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How to work with FIMO leather-effect: Tips and tricks

How to work with FIMO leather-effect: Tips and tricks

Crafting with modelling clay can be as simple as it is versatile. FIMO leather-effect offers the advantage that the material can continue to be shaped and worked on, even after 30 minutes of hardening in the oven at 130°C. Whether cutting, perforating, gluing, punching or plotting – creative crafters can experiment to their heart’s content. After hardening, items crafted from FIMO leather-effect are robust yet flexible enough to be turned into unique creations. There are no limits to your imagination!

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DIY crafting guide for FIMO modelling clay with leather effect after hardening

Depending on the idea you have in mind, there are a variety of techniques for crafting with FIMO. Step by step, these techniques can be combined to achieve the end result. The following basic options are available:

PurposeMethod
Creating a specific shape from FIMO leather-effectCutting or punching
Applying a pattern to FIMO leather-effectPlotting
Inserting press studsPerforating
Joining different elementsGluing

As long as you have the right tool and know how to use it, you can work with the hardened leather-like sheets created with FIMO leather-effect however you like. Find out here what you need to know about each technique in our step-by-step guide.

Cutting out FIMO leather-effect

After the modelling clay has been rolled out and hardened in the oven, it takes the shape of a rectangular sheet. You just need a few tools to create the desired shape:

Cutting out FIMO leather-effect

To achieve precise cutting results, we recommend tracing the desired motif on the sheet of FIMO leather-effect with a water-soluble pen . Once all the motifs and shapes have been cut out, you can simply wipe off any visible lines with a damp cloth.

Gluing FIMO leather-effect

After cutting, FIMO leather-effect is ready for the next steps. In many cases, individual parts can simply be glued together to create the finished piece. In this case, a strong yet flexible gel-like instant adhesive is ideal. This way, it only takes a few moments for the pieces of FIMO leather-effect to stick together.

Gluing FIMO leather-effect

Punching FIMO leather-effect

If you want to make shapes from the hardened sheets without laboriously tracing and cutting out them, you can use a shape punch. There are plenty of shapes to choose from that will appeal to crafters of any age:

  • Hearts
  • Sun, moon, and stars
  • Four-leaf clovers
  • Flowers
  • Animals
  • And more.
Punching FIMO leather-effect

Of course, the sheet must be the right thickness to be used with a shape punch. Generally, we recommend rolling out FIMO leather-effect as thinly as possible before hardening to make it easier to work with later. This not only applies to punching, but also cutting and plotting.

Plotting FIMO leather-effect

For an added touch of finesse, you can use a plotter. This type of cutting machine is controlled via software or a touch display. As well as paper, card, and real leather, plotters intended for crafting can also be used with FIMO leather-effect. You can choose from various techniques:

  • Cutting
  • Embossing
  • Piercing
Plotting FIMO leather-effect
Plotting FIMO leather-effect

For all three methods, the FIMO sheet must first be fixed to the plotter mat as securely as possible. This works best with a strong adhesive film between the sheet and the mat and masking tape around the edges. You then just need to feed the mat into the plotter and start the automatic cutting process – the rest takes care of itself.

Tip: For plotting with FIMO leather-effect, we recommend the Brother ScanNCut SDX1200 and the Cricut Maker.

Perforating FIMO leather-effect

If you don’t want to create shapes or patterns and just want to punch a few holes in the sheet, a simple hole punch is will do the job. This way you can easily adjust the radius of the holes. Once you’ve punched the individual holes, you can attach press studs to the hardened piece of FIMO leather-effect, for example. To do this, place the two parts of the stud fastening on either side of the hole and press them firmly together using press stud pliers. This lets you create original accessories in a leather look in minutes, including:

Perforating FIMO leather-effect

There are also many ways you can work with FIMO leather-effect once it has been hardened. You can create jewellery and decorative items, as well as practical everyday objects. So, crafters can not only save money, but always have a unique gift idea at the ready.

Tip: For those with a flair for textiles, FIMO leather-effect can also be sewn. This can be done by hand or with a sewing machine.

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