Using Heat Transfer Vinyl to Make a Custom Dress ✨

A new tool has entered the sewing room!! Today I'm experimenting with heat transfer vinyl in a velvety flock finish on dusty purple cotton sateen.
The print design I created for this dress: / 460563499408257048
Music and Sound Effects from Epidemic Sound.
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First, a disclaimer: So many of you have kindly offered to send me things, including vintage items you may have inherited, and I am so honored you would think of me and of course I do adore vintage treasures, however, unfortunately I only have so much storage space currently! So there is a chance that if something just wont work for me, or doesn't fit me etc, that I may not be able to keep all of your lovely things. Please only send things if you are okay with the possibility that I may donate items I just cannot keep. If you would prefer I put things that I can't keep into the TCH Etsy shop to help raise funds for me and the channel, please specify this in a note or letter in your parcel. Thank you so much!
Bianca Esposito
PO Box 632177
Highlands Ranch, CO 80163
Thank you for watching!

[@gerileemakes]

This turned out so beautiful

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!!

[@jenniferh376]

If you are planning to do more with your Cameo, you can get mats that are 12 x 24 inches, or if you get really comfortable with it, you can cut mat less to do 12 by however long you need it to be. I love my Cameo and the Silhouette software is great once you learn what it can do.

[@anitahebert1511]

Love the sleeves and the transfers are very cool. Imagine extending your tattoo up onto your bodice, what a signature design that would be. Have you tested the transfers on other fabrics, like silk ?

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Anita! I tried some metallic htv on silk this week and it worked great so I'm hopeful 😅

[@mosswhimsy]

I had never considered this as an option outside cosplay! It looks incredible. I wonder if it would be doable to cut out by hand. Some experiments in my future I think

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! I used some on a vintage handbag this week and looooove the results 🤩🤩

[@rebeccaabram2312]

I've worked with the Flocked HTV as well, and it can be done by hand but it will be tricky to cut ONLY through the vinyl and not the backing

[@librarychair]

Loooove a good arts+crafts design. Underrepresented imo but so very worth exploring. Such an interesting moment and the underlying philosophy is heavily relevant to today too

[@peachyfeather]

Bianca I’m 100% in love with every aspect of your creation. From your choice of colors to the Art and Crafts design motifs and the architectural sleeves. An absolute masterpiece.❤

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!! I had so much fun making it ❤

[@chaeburger]

This turned out so well! The possibilities are endless! I thoroughly enjoy when you start experimenting 🔬🧪💚

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Chae!!

[@Kera.S.]

Gorgeous 🥰 every detail and the silhouette is amazing!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Kera!

[@RychaardRyder]

the red leaves and my astigmatism makes this look like a beautiful art nouveau queen of hearts vibes dress!

[@theartsypixie2771]

Oh I love my silhouette! I chose it over the Cricut because it allows sooo many more options and tweaks. I use it to label and organize, make english paper piecing blanks, felt toys for the grandbaby, candle decor for my daughter, leather cutting, cork cutting, etc...

[@deeplystrange0]

Beautiful work, as always. It's giving me a slight "Disney villain" vibes which, in my opinion, is never a bad thing.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! Villainous vibes are always goals ✨

[@MabruBlack]

I swear this is destiny! I’m looking into buying a cameo 5, and I’d LOVE more stuff like this!! I honestly never thought of doing vintage-like patterns, I just always saw vinyl as such a modern thing.

[@Mommamacnz]

This dress looks fantastic and the idea of using the HTV in such a fashion opens up so many possibilities.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!!

[@SandieMitchell]

This is so cool; the design possibilities are endless. The sleeves are beautiful and remind me of Art Deco buildings. A coordinating wool coat with red lining would be gorgeous.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Sandie!!

[@debiapostol]

That is stunning … one would NEVER guess the design is vinyl transfers!!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@janatherton9194]

This has made me want to experiment more with my Brother Scan 'n' cut to see what it will do! I have made a few motifs for cotton t-shirts and camisoles, but I wasn't sure what other fabrics it would work with - a metallic copper would be lovely with the aubergine too. If you ever visit the UK again I recommend going to Glasgow to see the Hunterian Art Gallery and Museum and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow and then a train trip over to Helensburgh to see Hill House, you can see many of Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh's textiles that she designed and made for the homes designed by her husband - they very much worked as a team and she also designed and embroidered many of her own garments.

[@elisabethmontegna5412]

It’s been awhile since I used photoshop, but I think you can select by color. So in your drawing, you could have selected the blue, do inverse select (so it selects everything except the blue), then delete that selection, so that you are only left with the blue final drawing. I hope that made sense. This is so lovely, the pattern of the vinyl design is interesting and flows beautifully and the colors all really complement each other. The leaves remind me a bit of hearts and would make this a fun dress for Valentine’s Day.

[@lynn858]

Came here to suggest similar. Traditionally blue pencil was used for cartooning and drafting, then inked in black over top - as photocopiers didn't pick up the blue. Digitally I suppose it could be any "pure" colour that isn't represented elsewhere in the image. Another option, digitally, is to remove the sketching lines by changing the colour balance/range to eliminate that colour. Selecting he colour as you've described definitely can work, and will work fine if you only need a distinct line you, a human, can see and follow. If you need something cleaner, and more uniform/machine readable, removing the colour through adjusting levels might give preferable results. There are a number of ways to get there, and people who do cartooning and other drawing have tutorials for a variety of methods of getting there.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Elizabeth! The next design I did I definitely used pencil and had a nicer time ha!

[@caporotte]

I don't know if anyone else has said this too, but FYI, there's a trick from comic artists and black and white illustrators that will maybe help you in the future! If you do your sketch in non-photo blue (it's a light cyan leaning blue so anything in that family will work pretty well), those won't show up in your black and white scan. So you can just do your final lines over top of the sketch but not need to erase it before OR after you scan it (besides a little cleanup). This project is really cool and super helpful for me because this has been on my mind for doll clothes!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! Good to know, I shall have to try this next time!

[@dottiemathews6853]

my favorite artist is Machintosh and Frank Lloyd Wright. Fabulous Architects. i love Art deco and some of the Art Nouveau. throw in mid century modern design in there too!

[@rush77]

I love this idea! One of the doll customizers I follow does this for custom doll clothes, but I never really considered doing it at full size.

[@LarnieRadek]

Who is the doll artist? I would be curious to see what they do!

[@katelillo1932]

@@LarnieRadekMoonlight Jewel does a lot of this sort of thing for her doll clothes. She is awesome and so talented, definitely worth checking out 😊

[@rush77]

@@katelillo1932 Moonlight Jewel is who I was talking about :D some of the designs she does take 3 to 4 layers to pull off.

[@gavannapatterns353]

Oooh this turned out so beautiful! I LOVE that you went for an arts and craft pattern, as I work as a guide in a castle decorated mostly in arts and craft style, and happily talk about this style all day long❤😊! ( for some reason most people usually know very little about the arts and craft style and political movement ) And you definitely nailed it, both the colours and the design. Love it!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!! Art's and craft's design is so pretty, especially the glass and pottery work enveloped in all that geometric wood interior yumminess 🤩

[@tiffanytomasino335]

You look like a prize skin for a video game character, it’s pretty awesome. I’ve been looking at different craft cutters lately and this definitely nudges me toward it. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Tiffany!

[@monikadonnelly7105]

Wow! Stunning ensemble, as usual! And no finicky sewing to achieve the embellishment. Love that! Excited to see what you do with this technique next.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Monika!

[@mimimaitri1]

The colors of the dress and design pieces are just perfection.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

Oh wow!! That is stunning! Love the sleeves too! My head is now spinning with ideas! My son just got a cutting machine of some sort and he knows those programs! Oh and I found an old singer press at a thrift store, I've always wanted a press and it was there! Oh I must think! I might even get the grandson involved. I told him he could design an anti-bulling shirt and we would do it with fabric paints. With he and his father could work together on the computer!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Robin!

[@kellieprice8776]

Oooh you could match your tattoo design onto the shoulder and further into your top....the possibilities ❤

[@JenniferElise]

😍🥰This is absolutely brilliant! I cannot wait to see what you do next with flocking and those sleeves are divine! I can't wait to try something out with this method. 🥰😍

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!! I used black flock on red fabric this week and I'm even more in love 🤩

[@kathrynmccarthy]

This dress is so cool! You can really see the Arts and Crafts inspiration. The sleeves are really cool too. I'm looking forward to even more experiments with new materials!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Kathryn!

[@historical.isolde7918]

I must say, I really loved this project. I understans that most of your current sewing interests are very cyber-punk and you are having fun with a lot of different synthetic textures of material, I have missed you vintage 40s projects a lot (which is why I first started following you back in 2020. I am glad you had fun and look forward to more experimentation with your new cutting machine!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! I wanted to do a whole 40's lookbook for last Halloween, but then Arcana got too big and I ran out of time grr

[@KingofWeirdness]

OBSESSED! I would LOVE to see you make a mugler inspired blazer using this technique!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! It will happen eventually for sure ✨

[@kathyjohnson2043]

WOW. And in addition to everything else, those sleeves.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Kathy!

[@trinketsmusings]

Omg...the possibilities with the insect motifs you love? Ha! How exciting!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Sooo many beetles in my future! (in a good way 😅)

[@trinketsmusings]

Can't wait! @@TheClosetHistorian

[@ElaineBakerCreepyCaboodle]

That looks fabulous! I've got a Cricut and I've never even thought of using it for an outfit, other than t-shirts that is. Might be time to give it a go. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! The possibilities are endless 🤩

[@juliemeanor6531]

Wow! Queen of Hearts vibes, off with their heads . Love the color,

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Julie!

[@kylejolley]

That's such a cool design. I wish I had money to start making my own clothes.

[@rachelutter9798]

I really enjoy your smile voice at the end of all your videos, it always makes me smile too 😊

[@julianachandler2975]

Very exciting technique. Thanks for sharing it. The dress is beautiful and reminds me a little of the “queen of hearts” ❤️

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Juliana!

[@ambercolby5527]

I absolutely love my Cricut machine, but I'd never thought of using HTV to make my own textiles! This is an ingenius idea, and of course, the resulting dress is gorgeous. The colors and pattern come together perfectly and I'm so in love with those architectural sleeves - they're reminiscent of some of the fancier sleeves from the Regency era, which as a fan of that time period, I'm delighted to see them! Also, the little peeks of red in the facing is just *chef's kiss* I like to incorporate fun/bold bias tape in my hems (when I can actually remember) as a special little secret, lol. And I would totally wear 'Dusty Aubergine' nail polish!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Amber!!

[@marcco44]

You are a credit to the human race Ms. B!!🌎 Your creativity sparks the imagination!!🔥

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Marcco!!

[@fikanera838]

The design is so gorgeous! It suits the body shape so well! But I'm really in love with the sleeves; they're superb! 🥰

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@mohmeegaik6686]

Thank you Bianca.

[@alexandraleigh]

WOW WOW So Beautiful! The Idea of a Dress that carries your New tattoo pattern across the bodice struck me as you were making the dress

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Alexandra!

[@Zeldur]

🤔 I like this idea. One of my projects is to create an adaptor for a working 3D printer to turn it into a vinyl cutter. I love the embroidered edge look and this could make some really cool results

[@dawsie]

lol I remember when iron on vinyl first came out, it sure has come a long way with all the different affects you can now buy. Defiantly worth a re-visit with so many different affects. I just bought the baby-cricut as I can use it with my iPad still not gotten around to setting up my refurbished PC 😹😹😹 The dress came out stunning ❤❤

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@lindabullock742]

WOW Bianca!..your dress is stunning! What a talent you have…🥰🇦🇺

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Linda!

[@tinaperkins2052]

Love dull purple dress with the decales

[@tambriggs]

A new world of possibilities has opened for me! Great idea, beautiful result. Bravo :)

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!!

[@lupinotuumlunam]

That is a work of art. I could see this having a ton of possibilities.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!!

[@amandakestenbaum9720]

That was fascinating! Lovely to see you design something like that. Hope you will do more.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Amanda!

[@juliejay5436]

It really elevates the look of the dress.

[@coreygilles847]

I love the colors and the designs on this dress ❤

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Corey!

[@HarryLovesRuth]

I did something similar to get white dots on red jersey knit to make a comfy Minnie Mouse dress for my daughter. I found the steam vents on my iron to be a real impediment to getting good adhesion. The clapper is a good idea.

[@jewelsoren7076]

I don't know much about your design but I really like the flow of the dress. Great job. Thsnk you for sharing.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@debbiewakeland605]

Love the idea of vinyl on fabric. The sleeve’s are wonderful.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Debbie!

[@rachellynncreates2703]

That’s lovely! And… I don’t have a cricut but I know someone who does and this has given me so many ideas!

[@HRH_Queen_JoJo]

I'm a Cameo-girl, too! It'll be nice to see how you use the machine.

[@juniperjr2017]

This is so cool! I love the videos where you branch out and do different crafty stuff.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!!

[@Emthe30something]

That dress is flippin gorgeous.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@MariaFrancesca]

That's super cute, and the swirly pattern matches your tattoos so well!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Maria!

[@vincentbriggs1780]

This is so cool! I'd heard of transfer vinyl but I didn't know there were flocked versions of it! I like how the straight lines and swirliboops look a little bit like sheet music. There are a lot of extant waistcoats from around the mid 18th century that have woven to shape patterns, and a lot of them are velvet, so this reminds me a little bit of that. Unrelated, but I'm about halfway through your entire Side Husselin playlist (I need background noise for a big hand sewing project) and it's lovely seeing how far you've come! You've got a lot to be proud of! I'm sure whatever house you end up with will have been worth the wait, and I'm looking forward to the decorating videos. (It's also very encouraging and helping me stay optimistic about my own little channel.)

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Vincent!! One could get super clever with the flock and make very custom cut velvet looking things for sure 🤩

[@emmaberry2532]

Stunning as always, and such a better, more creative way to use a vinyl cutting machine! Pretty excited to see the black on black creations you create in the future 😉

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Emma!

[@LiaThornegge]

Fabulous! It gives me Queen of Heart of Alice in wonderland but in the 50's vibe.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! I have an even more queen of hearts dress coming up soon 😅❤

[@GiraffeLoverJen]

I love this!! I'll definitely try something like this, once I learn how to do the Photoshop part.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Jen! I'll go over the tech bits in more detail soon!

[@diamondslashranch]

This is amazing! There is nothing you can’t do and I am here for it!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@lorrainedraper8346]

What a wonderful idea. I had not thought of trying this, and now my mind is spinning. Thank you - the dress is stunning!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Lorraine!

[@alliraw]

This is amazing!! The colors remind me of one of the older Japanese artworks! So beautiful ❤ I have an old silhouette stuffed in a box somewhere that I was thinking of getting rid of and now I’m inspired to pull it out and design away!!

[@kaytiej8311]

What a cool concept. You're creativity never ceases to amaze me.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Kaytie!

[@charlymicky1722]

Such a beautiful design and it turned out so great! Please more videos about this heat transfer vinyl!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! Will do believe me 😅✨

[@twinnish]

That’s really beautiful all finished up. The fit of that dress is amazing and I love the sleeves and the design is really pretty on the purple. Great job!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@thetrapdoor6194]

The design and dress in general turned out beautifully, and i adore those sleeves 💜🤟

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@birdiebee7449]

This project blew my mind. What a great idea. And gorgeous results as always

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@yokonamigaara]

I put some htv text onto a sweatshirt for a cosplay years ago and now just wear it as a comfy garment, however that vinyl sure has not survived years of wear & wash haha Maybe I need to get some better quality stuff. Also as someone with a graphic design degree I think your method is totally valid for a project like this! If it works it works, and not doing vector lends to the organic inspiration

[@cljeans8399]

Bianca, your creativity! I love everything about this dress and cannot wait to see what else you will be designing with this...especially the black on black on black.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@nicholasn.]

Brilliant as usual ... ! Thank goodness for you 🏳️‍🌈

[@npdesign8202]

Brilliant !! Being able to customize not only your pattern but also the fabric...Wow! Also the software used with the Cameo Silhouette is far more adaptable then the Cricut software. As a graphic designer I wouldn't us anything else! Fantastic!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! I already speak some Silhouette so I felt much more confident diving back in 😂

[@stephaniecollins6052]

I've thought of using HTV and my cricut to create a custom printed skirt. I got a green dot/circle printed fabric, and want multicolored circles

[@TayaSews]

This is so gorgeous and... Expressive? It makes your ink sing too 😊

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Taya!

[@criticalmaz1609]

So cool! So pretty! I may need to binge-watch all of your content to give me the inspiration to finish my pumpkin dress. (Halloween never ends in my heart)

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! It is always a good time for Halloween!

[@lynn858]

It's gorgeous! And I don't need more ideas! I have a too many ideas and not enough time as it is! :) I picked up about 20 sheets of assorted HTV for $1 from a place that sells returns/deadstock/broken packs of stuff. It came with instructions for some of it - the metallic. The rest is could be a different brand for all I know. No package, no instructions. I don't need cutter settings as I'm cutting by hand (it's an aesthetic), but knowing that it can be meant for different types of fabric... that helps! The experiments with some of it have been very successful - and some (also solid colour and probably the some original package as the ones I've had work really well - but maybe not?) I could only get it to sort of bond - after multiple rounds of heat. I'll keep it around in case it tests out really well on a different fabric.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Lynn! I am lucky that I have had quite a bit of experience with the various materials, but they can be quite diverse for sure!

[@JoanneShipston-cl4zj]

Gorgeous - and it really suits your complexion. Very beautiful indeed.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Joanne!

[@fdonn9441]

Thanks you so much. I just got given a cricut and was looking for vinyl ideas for a dress. T-shirts are not my thing either. 😊

[@marathorne6821]

How exciting! 😀 It turned out great. Can't wait to see what you do next 😄

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Mara!

[@Hippiechick11]

Absolutely gorgeous! And I had (in the past) a pair of purple shoes. I now have another pair because the first ones wore out. Hope you can find a pair! I'm so glad I found your channel.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@bethknapp4935]

Gorgeous! I absolutely love the design you came up with, and that color looks amazing on you! I am so excited to see what else you come up with. Btw, those sleeves are everything!!!!! ❤

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Beth!!

[@tenaoconnor7510]

So beautiful. Neet sleeves. Reminds me of art Nouveau or Art Deco style 😻😻😻 love that color Dusty aubergine 😊 cool name

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Tena!

[@s.maskell7134]

OH, WOW! That's just gorgeous.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@AkaiHimawari]

I’m laughing at myself for recognizing that fabric from Mood from your thumbnail alone 😂 I have a fabric problem… Thank you for being the push for me making my own block! I had the same book as you (picked up during a garage sale) but I didn’t quite understand it (plus the used book notes in there were…distracting? Made me confused or think drafting was more complicated?). Your block series broke down the instructions in a way that made more sense to me. I’m kicking myself for not doing this before but it’s been an absolute gamechanger for my sewing and I credit it all to you!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

I am so happy to hear this! The textbook format really makes drafting more intimating than it needs to be!!

[@michellecornum5856]

I LOVE DUSTY AUBERGINE! A million years ago when I was first in college, I only had access to some powdered paints in red, yellow, and blue, but the way they blended together!!!!! My purple was a dusty aubergine, my green was a dark emerald, and my orange was definitely pumpkin spice. This is FANTASTIC looking. Absolutely Fabulous! Pains taking, but FABULOUS!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Michelle! Dusty colors always truly 🤩

[@shirliepriestley8761]

Beautiful, i don’t have any other words honestly

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Shirlie!

[@blackhellebore89]

This is incredible! Starts looking thoughtfully at Cricut machine

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!! I had been waiting so long to play with these ideas 😂✨

[@molnotmole3428]

Super excited for your surface design projects!

[@michaelc3782]

Such a great dress. Love the design. Can't wait to see what you do next

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@jessicanielsen7831]

Oh my goodness!! You look amazing! The design is so cool! Well done Gorgeous ❤

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Jessica!

[@carmenfringer4740]

Oh my... very nice. You have such a creative mind. This design is amazing.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Carmen!

[@daseineschaf]

The sleeves are awesome! And the design too, of course :D

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@secretfox8940]

That is so beautiful. It reminds me of sheet music.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! 🎼

[@CharredFibers]

OMG STAHP!!!! I love this so much. Looks so great!!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank youu!!!

[@sweet68pea]

i love your hair style you always seem so professional and beautifully put together

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! It is only movie magic 😅✨

[@roxannelawrence8962]

Absolutely stunning! Love your tattooed sleeve. Also love that you use the old Singer!!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Roxanne! I can never go back to a non-iron machine, the old ones are too good!!

[@wendymalik6784]

Love your fabric design. It has a couture look to it. ❤

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Wendy!