky Dink paper with my Cricut Explore Air 2. I like making them and put magnets on them for my fridge. I’m still exploring different things I can cut with my machine.