11.13.2010

Tutorial: Freezer Paper Stenciling

Freezer Paper Stenciling is a fast, fun and easy way to make an outfit more interesting (this could be used on any type of fabric project, obviously). Okay so what do you need?


1 Freezer Paper (wax paper doesn't work, it must say "Freezer Paper" on the box. Found at any grocery store)
2 X-acto Knife and Scissors 
3 Fabric
4 Iron
5 Your Image (if you print it onto paper, you'll have to trace it onto the freezer paper with a writing implement of your choosing OR you can print directly onto the freezer paper, on the dull side, if you cut it down to fit your printer)
6 Foam Paint Brushes
7 Fabric Paint (I use Tulip brand, matte. You can get it at Michaels, JoAnns, etc.)

And now that you've gathered your supplies, let the adventure begin!

Step 1 Trace the image onto the freezer paper (for those of us who do not print directly on to it) on the DULL side (i.e. not the shiny side)



Step 2 Cut the image out using an x-acto knife (or scissors if you can manage that somehow). Remember that you are making a stencil, so it is sorta like a negative. The areas that you cut out will get painted, and the areas you don't will stay the color of the fabric. (for example if there are pieces within the image, like airplane windows, cut them out and save them cause you'll iron them back into the cut out area later). If there are teeny tiny pieces start with the smallest sections first and then go to the larger ones, it makes it easier.




Step 3 Iron the freezer paper to the fabric, shiny side down.  Make sure that you iron the edges really well or leaking may occur (which actually happened on the boat, cause I don't think that my iron was fully hot at the time).



Step 4 Put wax paper inbetween the layers of fabric incase the paint bleeds through (especially if you are doing multiple coats of paint.) You can probably use something other than wax paper, it was just the first thing I thought of...


Step 5 Paint, paint, paint. For the boat and plane I did two coats. For the batman onesie awhile back, I did 3 three coats, and the Quincy onesie I did two.  I would probably put 2 or 3 hours inbetween coats, of course you can use a hair dryer to speed up the drying, if you are impatient like me.  Well to be honest I don't always wait until it is completely dry to add another coat.

Note: One problem I haven't solved yet is how to prevent the paint from cracking a little after many washes, or when it stretches across the Bubb's large tummy after eating.  If the fabric won't ever stretch (like on a bag or a regular t-shirt (not onesie), this probably wouldn't be a problem.



Step 6 This is by far the BEST step. Pulling off the freezer paper. Just lift a corner and begin to peel. The first time I didn't think that it would work, but it totally leaves a nice clean edge, it is awesome.  For the little pieces, like the airplane windows, I sorta pinch at the freezer paper and pull it off.  For really small pieces, like Quincy's eyes, etc. I used tweezers to help me.


Step 7 Iron over the finished product, with a cloth between the iron and paint, just to help fuse the paint down.



And you're done! Enjoy your newly made items!!

 


MULTIPLE PAINT COLORS: You can also do Freezer Paper Stenciling with multiple paint colors too although it can be a bit more tricky if it is a small design but it definitely works. I made this shirt for his UNO birthday party. I used the same steps as above except I printed directly onto the freezer paper by cutting the freezer paper to 8.5x11 and then sticking it into the printer to print on the non-shiny side. It was super easy. Then I painted with the different colors and used a foam brush and tiny paint brushes to do the letters. Each color got 2 coats. (And I know I've been complaining about the paint cracking...but it hasn't on this shirt and I think its because it is a shirt and not a onesie made from knits.)


Tips To make it last longer, I always wash them inside out. I think that the paint brand recommends not washing for 72 hours. Also, when painting, I paint/dab in any direction I feel like to get the majority of the paint on and then I use downward brush strokes over all of it, to make the paint all seem to be going in one direction.

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24 comments:

  1. So cute! And I love the tutorial! You've made it sound easy enough that I've decided to give this a try. maybe not this week, but hopefully in the near future!

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  2. This looks great Kristina! I am def going to try this :)

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  3. I don't know if they make them for onesies, but there are t-shirt forms to put in shirts which also stretches the shirt before you start to paint. This should help with the paint cracking. Hope this helps. =0)

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  4. Love your nice & clear directions!
    I've stenciled a bit with freezer paper too. Have you tried using a different fabric paint? That might help with the cracking. I use jacquard, you can get it here: http://www.dickblick.com/products/jacquard-textile-colors/ . :) This paint sort of goes on like a gel and really soaks into the fabric, almost staining it. Some of the colors seem to be different formulations, though, like the white, which sits on top.

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  5. What an awesome tutorial! You make it seem like it's so simple. I think I'm going to give it a try and brew up some fun shirts for the kiddos... or pants... or even a skirt! LOVE!

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  6. Great tutorial. If you use different paint I think you'd completely loose the cracking. Unfortunately, when it comes to paint, you get what you pay for. The tulip ones are widely available, and cheap, but don't stand up to wear very well.

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  7. Hi and thanks! I totally agree with you guys about the paint choice. Tulip is very easy to find and lots of colors. I saw other brands but had a hard time paying a ton of money to paint a onesie that The Bubb would wear for a month or two :) I think on a bag, etc. that isn't washed it'd be fine. When I do another project that uses this technique that won't be outgrown so quickly I'll try a different brand and report back on my findings!

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  8. what if you stretch it between coats? I can't wait to try this!

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  9. I use Delta Textile Medium. It's an additive that turns your acrylic paint into washable fabric paint. Love the tutorial - I'll be making my kids some t's very soon!

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  10. If you use paint meant for screen printing, it won't crack. I purchased (from Hobby Lobby) some for 2.99 a bottle... didn't have the crackling effect.

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  11. I remember doing this in college with some friends! The shirt I made is still in perfect condition after tons of wears.

    I also experimented with making a multi layer design with different colors on a hoodie, I made a different stencil for each color layer, painted one, let it dry completely, peeled off and repeated. This gave me a little bit of overlap of the colors.

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  12. I have "butcher paper". Is this the same thing?

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    1. Hi :) Hmmm I don't think so. You could try on a test piece of fabric and see if it works! As I've never tried or seen that in the stores near me, so it would be interesting to know if it does. Wax paper definitely does not work. I would probably try to find Freezer Paper as I know that does :)

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  13. Great tutorial! Freezer paper stenciling is a super way to customize stuff! As some other readers mentioned, using a textile paint like Createx or Jacquard intended for screen and other textile printing will get you even better results. They are actually cheaper than the Tulip paints per ounce :)

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  14. Have you tried adding "fabric medium" to your paint? It may help it adhere to your fabric. Also, I have used puff paint just like acrylic when painting on fabric. It works well.

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  15. how hot should the iron be? did I miss that somewhere?

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    1. A medium to low heat (depending on your iron) with no steam :)

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  16. How did you do the wild card with the shadow effect? Is that just paint?

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    1. Hi! It is the the black t-shirt showing through. I just didn't cut that part out, so it was 'masked' when I was painting the letters and white background.

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  17. Do you peel of the paper after the paint has dried, or while it's still wet?

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    1. Hi! You peel it off after it is dried. I guess you could peel it off while it is still half way wet like when you use painter's tape but I would worry that if there is a wet part next to a dry part it will peel off part of the paint ruining the design...

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  18. I did this and turned out great and very easy.

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  19. This is such a fantastic idea! I have a tote bag that I would like to try this out on. The problem is that there is a logo that I am trying to cover up. Will the paint cover it? The bag is an eco green tote that I want to keep. The painted logo is one of those white stamped-on company logos that I don't want to carry around as an ad for that company. So...cute bag, but bad logo. How to cover it? with the paint? Thanks.

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    1. Hi! Not sure if the paint will cover it, depends on what color I suppose? You could always try and worst case you get a big white blob? I've never printed on top of something before. You could always sew fabric over the logo? That might work better? Hope that helps!

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Hi! I love getting comments :) Please email me if you have a specific question and I'll get back to you. Thanks :)

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