To customize curtains, tablecloths and even sheets as well as clothes and accessories, you can apply the stencil technique. It's an easy way to copy a design over and over without printing, and it doesn't require expensive tools. It has been a pretty popular home technique for years now.
Steps
Step 1. Choose your fabric very carefully
Check for a stain-resistant finish. If you can wash it first you will know that you have removed any treatment that would prevent the dye from adhering. Do not use fabric softener. For your first project, try to avoid soft or floating fabrics that are too difficult to hold tight. The color will obviously affect that of the tint so no dark stuff unless you want a "velvet Elvis" effect!
Step 2. Prepare everything you will need
- To make your stencil out of acetate you will need a drawing or photocopy of a pattern, a glass plate and a small scalpel-like knife.
- To get it from paper instead, print a drawing from your PC and cut out the template. This method is quick and inexpensive even though the stencil may not take more than a couple of uses.
- To paint with a custom or purchased stencil, you will need special fabric paints to be washed and dry cleaned. They will need to dry for 24 hours and be hot set. Non-toxic water-based ones can be found in home improvement stores.
- If you are adapting a design, make sure it works as a stencil. Design it well, think about how to cut it out and how to laminate it. If you have a lot of intersecting lines, you will need to do at least two layers of stencil, which will require special attention in matching the lines
Step 3. Attach the original to the glass with the design face down
Turn the glass over so you can see the design and attach the plastic to the glass on top of the design.
Step 4. Carefully cut out the stencil along the lines of the original
You will likely find that it is easier to trim accurately if you push the blade slowly towards you. Turn the glass over if necessary. If you make a mistake, you can fix it with a piece of duct tape.
Step 5. Prepare the color
Don't stretch it unless it's really too thick - an elongated color will drip at the edges. If you want it lighter, add some white or use the clear stencil technique.
Step 6. Test the colors and your painting skills on a piece of fabric
Make sure the brush is well dipped but not too much. An overly loaded brush of color will spread it over the edges of the stencil. The aim is to use the best technique with a color that is uniform but not dense.
Step 7. Apply the tint by tapping gently, holding the brush straight
Don't do the classic brush strokes. This way the tint will not pass the edges of the stencil. If your pattern seems to lift as you paint it, use an awl or a Chinese wand OR even masking tape to hold it in place as you pass the dye.
Enter as many colors as you want before lifting the stencil. Once you move it, it will be virtually impossible to put it back in its exact position
Step 8. When finished, carefully lift the stencil
The color should be dry to the touch, but it is best to leave it on for 24 hours.
Step 9. After 24 hours, iron the fabric on the back to set the color using maximum heat
Step 10. Finished
Advice
- Natural fabrics with a smooth surface work best. Buy some more to test and practice first.
- If you see small areas where the tint is too light or if the edges are choppy or uneven when you lift the stencil, you can do a touch-up with a brush. This choice is feasible with minor problems because the color will still be slightly different.
- The thinner the acetate you use to cut out the stencil the easier it will be, but in this case you will have a very fragile stencil. Use the thinnest one for the first project.
- If you notice a drop of color when finished, let it dry and carefully scrape it off with the scalpel.
- If you can't find the fabric color or you don't like it, acrylic is just as good; plus you don't even need to fix it hot. However, remember that it will discolour with each wash. You will need to wash the fabric by hand with soap. It will also be less flexible than the other color, especially if you dye a stretch fabric.
- If you really enjoy working with stencils, you might want to buy a stencil cutter. It has an electrically heated tip, a kind of ballpoint pen that cuts through even the thickest plastic quickly and with much less effort than a scalpel.
- Try mixing colors. For example, paint the center of pink with a light gold and mix it with orange to create petals with the dry brush technique.
- If the color ends up where it shouldn't on the fabric, wash it immediately and blow dry it. If the colors aren't too dark, you can wash the entire stencil and start over but don't wait!
- For an inexpensive and easy solution, you can print the design on plain paper, then laminate it before cutting.
Warnings
- Don't fix the color with heat too soon. The dye may appear dry but may spread.
- The stencil coloring technique is easy to learn but can be tiring if the project is large. The first cause of color spots is fatigue. Relax!
- If you use acrylic dye instead of fabric dye you have to be very careful because mistakes don't wash away.
