Foiled Easter Sliceform

Make a  DIY Foiled Easter Sliceform centerpiece with the free cutting template. Use your electronic cutter and a Foil Quill (or metallic pen) to create this lovely design.

You will find the SVG, PVGC, FCM and PDF cutting files for this project in the FREE Resource Library. Download the free cutting files.  You can right click on the file link, and select Save Link As or Save Target As. Save it to your computer. When the download is complete, double click on the downloaded file and select Extract All. Then open your preferred cutting software, and import the cutting file. There is one file that contains all the design pieces. If you are using a Scan N Cut machine, use the FCM file.  If you are cutting by hand, use the PDF file.  Those using Pazzles InVue software will use the PVGC file. All others should use the SVG file.

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Import the Design into Your Cutter Software

This design contain two cutting pieces and a grouped set of lines for foiling or drawing.  You will use the draw function of your software to foil or draw the lines on your cardstock. Then you will cut out the two pieces for the sliceform. The green lines are for foiling or drawing, and the yellow lines are for cutting.

Screen shot of drawing and cutting lines.

When you click on the green lines, if all pieces are selected, right click and select Ungroup. Then you should be able to select the green lines and assign them to Draw in your software.  Make sure that your foil quill is heating up while you prepare your paper on your cutting mat. It needs to preheat for at least 5 minutes.

Select the Proper Type of Foil for use with the Foil Quill to make this Foiled Easter Sliceform

If you are not using the foil that came with the Foil Quill set, make sure you are using the correct type of foil.  Not all foil will work with the Foil Quill.  Specifically, avoid foils designed to be used with toner sheets  and laminators. Check this list when in doubt about the foils you have. I have successfully used foil from WRMK, and CraftersCompanion.

Set Up the Foil Quill (or pen) in Your Machine

Select the appropriate adapter for you cutting machine, and screw it onto the Foil Quill. Adapter A is for Silhouette machines such as the Cameo. It also works on the Pazzles Inspiration or Pazzles Vue. Use Adapter B with Scan N Cut machines. The adapter for Cricut machines or Pazzles machines is C.  Adapter D works with Sizzix Eclips machines.  If you are using a Cricut Explore or Maker with two tool slots, you will need to remove the pen holder from the tool slot on the left. To do that, hold the head firmly with one hand, and push up gently from the bottom of the pen holder to pop it out.  Next, place the Foil Quill into the slot.

Foil Quill installed in the Cricut Maker.

Plug the Foil Quill into a Power Source

Plug in the cord of the Foil Quill into a USB power source.  You may use a USB power adapter for a phone in a standard power outlet. Or you can plug the cord into a USB port on your computer. I purchased a USB extension cord from Dollar Tree, because the cord was too short to reach to my computer USB Port.  If you are using the Cricut Maker, you can plug the cord into the USB port on the right side of the machine.  Do not plug your Foil Quill cord to the USB port on a Scan N Cut machine. USB data ports on cutters will not provide the necessary power for the Foil Quill.  Use a standard power supply or computer USB port.

Cricut Maker USB Power Port

Preheat the Foil Quill

The Foil Quill needs to be plugged into a power source for at least 5 minutes prior to use.  A light at the top of the quill turns on when the Foil Quill is properly plugged in. Make sure that the cord will not be in the way of the moving mat or cutting head on the cutter.  Also, ensure that the tip of the heating foil quill is not touching your mat, or paper, or other flammables while heating.

Paper Selection

Heavier paper works better with this file as the completed project needs to stand on its own. Use cardstock that is at least 80#, and preferably 100# or 110# . The paper should be the same on both sides.  Since this design is very intricate, be sure to do test cuts to determine the best blade depth and pressure. Cut with a slow speed.  See this article for more tips on doing test cuts. 

Prepare to Foil and Cut

While the foil quill is preheating you can prepare your paper and foil. Place the cardstock on the cutting mat.  Cut a piece of adhesive foil that is at least one inch larger than the lines to be drawn.  Since  the line portion of my design is 4″ x 4″,  I cut my foil at 5″ square.  Cut strips of low-tack tape such as blue painter’s tape into narrow pieces. You can use  a craft knife and ruler on a mat to cut strips of tape that are about 1/4″ wide and 5″ long.  Place the foil on  the paper at least 1″ down from the top of the mat, and 1″ in from the edge of the mat.

Position of the design on the virtual mat

Place a tape strip on one edge of the foil to hold it in place. Then smooth out the foil, and place another narrow strip of tape on the opposite side. Repeat with the other two sides of the foil.

Foil taped to paper on the mat.

Foiling or Drawing and Cutting your Project

Import the Easter sliceform design into your cutter software.  Position the design lines in the software in a position corresponding to where you placed the  paper and foil on the cutting mat. Select the green lines . Make sure that these lines are set to Draw.  Send the design to Draw and Cut.  If using Cricut Design Space, click on Make it. Set the media to lightweight chipboard if using 110# cardstock, and select More. If using 80# or 100# cardstock, select heavy cardstock in your media settings, and More.  If your machine has speed options, set it to Slow. Use the blade settings that worked best during your test cuts.

The machine should draw first.  Watch the machine as it works drawing the design lines with the foil quill. When the drawing is complete, pause the machine either in the software or using the Pause button on the machine. Remove the foil and tape without moving the mat or the cutting head.  Then resume cutting by pressing the pause button again.

Remove the Foiled and Cut Design from the Mat

When foiling and cutting are complete, unload the mat. Remove the cut shapes very carefully from the mat. The intricate design might tear if you are not very careful.  Some of the tiny lattice detail may stick to the mat. Use a poker tool to remove any remaining pieces away from the Foiled Easter Sliceform.

Detailed cut shape

Assemble the Foiled Easter Sliceform

The yellow design pieces both have notches at the top and bottom. She smaller piece slides inside of the larger piece.  The notch at the top outside of this smaller piece slides into the opening above the cross on the other piece, and into the notch there.   The bottom right edge of the smaller piece slides through the long slot below the bottom of the cross, Slightly curve the open edge of the smaller piece to pass it through the top opening of the S.

Putting the two sliceform pieces together.

Slide the bottom opening of the smaller piece down to the bottom of the opening of the larger piece.   Unfold the two pieces so that they form a 90 degree angle.  The bottoms of both pieces should line up perfectly so that it will stand on its own.

Sliding the bottoms of the two pieces together.

Foiled Easter Sliceform Completed!

Now it is your turn! Share the with your friends on Facebook. I would love to see what you make with the Foiled Easter Sliceform template.

Foiled Easter Sliceform

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Julie