I would so greatly appreciate any help. I have watched a dozen different tutorials on this and I am so frustrated as to why I can't cut the letters out of the background image. I think I've put the letters to paths. I've tried making the letters grouped through union and ungrouped and a single letter at a time. I've tried with the letters on top and underneath the image, I've tried difference, mask, clip, inverses. I've looked at layers, unlocked it. I know I'm doing something stupid, but can't figure out what. I'm a 50 year old trying to learn this new program to make t shirts for my youth group's bible quizzing team and it's been a challenge! Thanks!

I can show show how to clip text in your attachment - but the final is a mess of group, masks, unnecessary stuff etc I won't clean up for you.

Hi, BoldlyHis. If you can wait, in about 11 hours, after my work ends, I will look at this, and see if I can post here some more svg material that should help. Have a great day.

And also ... for what its worth ...

The Difference path operation only works on fill data. It doesn’t work on lines/strokes.

Path > Difference cuts the entire bottom object by the path of the top object.

Path > Cut Path  only cuts the bottom object's stroke and removes any fill (this is convenient for cutting fill-less strokes into pieces).

In order to use an 0bject as a reference for cutting a segment from a stroke, use  Path > Cut Path with both objects selected.
 

Thank you so much for your help!

Hi, BoldyHis.

I also am a Christian and I am glad to help. (BTW, I like your name here.)

Please open the jpg file to see my mini-instructions of what is on the attached svg file. I think it is pretty much self-explanatory. But if you need more details, please ask away.

Also, if you want any possible assistance with your overall design, let me know. But please be specific in what you are after, or about any  problems you are encountering.

If you wish, you could share the entire project, as that may he helpful, if I need to get into the nitty gritty of things. I promise not to misuse, sell, or profit from anything you share. (If you wish, you do this sharing through a different email address, and I could reply back in a way you can be assured is from me.)

So, as you have need, let me know if there is more in which I can help.

Stay strong in the Lord. Be faithful and grateful, my brother.

Thanks Ken, I really appreciate your help. Also, it's very generous of you to offer your time for even further help! I may get back with you on that. Grace and peace to you.