Kids gladly wear t-shirts everyday to school. Luckily that saves you money when shopping for school clothes since tees are way cheaper than button-ups. Now you can turn a plain t-shirt into something spectacular with this DIY Nerds Rule t-shirt Cricut craft!

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[bctt tweet=”Even a basic version of a Cricut Cutting machine is capable of a lot more than paper. This DIY nerds rule t-shirt is totally proof of that!” username=”diyadulation”]

A few weeks ago I took all 3 kids to their eye appointments and found out that all 3 of them need glasses this year. What?! I mean, at least they’re doing something together but dang, that’s crazy!

While picking out glasses my oldest picked up this pair of black frames and was crazy excited about how they made him look like a nerd. Basically, if there was ever any doubt that he was mine, it’s definitely gone now.

I thought new “nerdy” glasses needed a super sweet new shirt to go with them. This month’s Bring on the Crafts challenge was the perfect reason to try something totally new like iron-on vinyl.

DIY Nerds Rule T-shirt Materials

• Cricut Cutting Machine
• Create a Friend Cricut Cartridge
• Universal Buttons Cover
• Iron-On Vinyl in Red and Navy Blue (This set has both)
• Cutting Mat
• Scissors
• Cricut EasyPress or Iron
• Grey Child’s T-Shirt

Step 1

First, put a piece of red vinyl on your cutting mat with the shiny side down. You don’t need a large piece because you are only cutting one word from it.

Step 2

Then prep your Cricut with the cartridge and the universal button cover. Set your pressure to medium and adjust the size to 6 inches.

Step 3

Next, load your cutting mat with the red vinyl on it and press the “FLIP” button on your machine.

Step 4

Now cut out the word “Rule”.

Note:

• Make sure the image preview is flipped. If it’s not, the button isn’t pushed and your word will be backwards on your shirt.

Step 5

Remove the vinyl from the cutting mat. The blade should not have cut through the plastic cover on the vinyl.

Step 6

Cut around your design in a rectangle then weed (or remove) all of the negative design parts so that only your backwards word is left.

Step 7

Set your weeded design to the side and place the navy blue vinyl on your cutting mat. This one needs to be bigger because you are cutting 2 designs in it.

Step 8

Again, make sure the “FLIP” button is pressed on your machine and cut the word “Nerds” in the navy blue vinyl.

Step 9

Before cutting your second design, change the size to 8 inches. Then cut the glasses and tie design from your navy blue vinyl.

Step 10

Next, remove your cut vinyl from the mat and then cut around your designs.

Step 11

Again, weed the designs so that only the word “Nerds” and the glasses are left.

Step 12

Now pull out your t-shirt and warm up your EasyPress to 340° Fahrenheit.

Step 13

Place your shirt on a heat-safe surface like an ironing board.

Step 14

Once your EasyPress is heated, press the area of your shirt where the design will go.

Step 15

Then line up your design on your shirt. Make sure none of the design overlaps the plastic from another part otherwise your design will stick to the plastic instead of your shirt.

Step 16

Next, cover the design with a piece of cloth to protect your shirt from the heat. I used a second t-shirt but you can also use a towel or cotton napkin too.

Step 17

Press your design for 30 seconds.

Step 18

Then flip your shirt over and press the design from the back for another 30 seconds.

Step 19

Allow your design to cool completely.

Step 20

Lastly, carefully peel off your plastic leaving only your design on the shirt.

I know I’m late to the game but I hadn’t done anything with vinyl yet. I have only used my Cricut for scrapbooking but I know that even my basic version is capable of a lot more. This DIY nerds rule t-shirt is totally proof of that. Even better, my little man loves it and I think it’s the perfect shirt for my super awesome nerd!

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Bring on the Crafts – A Craft & DIY Blog Hop

On the first Friday through Sunday of each month, a group of DIY and crafty bloggers join forces to create a fun craft or DIY project to share that follows a monthly materials theme. Together, with hosts Marie from Elle Marie Home and Habiba from Craftify My Love, they share the #BringontheCrafts blog hop with you. August’s theme is Cutting Machines! Each blogger chooses their own craft to make as long as they love it and it uses a Cutting Machine for the project.

Our August Co-hosts

Jenny at Cookies, Coffee and Crafts • Kim at Day to Day Adventures
Marie at DIY Adulation • Janet at Try It – Like It • Beverly at Across the Blvd

Join in on the fun! If you’d like to participate next month, you can request to join our Bring on the Crafts Facebook Group. Next month’s theme is Wood!

Not a blogger, but a creative mind none the less!? Don’t worry, Share your awesome creations in our Craft Cult Facebook Group. This is also a great place to ask craft & DIY related questions and find inspiration for your next project.

Now let’s see all of those amazing Craft and DIY Projects!