Ahh ok this is my first tutorial, and my first time posting pics in the blog
tonite i only had time to print, trace and cut the stencil, more pics will follow later.
STEP ONE- select an image. (use photo shop or another formating program to make it completely black and white, and simplify it as much as possible)
(my printer is out of black ink... can you tell :o) )
STEP TWO- place a piece of freezer paper (fp)
shiny side down, over the image there is no need for it to be bigger than the image. tape down, i find masking tape to be the easiest to remove.
STEP THREE- trace. (i like to use a fine sharpie style marker, something with a thicker point then a pen/pencil, but still fine enough for details. )
if your lighting ism't good enough (fp is thin enough to transfer most dark images with good light) hold it up to the TV or computer screen (both should hold by static alone) or tape to the window to get a sharp, clear image.
STEP FOUR- place shiny side down on a cutting surface. tape.i used the back (cardboard) side of a notebook for small stencils, but ideally a (fabric) cutting board works best, i simply dont have a table big enough for my cutting board, and didnt feel like being on the floor.
STEP FIVE- cut. go slowly. cut smaller, inside, more detailed pieces first. it is easier to cut these when the fp is stronger (not cut apart and easily ripped). if you do rip the paper, just move on to another area and when you iron it you should be able to patch it. or, use small bits of masking tape to hold it together, in small quantities this shouldnt interfear with future steps. ( i have only tried it on small sections, where it turned out just fine for me.)
finished cut stencil
STEP SIX- Iron the fp to the fabric, shiny side of fp to right side of fabric. use a DRY iron on medium/hot. it only takes a few seconds to adhere it down. allow it to cool before painting.
STEP SEVEN- Paint. i have used regular acrylic paint (in small bottles for stenciling/crafts) as well as fabric paint. the fabric paint lasts longer and looks better, but i dont mind the look of the acrylic after a few washes (always always wash inside out)
here i used fabric paint and applied it with a small sponge brush
paint the entire stencil, covering even the fp
STEP EIGHT- allow it to dry COMPLETELY before removing the fp. the fp is easily ripped when removing it, which makes it impossible (IMO) to use the same fp again, but as long as you dont cut the fp while its on your printed stencil, you can use that again (just retrace it onto your fp)
here is the finished product!
its about the size of a coaster... perfect for a ptach
*you may want to heat set it (again with dry iron, medium heat) from the wrong side, i dont feel it makes a huge difference, but then none of my articles have been put thru the laundry much yet.
Here is the same stencil, just larger, that i made using the same process for a shirt for tom.
