Good morning friends! The holidays are around the corner and I’m trying to get a heads start with handmade gifts. Today, I’m going to share how I created this gift bag using sublimation ink and the TCW 997 Holly Cardinal Stencil.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PXL_20221005_000543022-1024x1024.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
Disclaimer: “The Crafter’s Workshop provided me with product to create this project. The opinions I share are solely my own.”
First, I traced the bag onto regular copy paper using a pencil so that I knew how much space I had to work with.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PXL_20220922_232654662-1024x768.jpeg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
Next, I used a light tack tape to tape down the stencil to prevent the stencil from moving.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PXL_20220922_232730173-1024x1024.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
Then, I used a blending brush to blend the sublimation ink though the stencil. I used a different brush for each color to prevent the colors from getting muddy.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PXL_20220922_233830002-1024x1024.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PXL_20220922_234050932-1024x768.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
I must admit, seeing this image take form during the ink blending process made me happy! It’s so beautiful.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PXL_20220922_234111286-1024x1024.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
I mean…look at that image. Just wait until you see how I managed to transfer this image to fabric… Before I prepared this for the heat press, I covered any little mistakes using heat tape. By doing this, the ink will not transfer to the sublimation bag.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PXL_20220922_234148782-1024x1024.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
After that, I taped the sublimation bag over the image using heat tape.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PXL_20220922_234517458-1024x768.jpeg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
Next, I placed protective paper at the top and bottom of the project. Then, I set the heat press for 45 seconds at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PXL_20220922_2241533582-1024x1024.jpeg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
I gave the heat press enough time to get hot and then I placed the project in the heat press with the image faced up.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PXL_20220922_234615344-768x1024.jpeg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
I used heat gloves to remove the project from the heat press and let it cool down for a few minutes. I used fabric-tac glue to glue a few pearls in the center of the snowflakes. What do you think? Isn’t this beautiful?!
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PXL_20221005_000448537.MP_-1024x1024.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PXL_20221005_000543022-1-1024x1024.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
I hope I inspired you today! Thank you so much for taking a few minutes of you time to visit us. We appreciate it!
Nicole Martel, Design Team Member