Deco mesh is a versatile, water-resistant plastic that is most used to make wreaths. It’s available in different textures, colors, styles, and sizes. In the wreathing world, they’re loved since you can use it to create anything your mind can imagine.
But before you can start creating wreaths with your deco mesh, it’s essential to learn how to cut it. If this is information, you’ve been searching for, here is a detailed guide on the steps to follow when cutting the deco mesh using a soldering iron.
By following these steps, you’ll have a deco mesh that is neatly cut and doesn’t have any sloppy edges due to the incredible precision achieved by the soldering iron.
Steps To Cut The Deco Mesh Using The Soldering Iron
Step 1 – Get A Soldering Iron With A Broad Tip
Whereas a standard soldering iron that has a pointed tip will do the job, it’s best if you used one that has a broad and flat tip resembling that of a screwdriver. The reason for this is that this kind of tip gets the job done quicker.
Step 2 – Switch On The Soldering Iron
The next step is heating your soldering iron. How long this takes differs, and it usually depends on the type of soldering iron you’re using, that is, either battery-operated or plugged into the wall. As you wait for the device to heat up, proceed to the next step.
Step 3 – Place Your Deco Mesh On A Firm, Heat-Safe Surface
Measure the deco mesh’s exact size you want to cut and place it on a hard and heat-safe surface. After doing this, take your soldering iron, which by now should be hot enough to cut across the deco mesh smoothly.
It’s best to avoid using scissors to cut the deco mesh since this will cause it to fray. You should also confirm that the surface where you place the deco mesh is hard, or else cutting through the deco mesh using your soldering iron won’t be possible. Likewise, to avoid possible fire, you should place the deco mesh on a heat-safe surface when cutting it.
Step 4 – Press The Soldering Iron’s Tip On The Deco Mesh
When cutting the deco mesh with the soldering iron, make sure its wider edge tip is parallel to the mesh. By doing this, you’ll increase the surface area to be cut. Consequently, give the soldering rod several seconds for its tip to melt all the fibers of the deco mesh.
Because the deco mesh features widthwise and lengthwise fibers, you should position the soldering iron’s tip between the two widthwise fibers when cutting it. And as you cut, move the soldering rod back and forth to ensure it properly cuts through the mesh. As you cut the deco mesh, it’s best to start at its edges either on the right or left side.
Step 6 – Cut Across The Deco Mesh
You should gently pass the tip of the soldering iron across the mesh towards the un-cut section. As you do this, make sure to press it firmly in position while moving it back and forth as it cuts through the mesh. The heat generated by the soldering iron will result in the melting and separation of the fibers, while simultaneously preventing fraying and the hot plastic from binding to itself.
How To Make A Deco Mesh Angel
Now that you know how to cut a deco mesh, you can make several items, depending on your preference. One of these items is a deco mesh angel, which is relatively straightforward. The steps to follow when making it are;
- Cut the deco mesh into 12 squares and if you want a bigger angel, make sure to cut bigger squares. An ideal size you should choose should be cutting 10 x 12 inches from a longer roll. As you do this, prevent the deco mesh from fraying by placing the soldering iron’s tip on it.
- Stretch the mesh from one corner to another. After doing this, pick up the deco mesh from the center and gold it using one hand, repeating this 12 times.
- Cut the pipe cleaner into half and then pick one piece and later bind it around the center of your mesh squares while holding them in position. After doing this, start twisting the pipe cleaner and let it stick up from the deco mesh. This is the part you’ll attach the head.
- On the opposite side of the pipe cleaning sticking upwards, move six squares towards the bottom. After this, cover another pipe cleaner around the end and these squares while the pipe cleaner is towards the back. You can now place aside your angel for a moment.
- Take out from your ornament the ornament hanger and add some glue on the upper side of the ornament. After doing this, place it over a pipe cleaner and firmly hold it into position until the head and pipe cleaner is held firmly. If there’s a need, you can add more glue around the angel’s neck on its outer side to firmly hold the head in position.
- Design a decorative cover that has ribbons by slicing three square ribbon pieces. After doing this, proceed to cut a v on a single side of every piece.
- Collect the ribbon from the side opposite to the v and choose to wrap in a pipe cleaner over the top or glue it gathered up to secure it using the glue.
- You can now proceed to paint the wooden heart and then place the heart.
- At the back of the wooden heart, glue together the collected ribbon. You can also opt to use a pipe cleaner and fix it to an angel and once you’re done, glue the heart to the angel’s front.
Conclusion
The deco mesh is a popular material used in making wreaths, and when looking to cut it, the soldering rod is the best option. If you had no idea where to start, reading this detailed article has taken you through the steps when cutting the deco mesh using a soldering iron. With this information in mind, you no longer will have trouble cutting the mesh into the desired shape and size.
