Stenciling is a fun, simple and inexpensive way to personalize everything from napkins to pillows. NikkiDesign products work great for this project because they are made from organic materials, are already pre-washed and come in solid colors. You can create a single image or duplicates following these easy instructions without needing to purchase any expensive equipment.
Check out the Nikki Designs Etsy site for many products perfect for stenciling! Below are just a few examples of what you can purchase.
You will need:
Textile paint, stencil brush, scissors or X-Acto knife, fabric and stencil material (paper, cardboard, plastic etc).
Preparation:
Tape the edges of the fabric you are going to stencil onto a flat surface like a table. Make sure it lays flat! Place a piece of cardboard or something similar between the fabric you are stenciling and the surface it is on or if you’re stenciling, say, a shirt, the cardboard should go in between the back and front of the shirt. This prevents paint from leaking through.
Making the stencil:
You may purchase a stencil or make your own. There are many different materials you can use for the stencil, the most common being a plastic report cover, parchment paper or cardboard. Whatever you choose to use, you want it to be sturdy so that the paint doesn’t soak through as well as easy to cut. Draw the shape you want onto the material you’ve chosen and cut it out with either scissors or an X-Acto knife. Tape the stencil to the fabric.
Applying the paint:
Place a small amount of paint in a plastic dish (yogurt container lids work well). To get the right amount of paint on your brush, dab it 3-4 times in the paint. Remember, it’s easier to apply more paint than it is to take away! A flat, round brush works best and it should be dry, not wet. Dot the brush on a paper towel to get rid of any excess paint. Now you want to dab and/or swirl the paint onto the fabric. If your fabric is still, swirling will work great where as if the fabric tends to move, dabbing will be better.
Finishing:
When done, carefully remove the stencil, lifting it slowly away from the fabric. Let the fabric dry for at least 24 hours. You may wash the fabric with mild soap either by hand or on the lowest cycle of your washing machine. Make sure to dry on low and do not dry clean. When ironing, cover the stenciled part of the fabric with a cloth.
For more tips, instructions and ideas visit…
WikiHow
Making This Home
Suite101
