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Fabric scrap matching game – with Cricut Iron-On

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I was invited to participate in the Cricut Sewing Blogger Program Kickoff. This experience is based strictly on my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. I was provided the sample free of charge by the company or PR agency and I have given my honest opinion. This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

How to make a fabric scrap matching game - upcycled jean scraps make for a fun memory game and a Cricut cuts out iron-on designs super easily. Tutorial for how to make the simple matching game and links to the project on Cricut Design Space.

I know not everyone keeps upcycle fabric scraps, but I try to use up every last bit of a garment. With a little help from Cricut, I’m sharing how to make a fabric scrap matching game from upcycled jeans (also check out 45+ ways to use up old jeans)! My kids are currently crazy about dinosaurs, but it would be simple to tailor this to any other animal, cartoon character, or even basic shapes. This is an easy handmade game tutorial that you can tuck in in your suitcase for a summer vacation or save it for when winter has you snowed in. Right now we have 100+ temperatures, so this game was a welcome distraction to stay inside and play!

When Cricut invited me to join in this blog tour, I had reservations. 5 years ago, my husband gifted me a (different brand) digital cutting machine and I was so excited… until I tried it. I consider myself relatively tech-savvy but I could not get that darn thing to do what I wanted. It has long-since been a sore spot that I hated, and eventually sold, his gift but I decided to risk it. My experience with the Cricut Explore Air 2 couldn’t be any different! Set-up time until I was actually making this project was maybe 30 minutes tops, no video tutorials or Googling required. It all looks super professional, and there is no way I could’ve done this level of detail with my usual freezer paper trick. Update: I now own a Cricut machine that could cut the square, too, see my honest review of the Cricut Maker here!

Look how sharp those edges are! Unwrapping the glitter, I was braced for the worst, but it didn’t shed at all. I let my kids pick the colors and they went for a fun pink glitter and pretty metallic blush pink. It’s tricky to capture the metallic sheen on camera, but it is iridescent. The Cricut Explore Air 2 also cuts fabric (bonded, with a fusible interfacing) and I can’t wait to try that feature out too!
My son is 4.5 and quickly started rattling off what each dinosaur species was – another fun idea would be matching up dinosaur figurines with their silhouettes! He loves his dinosaur shirt that I made too, see that free dinosaur applique pattern here!
I made a set of 16, which turned out to be the perfect number to include my 2.5 year old and my 4.5 year old. Quick to set up, quick to play, then they stacked them up and stuck them in magnatile-made cars. Kids.
She was so excited to have found her first match! I can’t get over how professional the decals look.
This would be a great gift idea too – easy to personalize! I used a random fabric drawstring bag to store them, I have bunches from every jersey sheet set I buy to use as fabric. Layering the vinyl was super easy, I just followed the instructions for applying each layer and made sure to let it cool in between colors. You can see the other upcycled jean game it will be joining in our closet, in this post.

How to make a fabric scrap memory game

Supplies

Steps

1- Set up your designs in Design Space! I cut my jean squares to 3.5″ and it shows you the measurement of each design if you click on them, so I adjusted accordingly depending on the dinosaur, so they would fit. Once you have things the size you want, click the green ‘make it’ button. This Cricut model has bluetooth, so I set that up and skipped the cords. One of my favorite features was that it lets you switch what size iron-on you’re cutting out of, reconfiguring the designs so they all fit, automatically (as seen above).

2-Load your iron-on, shiny liner down, and follow the on-screen instructions to cut. I REALLY love that it has a warning about “mirroring” text so it applies correctly, with an easy toggle switch before you cut. There is a simple dial to select what material you are using, no special blades to switch out or measurements to remember. Super easy.

3- Unload the design and “weed” the vinyl from around the design you cut. I used the special tools they sent to pick out the smallest bit, or I heard you can use washi/packing tape to get the tiny bits easily.

4- Place the iron-on face down on the drawstring bag, put a pressing cloth (white cotton fabric will work just fine) down, and hold according to the directions. Let it cool off, peel, put other layers on top. Repeat for your other designs, making the bag (my project on Design Space here)

5-Cut 3.5″ squares (32 of them, for my version) out of the jeans, apply your dinosaur silhouettes as in step 4, and then sew with a blank square wrong sides together, with 1/4″ seam allowance. If you want stiffer “pieces”, you could insert fusible interfacing in between the layers but I liked them floppier for packing purposes. Trim the edges with pinking shears and you’re done! The pinking shears creates tiny little on-the-bias angles so the edges don’t fray and ruin all your hard work. I prefer this method for denim because it keeps the seams from getting really thick!

You’re done! I can’t stop thinking about all the sewing projects I could make with my new Cricut.

How to make a fabric scrap matching game - upcycled jean scraps make for a fun memory game and a Cricut cuts out iron-on designs super easily. Tutorial for how to make the simple matching game and links to the project on Cricut Design Space.

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susan a perry

Monday 19th of December 2022

THe links arent working. Where can I get these SVG's?

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Sunday 8th of January 2023

Shoot Susan I'm so sorry! The shop I bought them from seems to have closed down :(

Heather Luckhurst

Wednesday 2nd of August 2017

This looks so fun and what a great way to use the fabric scraps we all have!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Monday 14th of August 2017

Thanks Heather!

Amaia

Friday 28th of July 2017

I have been wanting one of those for a long time and had some fears about how difficult it would be to finally use it but it seams that it is much more easy than what I thought. And you can create so many cute and unique things with it! Love your memory game, such a great gift idea and so simple to make!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Monday 14th of August 2017

Thanks Amaia! I can only speak for this version, not having tried the older/other brands, but it so simple :)

Cassy

Thursday 27th of July 2017

I LOVE this idea. So good for a handmade gift. Plus if a "card" is lost you can make another!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Monday 14th of August 2017

That's a great point, I hadn't thought of that! Missing game pieces are the WORST :P

Pattymac

Thursday 27th of July 2017

What a fun summer project! I am so intrigued by these Cricuts and happily entered the contest! I definitely need yet another crafting hobby, so fingers crossed. Thanks for sharing!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Monday 14th of August 2017

It cuts felt, which I know you're recently a fan of :) Thanks!!

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