If you’ve ever looked at your metal dies and wondered if they could handle more than just cardstock, this project is for you! I took the 6042 - Corner Bookmark Dies for a spin, but instead of reaching for paper, I experimented with pleather and felt.
The result? Two distinct, high-end bookmarks that feel much more substantial than your average paper version. Here is how I tackled the different textures and materials to get a professional finish.
Pro-Tip: The Secret to a Clean Cut
While these dies are designed for paper, they cut beautifully through thicker materials like felt and pleather if you use the right "sandwich." To ensure every edge was crisp using my die cut machine, I adjusted my setup:
The Sandwich: Normal plate on the bottom.
The Secret Weapon: Place a metal shim directly on top of the cutting surface.
The Material: Lay your pleather or felt over the shim.
The Die: Place the die face-down on the material.
Top Plate: Normal plate on the top.
Cutting against the metal shim provides the extra firmness needed to slice through fabric fibers cleanly every time.
Bookmark #1: Cozy Felt Flowers
Felt and fuzzy materials are notoriously difficult to glue—the glue just soaks into the fibers. To solve this, I turned to HeatnBond iron-on adhesive.
Prep the Material: Before die-cutting, iron the HeatnBond onto your felt or pleather pieces following the package directions. I used my Cricut Easy Press, but a standard iron works perfectly too.
The "Pocket" Trick: For the main bookmark base, I didn't coat the whole thing. I only applied a strip of HeatnBond to the tab portion. This ensures that when you iron the pieces together, the "pocket" remains open so you can actually slide it onto your book pages!
Assembly: Once the pieces were cut, I followed the HeatnBond instructions to fuse the felt flowers and leaves onto the base.
The Finish: I added a bit of "wow" factor using glitter and crystal drops for a textured, handmade, whimsical look.
Bookmark #2: Iridescent Elegance
The Base: I cut the main piece from a stunning iridescent and embossed pleather that I found in my stash. It's a good feeling to find some uses for things you've had for a long time. Win!
The Detail: I cut two additional flowers from a another pleather with a slightly different color story to create a subtle contrast.
The Adhesive: Since the back of this material is also fuzzy, I used Reptile Glue on it too. It’s incredibly versatile and creates a permanent bond on pleather without the need for heat.
The Centerpiece: To finish it off, I nestled an ivory glitter enamel dot in the center of the flowers. It’s simple, clean, and very elegant.
Wasn't this a fun one? I certainly enjoyed playing with something different than paper. It's great to know that Ai Dies can work on thick materials like pleather and felt. I'm looking at my dies in a whole new way now! Whether you want something fun and floral or sleek and chic, switching from paper to fabric opens up a whole new world for your die collection.
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