Using Card Stock Stencils

Learn tips and tricks for using cardstock to create stencils. Use fabric markers, paint, or spray paint plus a cardstock stencil to add extra decoration to a readymade garment or to your fabric before sewing it into any project. Nicki LaFoille walks you through how to make and use cardstock stencils with success.

Create a cardstock stencil by printing your template and cutting out the stencil using a craft knife, or use a cutting machine to quickly and accurately cut your stencil out of cardstock.

Cardstock is a great material to use for stencils because it is reusable, rather than a one time use freezer paper stencil. Excessive use of liquid or spray paint will eventually weaken the cardstock stencil after repeated usage.

If using spray paint, you may wish to adhere the cardstock to the fabric, to ensure clean, crisp stencil edges. Nicki recommends using temporary spray adhesive, or a glue stick, to temporarily adhere the cardstock stencil to the fabric.

Remember to cover up the project around the edges of the cardstock stencil to avoid getting overspray on the project or fabric, especially if using spray paint. Cardstock stencils can also easily be used with paint, fabric markers, or pens.

Refer to the spray paint directions for usage, re-coating, and setting the paint, if applicable.

For more fabric embellishment techniques, check out these videos:

How to Make Freezer Paper Stencils
Screen Printing Technique
Textile Art: Create One-of-a-Kind Fabric with Markers, Paint, Acid Dyes & Cyanotype
How to Print on Fabric
Using Artwork in Quilts