This is one of those projects that has been in my head forever. No joke, I’ve been wanting to do this one for over a year now. So last year, when I learned about the Silhouette Curio and the myriad of materials it can cut, I knew that this was going to be one of the first things I would make with my new machine.
After ordering an assortment of felt sheets in gorgeous succulent inspired hues, I finally got around to making it my faux succulent wreath. And I couldn’t be happier with the results! I feel like it’s the perfect blend of crafty cute and modern style, which is pretty much what I aim for in most of my projects. Plus there’s scallops, which I think is the icing on the cake!
If you want to make your own felt succulents, check out my tutorial below. And if you’re wondering just how exactly to cut felt with your Curio, read on for my tips and tricks to getting great cuts.
DIY Felt Succulent Wreath
Supplies
Silhouette Curio
Curio large base kit
Assortment of succulent colored felt
12″ metal macramé ring
Hot glue gun
Painter’s tape
Temporary spray adhesive
Download the Silhouette cut files
or download the printable template
Directions
- Trim the felt sheets so they are each 8.5″ x 12″. Spray a 8.5″ x 12″ cutting mat with temporary adhesive. Place one sheet of felt on the cutting mat.
- Load the base with 2, #2 mats and place the cutting mat with felt on top. Be sure to snap the clips over all three layers to hold the mats in place.
- Load the base into the machine and cut. Before using your pretty succulent colored felt, I suggest you use a scrap piece to test the cut settings. Below you will find what worked best for the felt I used.
- Arrange the cut out pieces on top of each other, with the largest pieces on the bottom. Then starting with the smallest piece, put some hot glue in the center and pinch it together and hold until the glue hardens.
- Then add glue to the center of the second smallest piece and place it directly under the first piece. Pinch the center together and hold until the glue sets. Repeat this with all the remaining leaves.
- Use scissors to cut 2 pieces of felt in a slightly curved shape for your base. Put the metal ring in the middle and hot glue both sides together. Glue the assembled succulents onto the wreath base.
Optional: create a faux leather wreath hanger
One of the newest Silhouette products is this faux leather paper. It comes on a 12″ wide roll and can be cut with a Curio, Cameo or Portrait. The coolest part is that the paper can be washed (even in the machine!) and even sewn. It’s actually the process of washing it that gives it a real leather-like look. I gave it a test run and used it to create a hanger for my wreath.
Use a 12″ x 17″ piece of Silhouette faux leather paper to create a scalloped wreath hanger. Place the faux leather paper on a 12″ x 24″ cutting mat and cut it out using a Silhouette Cameo. After cutting, hand wash the paper in the sink and crinkle it as you wash it. Ring out the paper and place it on a paper towel and allow it to dry completely. Once dry, use double-sided tape to loop it around the top of your wreath. Then use thumbtacks or tape to tack down the paper to the top of your door.
How to Cut Felt on a Curio
After LOTS of trial and error, here’s my list of best practices for cutting felt on a Curio.
- Use temporary spray adhesive to spray down the cutting mat each time before placing the felt on top. Even though the mat is already tacky, after applying felt just one it really loses it’s stickiness.
- Tape down the sides of the felt. I used painter’s tape to secure all four sides of the felt before placing it on the Curio platform.
- Use a total of 5 mats. Stack 2, #2 mats and then place the cutting mat on top for a total depth of 5.
- Use a deep cut blade with a setting of 14.
- Create a custom felt setting in Silhouette Studio. I found the following to be best: speed 1, thickness 30, single cut.
I added 6 faux succulents to my wreath but if you’re feeling ambitious, it would also look stunning if you went all the way around and filled an entire wreath.
Been thinking about buying a Silhouette for awhile? Check my Silhouette page to see everything I’ve created with mine and download free cut files.
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This is so pretty! Such a simple idea, but it’s seriously gorgeous.
Thanks so much, Cyd!
Thanks for the tips! I tried freezer paper but no luck. I have cameo 3, but I think it’s similar to curio. Will definitely try out your method next time. One question, does the felt get sticky after the spray?
I personally haven’t had luck cutting felt with my Cameo, only the Curio. Have you tried using the new deep cut blades? The felt doesn’t get sticky if you’re using a low-tack spray adhesive.
Thank you for such a wonderfull idea!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Oh my, how beautiful! I love your colors, and also that you can leave it up for a long time without worrying about neglecting real plants (because I would definitely never remember to water plants that are on the outside of my door, lol!) Thank you for sharing, Sarah!
I always forget to water them too! Especially indoor plants!
So gorgeous!
Thanks, Amy!
This looks totally gorgeous! I would love something like this on my front door.
Thanks! It makes a pretty year-round decoration!
ummmmm this is the cutest!!! And I always kill my succulents ha ha so this is perfect!
Thanks Sara! And I always do too! ;)
So fresh and lovely! This is definitely on the must-make list! Thanks for the inspiration!
That is so simply cute! Love it but sadly I do not have that machine :( I would hate to cut it out by hand! LOL
Hello!!! Loe this idea and want to do this as well… just wondering what sort of felt you used? I just bought some from Joann’s and it’s not cutting well… It doesn’t look like your’s does either…
Hi Brenda! I used felt sheets I purchased on Etsy that were a wool/rayon blend. I believe most of the felt at craft stores is mostly, if not completely synthetic fibers. I suggest trying wool blend or 100% wool felt and definitely buy an extra sheet or two to test on your machine first. I also found it helpful to hold the felt down (carefully!) with my fingers while the Curio was cutting to avoid it from snagging.
what kind of felt are you using. i m trying 1mm wool felt and it just wont cut through
I also used 1mm felt. Have you tried using the Silhouette deep cut blade? Honestly, cutting felt isn’t the easiest but I found it’s most effective if you use your hands to keep the felt smooth while it’s cutting. Just be sure to stay clear of the blade!
Thanks for the tips! I tried freezer paper but no luck. I have cameo 3, but I think it’s similar to curio. Will definitely try out your method next time. One question, does the felt get sticky after the spray?
Oh no! I think it is quite finicky unfortunately. If you use a very low tack adhesive like I do, I find that the felt isn’t sticky at all.