How Not to Mess Up a Fabric Stenciling Project

As part of my room decoration program, together with my arts and crafts crime partner Anne, I tried to create a curtain with my own design of prints. Fabric stenciling appeared to be very easy on books that we were more than excited to do it (for the first time). However, as we all know most first times are bound to be disasters. Yet you've got to admit that's where we get our best lessons.


1. Materials - fabric, scissors, cutter, sponge/paintbrush, paper/cardboard, pencil

*Lesson learned: It's best to use sticker paper or cardboard that's quite thick for the stencil pattern. Otherwise the pattern easily gets worn out because of the wet paint.


2. Create and cut the pattern - there are infinite possibilities for the design you might wish to use. Print or draw them on a cardboard/sticker paper. Cut out the parts where the paint will be applied within.

*Lesson learned: Intricate designs are ok but they make cutting an agony.
: Make sure the pattern is big enough or you'll really strain your eyes and hands.
3. Apply the paint - Place the pattern you've created on the fabric and apply the paint using a brush or sponge. The repetition and spacing of designs is entirely up to you.

*Lesson learned: It's best to use paint specially made for fabric design. We used poster paint and it'll probably disappear when the fabric's washed the third time.
: Do some trials first on a small piece of fabric before printing the "real thing"(we were wise enough to actually do this!).

So there, once we got it perfect you'll see the amazing photos.