The Complete Masterclass On Designing

And Cutting Using Your Cutting Machine

Course Currently Closed. Next course Summer 2023

Is your Silhouette still sitting in the box?

Time to get it out and start creating!

Have you ever thought:

I’m not sure where to begin.
I don’t know what the software tools do.
I have so many ideas, but I don’t know where to start.
There is so much to learn, and it is all so overwhelming.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Get what you need to:

Understand the software and its capabilities
See a variety of design ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Get over the fear of your machine.
Start creating.

Get Out of Your Own Way

Sometimes, taking the first steps to get started creating can be so scary, and it’s because we make things more complicated than they have to be. You might not even know you’re doing this, but we all do it. Choosing to make this step is just the beginning to getting out of your own way.

1) Show up.
2) Begin.
3) And stay with it.

You just need to START.

The Design to Cut Master Class makes it simple.

What you'll learn:
*How to set your software and document preferences
*How to download, unzip, and install a font
*How to use various tools including the Shape Tools, Drawing Tool, Text Tool, and Alignment Tools
*How to turn basic shapes into more complicated designs
*How to resize, mirror, and save a design
&How to Trace a hand drawn or bitmap design
*How to cut and weed your design
...and more!

Course includes:

Step-by-Step Videos

Printable Handouts

Unlimited Access to Course Materials

Private Facebook group just for students of this course!

Your class will be available 24/7 FOREVER from your course home page.

Your class does not expire.

Course curriculum

Introduction to Inkscape

Designing with Inkscape Shape Tools

Live Zoom Session

Designing with Inkscape Eraser Tool

Using Silhouette Trace Function

Live Zoom Session

Cutting Your Designs

Bonus Lessons

Live Zoom Session

Angie E Knowles

I am a mixed media textile artist. My passion for learning and teaching is just as strong as my passion for making art, if not more so. My art comes from my desire to learn new things, to figure out solutions, to explore new ideas .

Once I've learned and figured it out, I am committed to sharing that knowledge with others. That is what I do here at Surface Design Academy.

Why enroll in this course?

move past your fear of your cutting machine

acquire basic skills for designing for the cutting machine

learn what to do when things don't go as planned

What Other Students Have To Say

Angie provided a good basic understanding of how to use the Inkscape drawing program. She covered basic drawing tools concepts clearly, and patiently answered any questions her students had. I am looking forward to continuing this journey of becoming proficient at cutting my own designs with Angie’s expert instruction. I plan to participate in the more advanced version of this workshop. I highly recommend taking Angie’s "Design 2 Cut" workshop if you are interested in getting the most out of your cutting machine.


Aida S.
Textile Artist
Angie's 3 day bootcamp was just what I needed to teach me how to get started using my cutting machine with my own designs. I had previously only used it briefly for purchased stencil cutting but I knew other artists, including Angie, design their own and I had to find out how! Angie walked us through the free Inkscape software to create a simple design and then get that design into the cutting machine software to cut it out.




Sue R.
Textile Artist
Whether this is your first project or you just need someone to hold your hand while you work through the process, Angie is there for you. She was so calm, very encouraging, and doesn't allow me to feel overwhelmed. Treat yourself to Angie's gentle teaching!










Susan L.
Textile Artist

Frequently Asked Questions

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person.

The only background you need is basic computer knowledge.

It is advisable to view the video content in order, but you are free to jump around as you feel the need to.

There are 6 modules and 3 live Zoom sessions.  The total time allotted for the course is 9 weeks.

A cutting machine for this course would be helpful.  If you are not ready to invest in one just yet, them my Design 2 Cut Bootcamp course may best for you.  That way you can get an introduction to the machines without a lot of monetary investment in a course.

This course is applicable for all machines.  The skills you will learn are not machine specific.

You will be able to access this course for as long and for as many times as you need to.

No, this is a paid course and I request that you respect my intellectual property and not share this course, but instead , feel free to recommend this course to your friends