DIY Party Sashes take any special event to the next level

Making party sashes is a fun and creative way to add a special touch to any celebration, whether it’s a sweet 16, baby shower, Quinceañera, bridal shower, birthday party and more.

With the help of a cutting machine like Cricut, you can easily create custom sashes in any color, design, and size you want.

In this blog post, I’ll go over the basics of making party sashes with a cutting machine, show you what supplies you need and what designs I have available.

(This post contains affiliate links – I will earn a small commission if you click and purchase but your price remains the same)

PARTY SASH SUPPLIES

Step 1: Choose your Sash Materials

The first step in making a party sash is to decide on the material. 4″ wide satin ribbon is common but you can also use other ribbon or make a sash out of fabric. If you are going to hold the sash together with a pin, velcro dots or other adhesive, 60-70″ long is a common length but adjust as needed if you know the size of the person who will wear it. Add an extra 20 inches or more if you want to tie the sash together.

Step 2: Choose a Party Sash Themed Bundle

I’ve created sash designs for lots of occasions and if you want one you don’t see, please leave a comment or reach out directly.

All of my bundles come with at least 5 options – some with several wording options, others with a variety of fonts for the same text. I’ve taken time creating these to cut smoothly and size well for a 4″ wide sash so you don’t have to – get to the fun part of creating!

Step 3: Set Up Your Files in your Cutting Machine

Each design comes in layers to give you flexibility for cutting and for using multiple colors if desired. No individual word is longer than 12″ so you can easily cut it on a standard mat and it won’t be hard to piece together on the sash.

The video below shows you how to set up your files in Cricut Design Space.

If you have another cutting machine use the same concept in your machine’s software.

SHORTCUTS TO SPECIFIC TOPICS:

00:00 introduction
00:09 Set up file in Cricut
02:47 Mirror Text before cutting HTV
03:20 Put HTV on mat SHINY SIDE DOWN
03:51 Load Cricut
04:12 Weeding HTV Tips
05:49 Cut words apart

06:25 Trim plastic layer
06:57 Prep Sash Ribbon
07:56 Placing text on ribbon
09:05 Determine heat press setting
10:07 Heat Press text to ribbon
13:06 Finishing ends of ribbon

Step 4: Cut your heat transfer vinyl

Once you’ve designed your sash, you’ll need to cut it out of heat transfer vinyl. Be sure to MIRROR (or flip) the text so it looks backwards before cutting.(fig. 1)

Place the HTV on your cutting mat with the shiniest side down. (Think of the shiny side as built-in transfer tape for HTV.)

After you’ve cut your design, weed the excess vinyl and get ready to put it on the sash. (fig. 2)

reverse text before cutting heat transfer vinyl

figure 1

figure 2

Step 5: Prepare the Sash

Fold your sash in half. The center will be on top of the shoulder. Starting 4-5″ from the fold, begin placing your HTV on the sash. (fig. 3)

Trim any plastic backing to ensure all the vinyl is touching the sash and not layered onto the backing of another piece of text. (fig. 4)

Finish the ends of the sash. You can leave the fabric or ribbon with a straight cut or fold in half and cut at an angle to make a fancier end.

If your fabric or ribbon will fray, apply a small amount of clear nail polish or fray-check. (fig. 5)

apply heat transfer vinyl to ribbon for mom-to-be Party Sash

figure 3

cut protective plastic before applying htv

figure 4

apply clear polish to prevent ribbon from fraying

figure 5

Step 6: Check the Heat Settings before using your Heat Press

Always double check the manufacturer’s instructions for heat and pressing time before doing a new project.

If you use a Cricut Heat Press, go to Cricut.com/heatguide. I use synthetic ribbon so I chose “Neoprene” as my material – it seemed the closest to the material I used.

You don’t want to use too high a heat or it can melt the material. So for my mom-to-be sash I set my Cricut EasyPress 2 to 280 degrees and will press for 20 seconds. (fig. 6)

figure 6

Step 7: Press the HTV onto the Sash

For synthetic or delicate materials it’s also important to add a layer of protection (a teflon sheet or parchment paper) – even if you aren’t layering different colors of vinyl – so you don’t melt or warp the fabric / ribbon. (fig. 7)

Place the fabric / ribbon on an ironing board or a pressing mat (I prefer a pressing mat on a hard surface for better and more even pressure.)

Speaking of pressure – if you’ve ever had trouble getting HTV to “stick”, it’s likely that you didn’t press down much if at all. You need to press down the whole time you are applying heat to each section – put a little muscle into it! (fig. 8) (A friend discovered this was her issue and is now as in love with HTV as I am!)

Don’t slide your press like you are ironing but put it down, press, lift and them move to the next section. That will prevent and warping or sliding of your HTV.

Use teflon sheets to protect synthetic ribbon from heat press

figure 7

figure 8

Step 8: Remove the HTV Plastic Backing

Follow the directions from your heat press and vinyl regarding removing backing when warm or cool to the touch. (fig. 9)

removing protective layer from htv vinyl - Party Sash diy

figure 9

Party sashes are much easier to make than most people think – but I won’t tell! You can wow your family, friends or party guests by making a sash for the next big event.

If you make any party sashes from my designs and post on social media, be sure to tag me – I love seeing what people create.

Happy crafting and have a wonderful celebration!

✂️ 🥳 Tara Reed

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How to Make DIY Party Sashes with a Cutting Machine