How to Make an Easy Low Cost Stencil
by
Kaye
5 Materials
$10
10 Hours
Easy
As we live in Wisconsin, I have to adjust to winter and work on skills for use after the Great Freeze. I like to stencil on wood but have found that stencils can be quite expensive.
To increase variety and reduce cost, I decided to try making stencils myself. To test how they worked, I made stenciled pillow for my horse crazy granddaughter.
I printed three horse silhouettes on my home computer. Something to remember: when selecting images to use to make stencils be sure all areas of the stencil can be cut out and will remain with the stencil.
I was able to hand paint the missing areas after stenciling them in, but on wood or a painted surface, this would be a real problem.
Allow the printout a few few minutes to dry completely. Carefully apply a Clear Full Sheet label made by Avery Products. (These are available at most office supply stores or online.) The backing sheet works well to rub/push out remaining tiny air pockets.
Next, I used an X-acto knife to carefully cut around the image. My Teflon cutting board helped keep the edges smooth.
Painters tape kept the entire stencil from moving. I could not use spray adhesive on the fabric so I used tape rolls to hold down the edges of the stencil.
I am going to try rolling tape instead of spray adhesive as removing the adhesive can be a bit of a problem.
Mixing Gesso clear media with the acrylic paint was very helpful in preventing paint from spreading under the edges of the stencil. I was also very careful to tamp straight up and down.
I slipped a paper grocery bag under the cloth before stenciling to prevent bleed through onto the counter. Due to the Gesso, much of the paint stayed absorbed in the fabric.
After 24 hours drying time, I used a paint brush to touch up the images.
My granddaughter loves Appaloosas so I dabbed spots one horse with a sponge and antique white acrylic paint. My husband nudged me into painting a blaze on the nose of one horse. Luckily my granddaughter isn't critical of grandma's work.
The pillow seemed a little plain so I grabbed some brown yarn and made tassels for each corner.
Thanks for reading.
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Comments
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4 of 9 comments
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I will definately be Trying something like this
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Would love to see it when done!
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You did a fantastic job! I do want to try using stencils now! Thank you for sharing such a great idea!
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Thank you! I am happy you are inspired. I love looking at others posts for ideas as well.
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Frequently asked questions
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Can these stencils be used on as wall? Tape and paint?