Today I have three of my best tips for creating perfectly sized and proportioned designs in your Silhouette software.
I know this sounds like it shouldn’t be that hard, but you’d be surprised. And the last thing you want to do is spend the time (and money on supplies!) cutting your pieces, only to find that they don’t fit the space.
Take a peek below and I promise next time you cut a design, you’ll be a lot more confident that it’s the right size!
Enjoy,
Nikki, In Stitches
Three Tips For Creating Perfectly Sized and Proportioned Designs In Your Silhouette Software
1. Always adjust the size of your page to the size of the project you’re working on. Right off the bat, this gives you an idea of how well your design fills the space! To adjust the page size, click “Open The Page Tools Window” from the top right nav bar, and enter into the height and width boxes the exact size of your piece. (NOTE: You may need to adjust this after you’ve completed the design process and begin to actually cut your pieces!)
2. Fill your pieces! After I “think” I have everything exactly as I’d like it, I fill the pieces in with the colors that most closely match to what I’ll be cutting them in. So many times I’ve done this and realized things need to be changed! To fill your design, click the “Open The Fill Color” button from the top right nav bar. Select a piece of your design so that the sizing box appears around it. Then, in the right sidebar, click the color you’d like to fill it with.
3. Print your design on copy paper and actually place it on your project. This is one last check to make sure the size and proportion work! To print your design simply click “Send to Printer” from the top left nav bar and follow the prompts!
I am most thankful for my 3 year old son, and the fact that I’m being blessed with another beautiful child later this year!
I am thankful for my son. I am a new mother and nothing has brought more joy to my life than him. As a single mom it can get really hard but I love him with every part of me. He gives me a whole new out look on life.
I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR THE GIFT OF TIME. I HAVE FOUND THAT IT TRULY IS A GIFT TO BE HELD CLOSE AND TREATED AS A TREASURE. LOSING SOME OF MY ABILITIES THAT I USED TO TAKE FOR GRANTED HAS AWAKENED THIS IN ME.
My crafting resolutions are to first get a silhouette and join the revolution. Second to do more of my own crafting v/s contracting others to do it.
Thank you for Giveaway and thanks a lot for giving us informations and tips! You are so good.
What I will do more in 2014 is … sitting in my work chair and being creative! Oh I need it!!! And with new toy like Silhoutte Portrait must be GREAT 😉 xoxoxoxo Dian
My resolutions are:
1. Improve my project organization.
2. Create a formal documentation of my projects.
3. Enjoy the process.
I am so happy I found your website and Facebook page. It has already helped me learn so much about my cameo. Since I am just starting out I hope to learn all about the different things my cameo can do and make lots of goodies for everyone.
I don’t make resolutions but I do pick a word for the year and this years it 2…Be Creative! Thanks for the chance to win the awesome Sillouette!
Thankful for all the wonderful inspiration I find online and the generous bloggers who share!
Make time for my family
I am most thankful in 2014 for my family. Second would be my crafting family of friends! There is nothing more fun than to sit down with a friend/s and create together.
I’m going to take more risks and try crafts that I used to think were to advanced for me! That’s why winning a cameo would be a huge help in making my resolution come true! Fingers crossed!
My crafting resolution is to learn how to sew! It’s something I’ve always wanted to learn and I’m determined to do so this year!
Happy New Year To you and your family Nikki!!
My crafting resolution is to craft as much as possible!
Too finish at least some of the many many projects I have started!!
I want to paint lot more this year as my resolution.
Also keep up with my art journal.
Love your blog!
I am going to make more time for everyone and everything. Crafting is joy!
TO try and catch up on the projects I have started and then spend more time crafting ad sewing.
I will stay organized and complete at least 2 projects a month.
Live your tips! Thank u
My crafty resolution is to be more crafty! Also, to take my time and not rush, so I don’t have to redo my crafts if I make a mistake.
My two crafting resolutions are to put together the quilt kit I bought in October and to finish my subway art signs I started in November. I’d love to win the Silhouette Portrait! Thanks for the chance!
I have many crafty resolutions this year! I’d love to add the Silhouette to my repertoire of gadgets and gizmos and see what it has to offer! Mostly I’d like to try to build up an inventory of items for my store and attend my first craft show as a vendor. 🙂
I want to craft more often this year.
I am fairly new using the Silhouette and have figured most stuff out by trail and error…actually lots of error. Glad to read the tips on sizing and very excited to see the code for 30% off to Silhouette. I have been needing to order some things and this is the perfect opportunity. Looking forward to more tips.
Hi Nikki, resolution is to be a better person and spend more time with my family. God bless
#1 Goal: Get more done!! #2 Continue teaching the little girl next door crafts (already does cross stitch – learned when she was 5; and now teaching her knitting, then crocheting).
Goal 1 Learn more about my serger and use it!
Goal 2 learn to cut fabric with my Silhouette!
I’d like to learn how to use the silhouette family of machines this year. I’m waiting for your introductory class before deciding which model to get! Should be exciting!
My crafty resolutions:
1) Learn to knit
2) Actually make some of the awesome things I’m always pinning on Pinterest (and step out of my comfort zone of crafting).
Thanks for the giveaway!
My crafting goal for 2014 is just to do more crafting and stop making excuses! The end product always makes me happy!
My goals this year are: 1. to re-organize my crafting area; 2. Finish projects even if I don’t like how they are turning out.
Don’t really make resolutions (too easily broken) but I want to get more from my spare time and get creative. Thanks for the chance to win this awesome machine.
1. Be more organized
2. Finish unfinished projects
Thanks I did not know you could adjust the page. I will try this soon. 🙂 I love your page.
I want to make more time for my creative outlets: scrapbooking. I love sewing on my pages. A silhouette would be a sweet new tool. Thanks for the chance to win!
My crafty resolutions this year are to finish all my knitting projects and get everyone the socks I promised.
Not big on resolutions… i did resolve to keep up with the checkbook better… so far so good
What are your crafty resolutions for this year?
To stop starting new projects in the middle of other projects! ^^
My crafty resolutions are to start sewing and to start an etsy shop.
My resolution is to finish all of the projects I started last year 🙂
I want to do more crafting in general. Start using up what I have & put my poor sewing machine to use.
Now that I don’t have a job I plan to do more crafts. I would like a Portrait cutting system so I can make one of a kind crafts. I plan to sell as much arts and crafts that I can complete to help support my disabled daughter and I.
My crafty resolutions for the new year are 1. To learn new skills and 2. To use those skills to create things (with the stuff i have apparently hoarded over the years) to give to my family and friends!
My resolution is to finish at least 2 projects from my P.I.P.’s (Projects In Progress). By setting the limit so low, maybe, just maybe, this is one I can actually meet.
My crafting resolution is to spend more time crafting and to learn some new things. I’d like to get better at making cards, too. Thank you for the awesome giveaway!
I want to try a new craft. I am really interested in polymer clay right now.
One of my resolutions is to complete at least one project a month. . . Saving for my cameo as quickly as I can (not quick enough) to help me complete my projects easier & faster!
i plan to get really good at making my little greeting cards!
I hope to finish some of my ufo’s that have been long forgotten. Some of the ‘ufo’s’ unfinished objects or so old they will have to be ripped out as they are no longer suitable. LOL.
Thanks for the chance to enter this contest.
I have vowed to finish my daughters Sound of Music album this year! I am going to a weekend crop in March and would love to have a silhouette to help me complete this project
I would like to get caught up on all of the projects that are piling up in my “play room”. For some reason I like buying the supplies more than I like doing the projects! Maybe I can get one done a month!!
My crafting resolution is to also obtain the Silhouette and craft my little heart out with it!!
My crafting resolution is take more time to enjoy my silhouette and learn how to design using the Designers Software. Wahoo.. I just upgraded!
I want to learn to craft two new things – I was thinking of crocheting and making fabric & ribbon bows
One of my crafty resolutions is to sew more, too! I really want to complete a quilt this year.
Thanks for the chance to win 🙂
I have very much enjoyed my classes with you Nikki. On to great New year of crafting.
I resolve to spend more time crafting with the supplies I have and spend less time shopping and adding to my craft hoard. But it’s so hard when they keep coming out with new and better and prettier stuff all the time! LOL
My crafting resolution is to start crafting! I got a Cameo for Christmas, it’s my first real crafting tool – go big or go home, right?
I have missed sewing with because of moving so many times but I am determined to finish my jean quilts by the Spring {when we move again}.
Mine would be to take more time for “personal” crafting, and to make more homemade cards!
my resolution is to finish making some pillows for my bed and doing some table decorations for my friend’s baby shower.
This year I resolve to finish all the projects I start! Taking your classes has already helped me to work more efficiently and produce better quality work! Love the silhouette and look forward to learning how much more I can do with it!
my resolution is to spend more time doing crafts.
declutter from junk !
I am going to get going and get more pages done to my albums
I am going to win a silhouette from you take your classes and learn to make my pages beautiful and better detail
I’m going to take more chances when I craft. I’m going to start trying out new ideas!!!
I studied art in college but have been too busy this past year to be creative. My crafty resolution is to make time every week for being artsy.
My goal is to do at least one little thing, every day, to make our home a more loving, welcoming place for someone to come and want to stay – and want to come again.
My crafty resolution is to get the photos into an album. My poor 3 year old cries every time the kids get out old albums because he’s not in any.
My crafting resolutions are to branch out and try new medias I’ve never used before. I would love to try my hand at some glass etching as well as making my own cards.
boylaneely at hotmail dot com
My resolution is to enjoy the process and not stress as much about perfection! Thanks for the chance to win this.
I am going to finish the quilt I started before I begin another one.
My resolution is to get more organized. I love making cards and I’d like to make enough to give all my friends my cards for their birthday.
I love your site with all of the tips and ideas that you offer. With all of this snowy weather, it’s great to have new craft ideas to try.
Thanks so much, Lisa!
XOXO