How to Create Your Very Own Stenciled Items

A Step-by-Step Tutorial by Amber Jackson

This tutorial will show you how to create your very own stenciled items. My sample is a set of cupcake kitchen towels, but you can personalize t-shirts or create your own fabric art or make whatever you want!

Begin by gathering your supplies. You will need the following items for this project:-the item that you will be stenciling on -fabric paint -the image you are stenciling -paintbrushes-scissors -cutting mat (to protect your work surface from-X-acto knife (or similar sharp craft blade) the X-acto blade)-freezer paper -cardboard (to protect your work surface from-iron paint bleeds)

Next you should select the image that you want to stencil. You can print out an image from the internet like I did, or get really creative and draw your own. Remember to only create stencils from images that you have permission to use; I suggest www.stencilry.org for a huge selection of free stencils.

You will need to cut a sheet of freezer paperto fit in your printer if you plan to use an image printed from the internet. Print yourimage on the matte side of the freezer paper. If you plan to draw your image, then draw it directly onto a sheet of freezer paper. You will see why this is important when we move on to the next steps.

Next take your X-acto knife or other craft blade and begin cutting out your image. Be careful—the blade is sharp! Use a cutting mat to protect your work surface fromthe blade.

Continue cutting until you have cut out all of the shapes. Be mindful of the lines thatyou will want to transfer onto your finished project. In my case, I want to transfer theblack lines to my finished object, so that is the part that I cut away.

When you are finished cutting, carefully arrange all of your pieces onto your surface withthe shiny side of the freezer paper against your work surface. The matte side should be facing up. When you are happy with your arrangement, iron all of the pieces into placewith a warm iron. The freezer paper will fuse onto your fabric and hold it in place like magic!

You should now be able to see that the black lines we cut away will be the part thatwe are painting. This is the fun part! Use a sponge brush to apply paint to largeareas and use a smaller brush for detail areas. Remember to use a piece of heavypaper or cardboard to protect your work surface from any paint that might bleed through your fabric. Once you are finished painting, allow it to dry for a few hours and carefully peel away the freezer paper.

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VOILA!! You have just made your very own stenciled fabric item. You are ready to showoff your handiwork to your friends and family. Use your detail brush if you see any areasthat need to be touched up.

Congratulations on a job well done!

THE END