If you’re wondering how to cut Cut Faux Leather, Glitter Fabric, and Jelly Sheets with your Silhouette Cameo 3 then look no further. I’ve recently started to make some bows for my girls with faux leather and after some trial and error have figured out the cut settings that work best for me. There are several different types of faux leather with some being thicker, some more fabric-like, and some being plastic. The cut settings are pretty much the same for all the materials, but for the thicker fabrics, you’ll want to do several cuts. Here I’ll explain the different types of faux leather I’ve used and how I was able to cut them easily with my Cameo 3.
Before cutting you should always do a test cut to make sure the settings work for your material. I suggest using a new mat and blade when you start cutting these materials and labeling and saving that mat and blade to only cut faux leather, jelly, and glitter sheets.
Jelly Sheets
Jelly sheets have been the easiest for me to cut so far. The jelly sheets are a plastic-like material and I thought they would be difficult to cut, but they were super easy. The settings I used for cutting jelly sheets for jelly bows was:
Material: Stencil Blade: 2 for the first 2 passes and then Blade 4. Force 33. Double Cut.
How to cut it: Once you’re ready to cut your jelly bows you’ll go to the send menu in your SIL software and put in the settings above. You’ll do a double cut with a blade depth of 2. Once that stops DO NOT unload the jelly sheet. Pop open the blade compartment and change the blade to a 4 and then hit send again. Once it’s done you can unload and assemble. I’ve found the best glue to use on jelly bows is e6000 or Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue. Superglue will not work since jelly material is plastic and super glue has a hard time sticking to it. (These glues can be stinky so make sure to use them in a well-ventilated area. A face mask doesn’t hurt either.)
Faux Leather and Fabric Sheets
When it comes to the faux leather and fabric sheets I’ve come across a few different types. Some of them have a very sturdy back, which makes them easy to cut, but some are fabric and they’re a bit more of a struggle to cut. With the fabric ones, they tend to slide a lot, so masking tape will be your best friend.
Cutting thicker faux leather. Material: Faux Leather Paper. Blade: 10. Force 22. Double Cut. You can tape this down to the mat if you want, but I put the pattern side down and with a sticky mat I haven’t had issues with the material moving. For thinner faux leather you can take the double cut off.
Cutting Fabric Sheets. Material: Fabric Thick (Canvas). Blade: 5. Force 22. Double Cut. You should tape this down to the mat. I place the pattern side down and then tape along the edges of my fabric and mat. Don’t worry, if you get masking tape on the cutting area the blade will cut through it and you can peel it off when it’s finished.
I have found that good quality hot glue, like Gorilla Hot Glue, works good for the faux leather and fabric sheets. I’d also suggest using fabric hot glue or e6000.
Glitter Fabric Sheets
For chunky glitter: I haven’t been able to get my cameo to cut through it. It’s VERY thick so I have to cut them by hand and even with sharp scissors it was a little bit difficult. If someone finds a method that works with the cameo 3 I would love to hear it.
Fine Glitter Sheets. Material: Fabric Thick (Canvas). Blade: 5. Force 22. Double Cut. You should tape this down to the mat. I place the pattern side down and then tape along the edges of my fabric and mat. Don’t worry, if you get masking tape on the cutting area the blade will cut through it and you can peel it off when it’s finished.
Ashley
Tuesday 30th of March 2021
I used a ratchet blade 10, force 33, speed 1, 3 passes AND I taped my chunky glitter down upside down and it cuts!
Alison
Saturday 1st of August 2020
I am also trying to make jelly earrings with my Cameo 4. I have tried for days on end. I am so frustrated. Unfortunately I can find no advice ANYWHERE for settings on the Cameo 4. Do you have any tips? Thanks!
Jamie
Sunday 2nd of August 2020
I haven't used the Cameo 4, so I am not sure. There is a great FB group called Silhouette Design and Inspiration (or something similar). Join that and ask! They should be able to help you.
Caroline
Friday 26th of June 2020
Any luck with the chunky glitter since this was published? I'm struggling with them as well! Love the idea of cutting the patterned side down, I never would have thought of that ! Definitely trying it on my next project! Thanks!
Jamie
Sunday 28th of June 2020
I haven't had any luck. :(
Alisha
Thursday 11th of June 2020
What kind of blade are you using to cut the faux leather? Does a deep cut blade work best?
Jamie
Sunday 14th of June 2020
I used the premium blade. I didn't try it with the deep cut blade, so I'm not sure how it would work. https://amzn.to/37tbMva
MyKin Bernardi
Thursday 10th of October 2019
Thank you for this information! Where did you purchase your leather sheets? I am attempting earrings😉
Jamie
Thursday 10th of October 2019
Hi - I purchase my sheets from Pretty in Pink Supply.