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Crane & Canopy Review – My Designer Bedding Makeover

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I recently got Crane & Canopy bedding. I’ve always wanted some designer bedding to go with my fancy pants sleep number bed. Now, let me share with you my Crane & Canopy review.

Bedroom Makeover with Crane & Canopy

Key Takeaways

I think Crane &Canopy makes great bedding but it’s expensive! Below are my key takeaways if you’re short on time.

  • Great Comforter
  • Perfect weight
  • Fluffy
  • Great features
  • BUT IT IS EXPENSIVE!

If $200+ is too expensive for bedding for you, then I have a great alternative for you that I’ve tried since writing this Crane & Canopy review years ago. The bedding is practically the same quality but for about half the cost.

Check out the Crane & Canopy Bedding alternative below:

View it Here

My Crane & Canopy Story & Review

I LOVE my bed. I know most of us do… but I REALLY LOVE my bed! As much as I love to travel, there is nothing like coming home to my own bed. If you have the right bed, (which I do… it’s a Sleep Number bed) it fits you like a glove and gently soothes you into a deep sleep. As a girl, I used to daydream about my bed (yea, I told you I love my bed). To me, the only way to go is a bed not unlike what you would find in a Swiss chalet (at least the Swiss chalet in my imagination, I’ve never really stayed in said chalet.)

  • Crisp & white.
  • White duvet, filled with a heavenly down comforter.
  • Crisp white sheets & lots and lots of white pillows.

It would be a perfect little white nest. I can just imagine coming home from a day of skiing out in the powdery Swiss snow and jumping into my plush white cloud, snuggling under the covers with my sweetie, and reading a good book… among other things (blush). Really, that was my dream Honeymoon for years… Instead, we went to Vegas. Yea, didn’t really hit the mark on that one.

Not to worry, minus the Swiss Alps and the skiing, I can still have my dream bed!!

For years I have searched for bedding that was just right. I’ve made due for many years because I wanted a certain quality that was just out of my price range. I could have gone to any big box store and purchased the same type of bedding, pretending that I really had the bedding of my dreams. In reality I would have a cheap impostor. The fabric would be rough and the fill would be clumpy and weak. It just wasn’t what I was looking for.

Not too long ago, the folks at Crane & Canopy introduced me to their innovative line of luxury bedding. After a few weeks of taking it for a test drive, I can safely say… From now on, Crane & Canopy is going to be my one-stop shop for affordable designer bedding!

I selected the bedding that was as close to a cloud as I could possibly find… The Valencia White Pintuck Duvet Set.

Crane & Canopy Bedding on WhipperBerry

There are surely some negative reviews about Crane and Canopy online but I really don’t understand them. When you’re sleeping in the clouds like this, what’s not to love?

Now, this bedding has a ton of features that you won’t find at your typical big box store.

Crane & Canopy Bedding

  • 400 thread count
  • 100% cotton sateen
  • The pintucks are sewn to perfection and will not come unpinned even when washing.
  • The duvet cover  has a hidden pocket zipper which makes it so much easier to use. No more clunky button closures.
  • Interior corner ribbons to tie down the insert… this my friends is aaaaamazing!!  For YEARS my husband and I have dealt with our down comforter shifting all over the place and creating all kinds of havoc on our bed. If you have a duvet, you know exactly what I am talking about. These corner ties are genius!

Crane & Canopy Duvet Ties

All you have to do is turn the duvet inside out and tie the top two corners. Then turn it right side out, pull the duvet down, tie the bottom two corners then zip up the bottom… It’s PERFECT!

The alternative bedding I suggested at the beginning of this review also has these features. You can check it out here:

View it Here

I decided that with the new bedding I needed to give our room a little makeover at the same time. I created some custom wall art with some amazing new products from DecoArt. I will be showing off this fun new technique in a few weeks on the DecoArt Blog.  Then, I added a few fun new accessories from my favorite shop… Target!

The bench is part of the fabulous Threshold collection, along with the accent tables. For those looking to add even more versatility to a multi-purpose room, incorporating one of the stylish and easy-to-assemble Koala Sleeper Sofas is a brilliant way to ensure your guests stay as comfortable as you are in your ‘plush white cloud’.

Both lamps are from Target as well. The one on the right I’ve had for awhile and they no longer carry it. The one on the right is a fabulous Architect Desk Lamp that I just love. The books are from Anthropologie. I actually took the color scheme for the makeover from the cover of Anthro’s Pride & Prejudice.

Pride and Prejudice

Just because I want to sleep in a cloud doesn’t mean that the whole room needs to be devoid of color. All in all, I adore my new room. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new bedding from Crane & Canopy. My husband and I just celebrated 13 years together last week, and I can finally say… I have my dream bed!

Crane & Canopy Bedroom Makeover on WhipperBerry

Where is Crane & Canopy Made?

Crane & Canopy is designed in San Francisco, CA.  Then the bedding is manufactured in Oeko-Tex factories. These are the highest standard of factories that exist for bedding products. These certified factories are located all across the world in many different countries and likely help with distribution.

Crane & Canopy Bedding Features

I covered some of the features above in my rambling but I will list out some of the amazing features below.

  • Highest quality cotton
  • High thread counts
  • Zipper enclosure at bottom of the duvet cover.
  • Interior corner ties to keep your comforter in place.

The other alternative has very similar features but for half the cost.

View it Here

Is Crane & Canopy Bedding Worth The Cost?

If you can’t tell by now, I love my Crane & Canopy bedding and Duvet. It’s designer, it’s fluffy, and it’s amazing overall. The main question you probably have is if it’s worth the cost. After all, it is a bit expensive and there are some bad Crane & Canopy reviews out there online. In my humble opinion, it’s 100% worth it but you can also get something similar for half the price. You sleep in your bed every night.

If there’s one thing you should spend a bit of extra money on it’s a comfy and fluffy bed. You’ll get a better night’s sleep and wake up thinking you’re in a chalet. To truly complete this sanctuary for your lungs as well as your body, many allergy sufferers also pair their premium linens with a high-end air purifier like Molekule to reduce smoke inhalation and airborne allergens while they sleep.

What’s your dream bed? Do you have it yet? If not, I highly recommend you head over to Crane & Canopy and check out their entire line of designer bedding. Tell them WhipperBerry sent ya! However, if that’s too expensive you can get an alternative here:

View it Here

 

Disclaimer // This post has been sponsored by Crane & Canopy. I did receive product to review, but I was not paid for my review. This is why I am also recommending an alternative. All thoughts, ideas & opinions are my very own. Rest assured, I will NEVER post about a product or a company that I don’t wholeheartedly believe in and use in my normal everyday life.

Rebecca Page Pattern Reviews – Maybe They Just Don’t Cut It

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Rebecca Page, the person, seems to be a good person overall. But, the business and the customer service leave a lot to be desired. Read the rest of this article to find out why and to see where you should sign up instead of at RebeccaPage.

What is Rebecca Page?

Rebecca Page is a designer/craft blogger who has had a lifelong passion for sewing. In fact, she tells the story on her website of being an 8-year-old little girl who dreamed of sewing her own wedding dress someday. Now, her online business features sewing and other crafting patterns, tutorials and classes, and a monthly subscription service for her sewing patterns.

On the Rebecca Page website, you’ll find links to sewing patterns, crochet patterns, craft ideas, tutorials and classes, blog articles, and shopping links for fabric and notions. Also on her website is an option to subscribe to her patterns, so you’ll have access to one free pattern each month. 

If you’re short on time I’ll say this…

I would skip Rebecca-Page’s subscription. I’ve written reviews of other pattern sites and schools that I like much better. You can find one of those reviews here.


What’s Included In A Rebecca Page Subscription?

When you subscribe to Rebecca Page’s Sewing Patterns, you get one “pattern credit” each month. One “pattern credit” allows you to purchase and download any pattern from the website. New patterns are released each month, but if the new releases aren’t appealing you can choose from any sewing pattern available. If you don’t want to purchase any patterns in a given month, you just save your credits. They’ll remain in your account for 365 days from when you receive them. 


Home Much Does A Rebecca Page Subscription Cost?

There are three price options for a subscription to Rebecca Page Sewing Patterns.

The monthly option is $10 a month, and it is automatically rebilled on a monthly basis. With this option, you are paying $10 for one “pattern credit” a month; essentially this means you’re paying $10 per pattern. If you decide not to continue the subscription, you can cancel at any time.

The six-month option is $48, and is automatically rebilled every 6 months. This price works out to paying just $8 per month, or $8 for each pattern. This option also allows you to cancel at any time before the end of your billing cycle.

The twelve-month option is $78, and is automatically rebilled every 12 months. This price is equal to paying $6.50 each month, or $6.50 for each sewing pattern. Like the other subscription options, you can cancel at any time. The price of $6.50 for a sewing pattern is a great value, but definitely browse through the pattern selections to see if Rebecca Page’s style is right for you before committing to this plan.

If you decide to cancel your subscription, it can be done at any time before your next billing cycle. If you have a 6-month or 12-month subscription, they do not issue refunds for unused subscription time or any unused pattern credits you haven’t spent. Any unused pattern credits will remain in your account until you use them, or until they expire.

Rebecca Page Patterns

Rebecca Page has sewing patterns primarily for women’s clothing. Her styles are very feminine, featuring flowing styles accented with ruffles and other “girly” design touches. Most of the clothing designs are more suited to casual and “weekend wear”, so if you are looking for patterns for office attire or to build a “professional capsule wardrobe” you might not find as many styles that appeal to you. Many of the designs seem to be styled for younger women, so a more mature woman might not find as many appealing patterns.

The women’s clothing patterns from Rebecca Page are definitely inclusive to a variety of body types, with many styles having a fit range from XXS to 5XL. She has also designed patterns for little girls that match some of her women’s clothing styles, making for adorable  “Mommy and Me” outfit options. There are even doll clothes patterns to match some outfits!

There is also a section of sewing patterns that are suitable for maternity and nursing clothing. This is a niche that many sewing pattern subscription services don’t always pay attention to.

In addition to the women’s clothing patterns, which are definitely the majority, there are numerous patterns for children (mostly girls) and men’s clothing available also.

You’ll find sewing patterns from Rebeca Page for more than clothing. There are also patterns for accessories like tote bags and pouches. There are also patterns to create home decor items and soft children’s toys.   

Rebecca Page Classes and Tutorials

Rebecca Page has an extensive amount of video classes and tutorials available on her website. These are not included with a subscription, but most of them are reasonably priced. You can complete them on your own time, at your own pace, and rewatch them as much as you’d like.

There are also video sew-along tutorials for many of her clothing patterns. The sew-alongs are free; you’ll just need to purchase her pattern to go with it. If you are a beginner at sewing, it might be useful to watch a sew-along video before buying a particular pattern, just to see if you think it’s within your range of expertise. When you sign up for a sew-along tutorial, you’ll also be invited to join the private Sew-Along Facebook group. 

 

Is A Subscription To Rebecca Page Patterns Right For You?

Now that we’ve described most of what you will find on Rebecca Page’s website, are you still trying to decide if you should get a pattern subscription? Here are some things to consider.

Rebecca Page sewing patterns are good quality and come in a wide range of sizes. As mentioned earlier in this article, her women’s clothing designs are very feminine and youthful. They’re very size-inclusive, and reviews online are quite favorable. However, before committing to a subscription, browse through the patterns and see if her designs are something you or your family members would enjoy wearing.

Some of her sewing patterns for accessories, such as tote bags and zippered pouches, are cute, but very similar patterns can be found online for free from various crafting websites.

Other than the private Facebook group, there is no online social community for Rebecca Page subscribers. Facebook groups can be fun, but it would be nice to have a social community right on her webpage, similar to what other sewing pattern websites have done.

If you’d like to try a Rebecca Page sewing pattern, you don’t need to sign up for a subscription. You can directly buy any of the patterns on her website. The retail prices range from $10.50 to $16.50. You don’t have to be a subscriber to buy any of her online classes or download the sew-along tutorials, either.

One possible downside to purchasing Rebecca Page sewing patterns (or any online sewing patterns for that matter) is that you’ll need access to a printer for your pattern. Once you buy a pattern, you’ll receive a digital file to download, which you’ll then need to print and piece together to use.

 

Another downside to any sewing pattern subscription is that you end up buying multiple patterns from one single designer. It limits the variety of your wardrobe pieces.

While Rebecca Page designs are very pretty, overall they might not be “right” if you’re wanting to sew a wardrobe of professional/business attire.

Before joining any pattern subscription service, you should decide if you’ll wear numerous clothing items from that designer, especially when the designer has a distinctive style. For more variety in your wardrobe items, and for the ease of not having to print patterns yourself, Joann Fabrics has a large selection of patterns from long-established companies, such as Butterick and McCall’s. Joann Fabrics also has a large selection of online and in-person classes at very affordable prices. 

How To Prime a Chalkboard – Blackboard Seasoning

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Chalkboards are such a fun way to decorate around the house, in your office, or for parties! Here is a quick video showing you how to prime your chalkboard. Make sure to read this whole article for other tips and tricks!

 

Chalkboard signs, labels, and even entire chalkboard walls are a clever and creative way to personalize your home decor. Whether using a traditional slate chalkboard, or a surface painted with chalkboard paint, a little bit of preparation and maintenance goes a long way to ensure your chalk art will always look vibrant.

What Does it Mean to Prime a Chalkboard?

Just like applying a primer coat before painting a house, or brushing on a layer of gesso to stretched canvas, your chalk art will look best when the chalkboard surface is properly primed. Priming fills any tiny holes or pores in your chalkboard with a thin layer of chalk dust. This smooths out the surface of your chalkboard, making it easy to write/draw on, and easy to erase.

Have you ever tried to erase something on a chalkboard, and the images stubbornly remain there, just barely visible? That’s commonly known as “ghosting”. Thankfully, priming is an easy way to prepare the chalkboard so that “ghosting” doesn’t occur.

How To Prepare a Chalkboard Before Using It

If you’re using a traditional slate chalkboard, there isn’t much you need to do to prepare it. Make sure it’s clean of any dirt or tiny bits of debris (natural slate can have tiny chips at the edges). Once it’s cleaned and dry, you can go ahead and prime the surface.

If you’re painting a sign or a door with chalkboard paint. It’s important to paint the surface in two to four coats, allowing a full 24 hours of drying time between each coat of paint. Once that’s done, it’s time to prime your chalkboard surface.

How to Prepare a Chalkboard for Traditional Chalk

Priming (sometimes known as “seasoning”) your chalkboard for traditional chalk is quick and easy. An adequately primed chalkboard is key to creating chalk art and messages that get noticed. It can be done in minutes, with just a few simple steps:

Step One: Make sure your surface is clean and dry.

Step Two: Using a stick of ordinary white chalk, lightly rub all over your chalkboard using the side (not the end) of the chalk. Cover the surface first going horizontally, thing over it again vertically.

Step Three: Using a soft, dry rag gently buff the chalk all over the chalkboard, This will help the chalk dust fill in any nooks and crannies, giving you a smooth surface for your art.

 

Step Four: Now erase the chalk. You can use a traditional felt chalk eraser or a barely damp cloth. Be careful not to use a cloth that is too rough so you won’t scratch the chalkboard.

 

How to Prepare a Chalkboard for Liquid Chalk

Liquid chalk markers are water-based markers with pigments that dry to a chalk finish. They’re available in a wide variety of colors, including neon and metallic styles. They are a little bit different than traditional chalk, however. The biggest difference is that liquid chalk markers should only be used on non-porous surfaces. On porous surfaces, such as slate, the liquid chalk is difficult to erase, even with proper priming.

Priming your chalkboard for liquid chalk markers is just as easy as priming for traditional chalk. In fact, you can prime your surface using the method for traditional chalk and your liquid chalk markers will work just fine. However, if you want to take a few extra steps for optimal results, here’s what you should do:

Step One: Make sure your surface is clean and dry.

Step Two: Using a white liquid chalk marker, doodle all over your chalkboard. You don’t have to cover every bit of surface, just make sure the marker is spread out over most of it.

Step Three: Let your chalk doodles sit there for 20 to 30 seconds. The liquid chalk should be almost, but not completely dry.

Step Four: Using a soft, damp cloth, wipe your chalkboard clean. Be careful not to use a cloth that it too rough so the chalkboard paint doesn’t become scratched.

Tips For Maintaining and Enjoying Your Chalkboard 

When priming your chalkboard, keep in mind that this process blows minuscule bits of chalk into the air. You might want to wear a mask to cover your nose and mouth while doing this if you’re sensitive to dust. If you’re priming a large chalkboard surface, such as a wall or door, you might also want to have a drop cloth nearby to catch all the chalk dust created by the priming process.

Once you’ve primed your chalkboard surface, you should be able to draw and easily erase it many times. If you start to notice ghosting, just follow the steps to re-prime your chalkboard.

Chalkboard paint can scratch or chip over a long period of time. Adding another coat or two of paint periodically, as well as re-priming, can both help keep it looking new.

If you do have some “ghost images” on your chalkboard, use a wet sponge with a small amount of liquid dish soap to gently wash the image away. Other suggested methods for cleaning include a damp cloth with a tiny bit of white vinegar or a magic eraser cleaner.  Before using any of these to clean a chalkboard painted surface, do a small test spot in a corner. Some brands of chalkboard paint may discolor with certain cleaning chemicals.

Once your chalkboard is primed and ready, it’s time to start creating! Chalk is a fun, versatile medium with so many possibilities. Play around with different techniques to produce eye-catching art. You can use cotton balls or swabs to softly blend different layers of colored chalk together. To get more vibrant coverage from traditional chalk you can dip the end of the chalk stick in a little bit of water. You can cut stencils and templates from card stock to create fun designs. The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination!

Seamwork Review – Is it Worth the Cost?

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Should you sign up for Seamwork? Probably not, but you need to read this article all the way through to see why. Here is a quick summary if you’re short on time.

There are better websites online that do the same thing. Seamwork’s site itself isn’t so bad and there are some redeeming qualities, but their customer support doesn’t even reply to you. I emailed them a question over a month ago and still haven’t received a reply. How is that for customer service?

Instead, I’d recommend signing up for Craftsy. They’re much better at customer service and have higher quality options to choose from.

Get Craftsy Now

 

What is Seamwork?

 

Seamwork is a website and subscription service dedicated to sewing your own clothes. From the website, you can read many articles on everything from sewing tips and techniques, to fabrics, wardrobe style, and the creative mindset. You can also browse through their pattern collections, to see if they are the type of clothing you would be interested in sewing for yourself.

Seamwork has a quick quiz for new members, so they can get an idea of your sewing skill level and what type of patterns/clothing you like the best. Based on your answers, they can recommend patterns and tutorials that might best fit your interests. This feature can be especially helpful for beginners who aren’t used to picking out patterns.

There’s one problem big problem though. Seamwork simply isn’t the best site for patterns or classes. Their customer service is extremely lacking. When you compare Seamwork to Craftsy, it’s just not that close.

Get Craftsy Now

How Much Does A Seamwork Subscription Cost?

Seamwork has two subscription options. If you want to be billed once a month with no annual commitment, the cost is $16 per month. This pricing is in line with all other programs of this sort. 

The Unlimited plan is billed annually (once a year), and costs $15 per month, with automatic renewal each year.

The difference between the two plans is that with the monthly plan you get to download two sewing patterns each month, and the annual plan allows you to download an unlimited number of sewing patterns each month. With the annual plan only being $12 more, this seems like a good value at first glance. Still, I’d recommend another service because you simply get more for the money.

Get Craftsy Now


If you decide you want to cancel your membership for either plan, you can do so easily before your next billing cycle. You’ll get to keep any patterns you have already downloaded.

However, Seamwork doesn’t refund any unused time on a membership. For example, if you paid for an annual plan but want to cancel after six months, the cancellation won’t go into effect until your yearly membership has expired.

They won’t cancel your membership immediately and refund six months’ worth of membership back to you. If you’re unsure if a long-term Seamwork membership is right for you, paying monthly might be a better choice.

I don’t see this as a really bad thing overall because it’s standard practice.


What Is Included In A Seamwork Membership?

Here is a list of what is included in a Seamwork membership, along with the estimated value Seamwork describes for each item:

Access to the Seamwork Library of over 200 sewing patterns; valued at a total $3,200.00. This estimated value is based on each pattern having a price of $16.

That’s a reasonable individual price for most clothing patterns. However, a monthly membership only gives you access to two patterns per month. The yearly membership allows you to download as many patterns as you like at any time.

Monthly sew-a-long classes; valued at $1,176.  Sew-a-long classes are great for anyone who is a visual learner, or for anyone at the beginning level of sewing. The value of these classes was based on each class, regardless of duration or difficulty, having a price of $49. 

Support from the Seamwork Team, and access to the Seamwork Online Community; valued at “priceless”. Seamwork has an online community where members can chat, ask questions, and share sewing tips. Additionally, members of the Seamwork web team monitor the online community, and they can be reached via email with any questions or concerns. According to the website, they answer all emails within 24 hours.  Here’s the thing though. They haven’t replied to me and it’s been over a month! 

In addition to the listed items already mentioned, Seamwork is currently advertising the following “bonus” items included with membership:

Over 60 pattern bonus variations; valued at $496.  The Seamwork website describes these as downloadable pattern pieces to get a whole new look from their patterns.

Something to keep in mind is that usually when you purchase sewing patterns from a fabric store, pattern variations (different necklines, sleeve styles, skirt lengths, etc.) are often included with the pattern, and not something you would pay extra money for.

“Design Your Wardrobe 3-Week Program”; valued at $299. This is a  3-week course that runs twice a year. The objective of this course is to plan an entire season of sewing. You can participate with other Seamwork members, or try a self-paced version. This course could be useful if you want to create an extensive wardrobe of clothing items that you can mix and match for different looks.

Discounts at many independent fabric shops; estimated value of $10-$200.

This is a nice bonus for Seamwork members, as independent fabric shops offer fun and unique material that often isn’t available anywhere else. Keep in mind that the fabrics in these shops are usually more expensive than fabric sold in larger stores.

If you’re sewing on a budget, it’s a good idea to compare prices between independent shops and national fabric/craft store chains. Even with a discount at an independent store, you might be able to buy nice fabric for your project for a cheaper price at a larger fabric store.

“Define Your Style” worksheets; valued at $19. These worksheets are a fun idea to help plan what type of clothes you like to wear, and what you plan to sew for yourself. Any craft projects are more enjoyable when your thoughts are organized. 

This all sounds good and well but you can get much more for the money at Craftsy.

Get Craftsy Now


Seamwork Pattern Reviews

Seamwork was started by Sarai Mitnick, the founder/creator of Colette Patterns. In 2014, she closed down her paper pattern business and started the Seamwork website, which focuses not only on patterns but also on sewing knowledge and community. 

Most of the patterns on Seamwork are for basic wardrobe pieces that can be worn together for a variety of stylish looks. With a little planning, this can be a great way to create a stylish custom wardrobe for yourself.

However, because they are “basic” pieces, some of the patterns almost look like variations of previously released patterns.

The clothing styles on the Seamwork website aren’t as varied as you might find elsewhere.

Many online reviewers have reported consistent sizing issues with their patterns. Couple this with the fact that their customer support hasn’t even emailed me back in over a month and you’re sure to have a nightmare on your hands.

The patterns seem to require many fit adjustments, even from experienced sewers. Many have said that the pattern fits are “boxy” and “loose”. Some minor adjustments is always to be expected when sewing your own garments, though.

Based on the sizing issues that are reported and no responses from their customer support, I’m left having to recommend that you don’t join Seamwork but join another program instead that I’ve reviewed as well.

Get Craftsy Now


Is Seamwork Worth The Cost?


If you add up the value of everything included in a Seamwork membership, it comes to a total of over $5,200. Of course, you only get that full value amount if you utilize every pattern, every class, and consistently use the discounts at independent fabric stores.

Some of their given valuations for what a membership includes seem pretty inflated.

For example, adding a dollar amount for pattern variations is odd when you consider that many patterns usually include variations.

A class that has 6-8 lessons has the same dollar value as a class with only 1-2 lessons, according to their website.

So, is Seamwork worth the money? Their membership price isn’t unreasonable if you like their patterns, and don’t mind that you may have to make quite a few sizing adjustments.

Fortunately, you can browse through pictures of their pattern choices to see if they look appealing. The classes range from easy, quick projects to more complex patterns, and there are many free tutorial articles on the website.

If a Seamwork membership looks like something you would possibly enjoy, you might think it could be a good idea to try a month-to-month membership at first. That way, you could cancel if you decide it just isn’t for you…

Well, you’d be right. You could risk it but luckily you read this review first and know you probably shouldn’t. If you really want patterns and sewing classes then you can’t go wrong with Craftsy instead of Seamwork.

Get Craftsy Now

While Seamwork is popular with some users, there are other online sewing resources where you’ll get a better value for the money you spend, especially if you’re a beginner.

For example, Craftsy.com offers sewing patterns and classes that can be accessed through their membership, or purchased individually if you aren’t a member.

The sewing classes offered on their site are not only for clothing items but also for accessories and decorative items. Their classes cover a wide range of topics from the basics of how to use a sewing machine to drafting your own sewing patterns.

Get Craftsy Now

Cricut Mug Press Review – Is it Worth the Cost?

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Cricut Mug Press

Cricut has a lot of different crafting machines. I’ve had the privilege of using lots of them and even own four different ones. You can my crafts on this blog along with other crafting tutorials for sewing, cutting, painting, and more. Okay, so let’s get into the Cricut Mug Press review…

What Is The Cricut Mug Press?

The Cricut Mug Press is an add-on accessory for Cricut cutting machines. It is compatible with the Cricut Joy, Maker, and Air machines. With the Cricut Mug Press, you can use Cricut Design Space software to create custom mugs and tumblers.

The Mug Press doesn’t apply decals; the designs are sublimated onto specially treated mugs. Your design will literally become part of the mug. The end result is a professional-looking piece with a smooth glossy finish.

 

GET THE CRICUT MUG PRESS HERE

Cricut Mug Press Features


The Cricut Mug Press is a fairly simple machine. It measures approximately 9.29” x 13.14” x 8.18”. This is compact enough that it stores easily on a shelf or in a drawer.

It features a patent-pending heating plate that ensures even heat distribution when transferring your design.

A simple one-touch settings button and a lever are the only controls, making it simple to operate. The “Smart Temperature” feature means that you don’t need to worry about setting a timer or figuring out how hot to set the mug press.

The Cricut Mug Press also features an auto-off switch, which prevents the machine from getting too hot. Since the mug press operates at very high temperatures, this is a very important safety feature.

What Does The Cricut Mug Press Come With?

Cricut products come with a bundle of things when you purchase a machine. These things will help you get started with crafting. The Mug Press is no different but it is a little light on accessories.

When you purchase a new Cricut Mug Press, you’ll get:

  • The Cricut Mug Press Heat Press for Mugs
  • USB cord for activation
  • User instructions to get started
  • Warranty Information

GET THE CRICUT MUG PRESS HERE

How Does The Cricut Mug Press Work?

The Cricut website describes the process to use the mug press as being just three easy steps: Design, Press, and Reveal!

That’s not inaccurate, but there are more details to creating custom-designed mugs. There is an online tutorial at cricut.com/make-mugs, but here are some important details about how the Cricut Mug Press operates.

The first thing to know about the Cricut Mug Press is that it works only with Cricut machines, and Cricut’s Design Space software.

To activate a brand new mug press, you need to do so in Cricut Design Space by plugging the mug press into a computer or laptop (not a phone or tablet).

The mug press connects to your computer via a USB cord. Once the activation process is completed, you can use Design Space from your tablet or phone if you prefer.


Once you’ve followed the steps to activate your machine, you’re ready to begin designing your first mug! It’s helpful to review the online tutorial at cricut.com/make-mugs, or many of the YouTube tutorials by talented crafters, before beginning your first project.

Next, it’s very important to note that the mug press won’t work for just any ceramic mug. This machine is basically a mug-shaped heat press that is optimized for infusible inks/sublimation printing.

You’ll need to use mugs that are known as “sublimation blanks” with this machine. Sublimation mugs (or “blanks”) are treated with an invisible poly-coating that allows the infusible inks to “fuse” with the ceramic mug.

The result is a mug where the design is not on top of the mug surface like a decal, but actually becomes part of the mug itself. Cricut sells its own sublimation mugs in several sizes.

Additionally, there are many craft companies that sell mugs and tumblers that will work in the Cricut Mug Press.

Just be sure to check that they are indeed sublimation blanks and that the size is compatible with the mug press. Any mug used in the Cricut Mug Press should also have straight (not tapered) sides.



There are a few special materials needed to design a mug using the Cricut Mug Press.

Cricut’s infusible ink transfer sheets come in a large selection of colors and patterns, and any Cricut machine cuts them nicely.

If your design involves small, intricate details, such as writing, Cricut makes a line of infusible ink pens that can be loaded into the Cricut machines just like regular drawing pens.

The infusible ink pens can draw designs onto laser copy paper that can be applied with the Cricut Mug Press. 

Mug designs, like all Cricut projects, are created using their Design Space free software. In Design Space, there are a number of “ready-to-make” mug projects, as well as blank templates to create your own unique mugs.

Once you’ve selected your design, put the infusible ink transfer sheet on your cutting mat’s shiny side down. Before cutting, click on the “mirror” button in Design Space if your image contains any letters/words.

Once your design is cut out and all small bits have been “weeded”, it’s time to apply it to your mug!

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Before applying your cut design, make sure the mug is clean and dry. Then, go over the outside of the mug with a lint roller to remove any remaining dust.

Even the tiniest of dust specks can leave marks when the mug is being pressed. Start preheating your mug press; it should only take 3-4 minutes. Apply your design by setting a mug down in front of you, with the handle facing you.

Slowly wrap your cut design around the mug, making sure the transfer sheet is flush with the bottom of the mug, and that it is wrapped snugly against the mug surface. Use the mug handle position to ensure your design is centered.

Infusible ink sheets will have sticky tabs on the carrier sheets to secure the wrap to the mug. Cricut also sells heat-resistant tape, if the infusible ink sheets aren’t sticking well. Do not use regular tape; it will melt in the mug press!

When the light is green on the mug press, it’s fully preheated and ready to go. Put the wrapped mug in the press, with the handle facing outward. Lower the lever on top, and double-check that mug looks secure and centered.

Closing the lever clamps the mug in place and begins the pressing process. There’s no need to set a timer or even check the temperature; the Cricut Mug Press does that automatically.

The press takes the temperature of the mug, as well as the temperature of the ambient air, and adjusts accordingly for the best time and heat to press your design.

Most mugs should only take 5-6 minutes to complete. The mug press will beep when it’s finished.

Once the mug press is done, raise the lever on top and remove your mug. Be careful when removing the mug. The handle should be cool enough to touch, but the mug will still be very hot!

Set the mug on a folded towel or another heat-resistant surface. Let your mug cool down, then carefully peel away the carrier sheet. You should now have a professional-looking mug decorated with your unique design!  

How Much Does The Cricut Mug Press Cost?

The Cricut Mug Press has a regular price of $199.99. Of course, you’ll also need supplies to begin creating your mugs. As with most of their cutting machines and accessories, Cricut sells the mug press in bundles that also include Cricut sublimation mugs and various supplies. I recommend getting the bundle for sure.

GET THE CRICUT MUG PRESS HERE

The “Mug Press and Essentials” Bundle includes 4 mugs along with a small selection of Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets and pen for $249.93.

The “Mug Press and Everything” Bundle includes eight mugs and a larger selection of Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets and pens for the price of $313.85. 

These bundles are a good value. It would cost more money to buy the Cricut Mug Press and all the included supplies separately.  Cricut.com frequently has these bundles on sale, too.

Cricut also sells their sublimation mugs in bulk packages of 36 mugs, which might be a better bargain if you plan on making a large number of mugs.

There are other brands of sublimation “blanks” (mugs, tumblers, etc) sold by various craft stores that you can use in the Cricut Mug Press. The prices might be more affordable than the Cricut brand, but be sure to double-check measurements to ensure they’ll fit properly in your mug press. 

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Is The Cricut Mug Press Right For You?

The Cricut Mug Press is a compact, easy-to-use machine that produces professional quality customized mugs. The mugs are dishwasher and microwave safe, which is an improvement over personalized mugs made with permanent vinyl decals.

If you already have a Cricut machine and are fairly familiar with using Design Space, you’ll have no trouble getting great results with this machine.

It is a bit expensive, so consider the cost of the machine and materials when deciding if you’ll use it often enough to get your money’s worth.

The mug press is great if you plan on creating custom mugs to sell, or if you want a number of mugs with a team name or your own business logo on them.

 Customized mugs also make fun gifts for all occasions. Create personalized mugs for wedding and housewarming gifts, perhaps paired with some gourmet coffee and/or teas.

You can design mugs for any holiday or special occasion. Mugs can be created to match specific kitchen decor or to simply reflect one’s personality.

Cricut Design Space has hundreds of images and fun, ready-to-make mug projects – and they’re easy to do with the Cricut Mug Press.

GET THE CRICUT MUG PRESS HERE