Sublimation crafting offers endless possibilities, and today, I’m excited to share a simple yet practical project—creating a custom felt sleeve for your ruler. This Felt Ruler Cover not only adds a personal touch but also protects your projects from scratches. Plus, it’s super easy to make! Let’s get started!
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How to Make a Custom Felt Ruler Cover Using Sublimation
In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through the entire process, from designing your felt sleeve to sublimating and sewing it together. Whether you’re an experienced crafter or just starting, this project is perfect for anyone looking to explore the world of sublimation on felt.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Sublimation Printer
- 12 x 4 inch sublimation design (designed in Canva or any other design software)
- 100% polyester felt (I used Creatology felt from Michaels)
- A-Sub Sublimation Paper (8.5 x 14 inches)
- Cricut Auto Press or any heat press (set to 400°F)
- Butcher paper (for protection during pressing)
- Heat-resistant tape
- Fabric glue or a sewing machine (for assembling the sleeve)
- Chopstick or similar tool (for turning the sleeve inside out)
- Scissors or a rotary cutter (for trimming excess felt)
I created a step by step tutorial to walk you through the process, check it out below:
Step 1: Design Your Felt Sleeve
The first step in creating your custom felt sleeve is to design the artwork. I used Canva, a user-friendly design platform, to create a 12 x 4-inch design. This size is perfect because it maximizes the width of the felt sheet, which is typically 12 inches wide.
To create your design:
- Open Canva or your preferred design software.
- Set the dimensions to 12 inches by 4 inches.
- Get creative with your design! Add patterns, text, or images that reflect your personal style.
- Once you’re satisfied with your design, save it as a high-resolution PNG or PDF file.
Step 2: Print Your Design
Next, you’ll need to print your design onto sublimation paper. I used A-Sub paper, which is my go-to for sublimation projects.
- Load your A-Sub paper into your sublimation printer, making sure the print side is facing up.
- Print your design. Ensure that your printer settings are optimized for sublimation printing, with mirror image and high-quality output selected.
Step 3: Prepare the Felt for Sublimation
Now it’s time to transfer your design onto the felt. I used Creatology felt from Michaels, which is 100% polyester—perfect for sublimation.
- Place the smoother side of the felt onto your printed design, ensuring that it’s aligned correctly.
- Leave a slight overlap on one side for a seam allowance. This will make stitching easier later on.
- Secure the felt in place using heat-resistant tape.
Step 4: Heat Press the Felt
To transfer the design, you’ll need to use a heat press. I used my Cricut Auto Press, but any heat press will work as long as it can reach 400°F.
- Preheat your heat press to 400°F.
- Protect your press pad and heat plate by creating a “butcher paper sandwich.” Place butcher paper on the press pad, then add your felt (with the sublimation paper on top), and cover with another sheet of butcher paper.
- Once the press is at the correct temperature, place the felt and design face down on the press.
- Close the press and apply firm pressure for 60 seconds.
Step 5: Trim the Felt
After pressing, carefully remove the felt from the heat press. You should see your design vividly transferred onto the felt.
- Allow the felt to cool for a few minutes.
- Use scissors or a rotary cutter to trim off any excess felt, especially around the edges where the design might not have transferred fully.
Step 6: Assemble the Sleeve
Now that your design is sublimated onto the felt, it’s time to assemble the sleeve. You have two options here: fabric glue or sewing.
Option 1: Fabric Glue
- If you’re not comfortable with sewing, fabric glue is a great alternative.
- Apply a thin line of fabric glue along the edges of the felt.
- Press the edges together, ensuring they stick firmly.
- Allow the glue to dry completely before turning the sleeve inside out.
Option 2: Sewing
- For a more durable finish, I recommend sewing the sleeve.
- Set up your sewing machine. I used the HTVRONT sewing machine, which works for small craft projects.
- Use a straight stitch setting and sew along the edges of the felt, leaving one side open for turning the sleeve inside out.
- Trim any excess thread after sewing.
Step 7: Turn the Sleeve Inside Out
Once you’ve assembled the sleeve, it’s time to turn it inside out to reveal your design.
- Use a chopstick or a similar tool to push the fabric through the opening.
- Carefully pull the felt out on the other side, ensuring that the seams stay intact.
- Flatten the sleeve with your hands, smoothing out any wrinkles.
Step 8: Add the Final Touches
Now that your sleeve is assembled and turned inside out, it’s ready for use!
- If you’d like, you can add branding or a personal touch by sewing or gluing a small label onto the sleeve.
- Insert your ruler into the sleeve, and you’re done!
Why Use a Felt Sleeve?
You might wonder why I chose felt for this project. The reason is simple—felt is soft and won’t scratch delicate surfaces, like laminated stickers. The felt sleeve acts as a barrier, allowing you to apply laminate sheets to stickers without worrying about scratches or air bubbles.
Using the Felt Sleeve
Here’s how I use the felt sleeve with my ruler:
- Start by peeling back a small section of the laminate backing.
- Place the edge of the laminate onto the sticker paper.
- With the ruler inside the felt sleeve, use it to smooth out the laminate as you apply it to the sticker paper.
- The felt sleeve helps prevents any air bubbles from forming, ensuring a smooth finish every time.
And there you have it—a custom felt sleeve that’s not only functional but also a great way to personalize your crafting tools. Whether you choose to sew or glue, this project is quick and easy, making it perfect for crafters of all skill levels. Plus, with the ability to sublimate onto polyester felt, the design possibilities are endless.
I hope you found this tutorial helpful and inspiring. If you try this project, I’d love to see your creations! Feel free to tag me on social media @michellespartyplanit. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!
Do you like this idea but don’t have a sublimation printer or sewing machine? I have a limited number of sleeves available in my ETSY Shop!
Happy crafting!
Need more felt sublimation ideas? Check these out…
How to Sublimate a Felt Pillow with Cricut
ow to Sublimate Felt Car Air Fresheners
How to Sublimate Felt Keychains
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