Thursday, November 17, 2011

Stenciled Pillow Tutorial

I purchased an incredible stencil from Royal Design Studio last month and have been dying to use it. It's French script of a beautiful poem about Springtime. Right now, though, I have no time to use it on a wall, so I decided to try it on my new pillow covers in my family room. I wanted something subtle, so I choose a white fabric paint for the off-white canvas. The stencil is huge and Royal Design Studio provides great instructions for using it -- how to line it up, etc. I read them over and adapted them to a smaller surface area. 
You will need: fabric paint, cardboard, painter's tape, and a stencil brush or a sponge pouncer (for fabric stenciling).

Here's the tutorial...
1. First, wash and dry the fabric to remove any sizing.
2. Use a cardboard (I used leftover poster board) to insert in between the fabric of the pillow cover so the paint won't bleed to the other side.
3. Next, line up the stencil and tape it down so it doesn't shift when using it. I recommend using painter's tape, but I didn't have any so I used packing tape Note: definitely use painter's tape on a wall.

4. Begin stenciling using a stippling technique to work the paint into the fabric. When painting on fabric that is as absorbent as canvas, you will use a bit more paint, but you will still need to "offload" the brush so it doesn't seep under the stencil. I had to go over my pattern a few times until I figured out just how much paint to use.

5. Remove the stencil and let your fabric dry. You can heatset the paint on the fabric by tossing it into the drier for about an hour.




The result: I love the subtleness of this stencil on fabric. I can't wait to stencil another pillow! Note: I originally had a giveaway associated with this post hence all the comments...

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33 comments:

stacie said...

It turned out so beautiful! Can't wait to see the wall. So can sister's enter your contest? Just checked out the site, really cool designs. My favorite is Moroccan Stencils: Intricate Zelij small.

stacie said...

Liked them on Facebook & followed on Twitter.

Cassie Bustamante said...

i am a follower- your pillow is beautiful, renee! i love the stencil you chose!

Cassie Bustamante said...

i m loving the florals- the cherry blossom and indiam floral.... but i love so many!

Cassie Bustamante said...

i like them on FB!

Unknown said...

Your pillow is gorgeous! I've had my eye on that stencil since I saw it at Miss Mustard Seed's. So beautiful. That's it. I'm going to have to get it. But, I'll wait for your giveaway to end first. hehe Hey, you never know! So that would be my pick...and I'd pay the difference.

Unknown said...

I've been a follower!

stacie said...

I am a follower!

Unknown said...

Liked them on FB. Thank you for the chance!

Jane said...

Hi Renee,
Your pillow turned out gorgeous!! Thanks for the opportunity to win a stencil. I would love to be entered in the giveaway...I'm a follower!!
I've been catching up on past posts. You have been a busy lady and love your projects. I found a bag of tiny muslin bags at a thrift store and you've really inspired me to do something with them for my booth!! Thx.
Jane

ANNE said...

I'm a follower !

ANNE said...

I love the french script stencil the best - sooooo pretty :)

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

I'm a follower! Love your pretty pillow!!!

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

I visited Royal Design Studio and like the Rockin' Roses Damask the best!

workoutgirl said...

I am a follower. I think I'd like one of the script ones too.

Lynn Stevens said...

Here i cam over to Thank you for entering my giveaway and discover your having one of your own. Love your blog and the pillow is divine! That stencil would look wonderful on a faux wall too!
Please enter me in your giveaway, I am now a follower!

I entered you in the bonus draw as well. best of luck
hugs Lynn

Unknown said...

I am now a follower. I love your blog. I have already pinned a few things. briellekennington@gmail.com

graceHegives said...

LOVE this idea! Very chic and elegant. Thanks for the inspiration and very clear directions! :) I also follow your blog....

graceHegives said...

I "like" Royal design Studio on Facebook and love to watch their postings for ideas.

graceHegives said...

Hmmm....so many wonderful stencil designs to choose from! I would probably say the Springtime in Paris would be a favorite beacuse I love the poem it represents and also to be able to use certain phrases of it for various projects..like the pillows! Thanks for the opportunity to win a stencil!! Wow. what a blessing!

Renee said...

PLEASE, PLEASE Provide email addresses if you don't have it on your blogger profile. If you win I will not have any way of getting in touch with you. I have four entries with no email addresses so far.

Erin said...

I love the Moroccan Stencils. Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
ek99fish@yahoo.com

Erin said...

I liked them on Facebook.
ek99fish@yahoo.com

Amber said...

I love how the pillow turned out! I love your style. :) I'm your newest follower! Nice to meet you. :)

Amber said...

My all time favourite stencil is the Lisboa Tile Allover!

Amber said...

I like Royal Design Studio on FB. :)

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

I'm already a follower.

Your pillows look fabulous! I love the white on white.

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

By they sure have an extensive collection! I had a hard time choosing. I really like the idea of ceiling stencils. I like Avignon Medallion one. I have low ceilings and I think stenciling them would be a great way to bring the eye up.

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

I love the way this turned out. It so soft and beautiful. I thought I was already following but I did again just in case!

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

I love the all over designs. Maybe the interlacing leaves!

Kyra @ RACKS and Mooby said...

I'm a follower! Love the pillow - bien sur - c'est formidable!

Kyra @ RACKS and Mooby said...

I really like the Large Marrakesh Allover Trellis - would be great in my pantry!

Anonymous said...

Love the idea of stencil on Cloth!
I liked them on facebook and I am a follower. Enter me in the contest. My favorite stencil is FEZ BLANKET.

Lovely blog.