Partial Die Cut Technique

 Partial Die Cut Technique

1. Trace around a stitched scalloped rectangle with a pencil. You can use any die you'd like and size that works for your card. 

2. Stamp the small magnolia overhanging the top and bottom of the rectangle. Stamp the greeting. I stamped some extra leaves hanging off the side. Those will not overhang when we cut the scalloped rectangle. It is easier to keep the overhang to one or two sides.

3. Lay the coordinating magnolia die over your stamped image. Trace with a pencil up to the scalloped rectangle line. This is a guide for you when placing your cutting plates.

This is what your image looks like. Now we can do our partial die cuts to make our layered die cut.

4. Lay the magnolia die down on the image for the top cut. Use washi tape or removable tape to secure the die in place. 

5. Place your cutting plate. We are going to place the edge where that die meets the line for the scalloped rectangle. You may have to adjust if your plate has a beveled edge. You may have to turn your paper to get it to line up better. You're only putting the plate over the part you want to cut.  

6. Remove the magnolia die and lay it over the magnolia hanging over on the bottom of the scalloped rectangle. Flip your piece around so the part your cutting goes through first. It's easier to control the plate this way. Line up the plate just as you did for the first cut. You're only putting the plate over the die where you want it to cut. Angle your paper so the plate meets on both sides where the rectangle outline is. 

This is what it should look like when you put the die off. It's partially cut only to the scalloped line.

7. Place the stitched scalloped rectangle die over your pencil lines. Hold it in place with washi tape or removable tape. You're going to line your cutting plate up just as you did to cut the magnolias. The plate edge should line up with where you want it to stop cutting.

This is what the piece will look like after the first cut with the scalloped rectangle. I don't normally take the tape off at this stage but did so to show you the process.

8. Flip your piece around so the edge you want to cut is at the top. Line up you plate with the cuts on the magnolias. The leaves hanging over will be cut off. 

Here's your piece after you cut the last side. 

9. Erase your pencil marks. I use a hi-polymer eraser. Now color and your partial die cut is ready to use.

Have fun with this technique. Try different dies and stamps and have fun.