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Punch Up a Pillow With an Easy Stenciling Project
A freezer paper cutout and a smattering of paint give an old pillowcase new life in this simple DIY project
I went to architecture school but am now a design and craft blogger over at Lauren Elise Crafted where I highlight crafts, DIYs and tutorials, photography, vintage finds, and all things lovely.
I went to architecture school but am now a design and craft blogger over... More »
Screen-printing is a beautiful art form. It is a stenciling technique in which a design is imposed on a silk screen and then paint is pushed through the screen to transfer the design to paper or fabric. It is quite a laborious process, especially when printing multiple colors, since each color is applied one at a time.
As I have learned more about screen-printing, I have gained an appreciation for the artisans who have perfected it. But you can print some of your own designs on a smaller scale and without all the official equipment. This DIY will introduce you to the technique of “poor-man’s screen-printing” with a stencil project for updating an old pillowcase with a fresh, new look.
As I have learned more about screen-printing, I have gained an appreciation for the artisans who have perfected it. But you can print some of your own designs on a smaller scale and without all the official equipment. This DIY will introduce you to the technique of “poor-man’s screen-printing” with a stencil project for updating an old pillowcase with a fresh, new look.
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The key to this technique is freezer paper. A roll of waxy paper becomes the perfect nonporous stencil for printing your design onto fabric.
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Materials needed:
- pillowcase
- freezer paper
- X-acto knife
- pencil
- iron
- fabric paint
- sponge brush
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1. Iron your pillowcase to prepare it for printing.
2. Draw your design onto the freezer paper.
2. Draw your design onto the freezer paper.
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3. With an X-acto knife, carefully cut around the outline. The freezer paper then becomes a stencil.
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4. Position your stencil over the pillowcase. Make sure the glossy, waxy side is facing down so that it comes into contact with the fabric. Hold in place while you iron the freezer paper to the fabric. The heat seals the two together. Especially make sure to apply enough heat to the edges of your cutout. This is important so that paint does not seep through.
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5. Slip a piece of cardboard or thick paper in between the pillowcase layers before painting. Use a sponge brush to dab an even layer of paint over your cutout stencil.
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6. After applying the paint, slowly peel up the freezer paper. You should have a crisp, clean outline. Let the paint dry before use.
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This technique works great for small projects. It is easier to execute designs with less detail — simple shapes like the clouds I did for this pillow. A more complicated design, like the "sweet dreams" script, is possible too but you need to be more careful. For the script, I cut out the larger sections of the letters in the freezer paper but then I painted in the connecting lines freehand with a brush. It gets harder to cut out minuscule details, and painting by hand was easier for those thin lines.
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Replicate this screen-printing method on all kinds of fabrics. The possibilities are endless, and this is an easy way to breathe new life into old pieces. Keep this in mind if you are on a budget. You do not necessarily need to buy brand-new pieces to give your space a face-lift. A few hours of your weekend and some paint can make all the difference.
More:
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More:
Decorate With Intention: Great Vision, Small Budget
Decorating on a Budget: 10 Repurposing Ideas
