Freezer Paper Stenciling
This project has been on my list of things to do since I first learned of this kind of stenciling months ago. And let me say, now that I have met this beautiful thing called freezer paper, I can tell this is going to be the beginning of a long and beautiful relationship.
With this method, you can turn almost anything into a stencil. Here’s how it’s done:
Start by choosing your pattern and printing it out. It’s better to choose images with thicker lines and simpler shapes rather than thin and complex. You’ll understand why when you do the next step.
Take your printout and tape it to the top of the NON-shiny side of a piece of freezer paper. (This is found near the aluminum foil at the grocery store or you can buy a large roll online here.) I chose a bird on a branch this time. Lay your pattern and paper over a cutting mat or thick cardboard.
Next, take an exacto knife and cut out the design, making sure to cut all the way thru the freezer paper. When you’re done with this, you’ll have your freezer paper stencil. Now use a hot, dry iron to iron the freezer paper to your chosen fabric. Make sure you iron shiny side down.
Now you’re ready to paint! Use your favorite color of craft paintandsimply paint in the stencil.
Once it’s dry, peel it off carefullyandadmire the results!
I made my design into a pillowandeven embellished it with some fabric leaves that I appliqued into place.
This was so easy! Can’t wait to do it again soon.
Linking up to some of these creative sites!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
July 7, 2010 @ 2:20 am
oh julie, my heart just skipped a beat! LOVE the pillow. i am utterly impressed!
Mel
July 7, 2010 @ 2:31 am
How tweet đŸ™‚
The stencil is cute but those leaves are incredible, really the entire design is gorgeous.
Hattie
July 7, 2010 @ 2:32 am
Beautiful! I love it. I think birds are one of my favorite things right now.
Kay Barrett
July 7, 2010 @ 2:32 am
Julie, I love this pillow!!!I have been looking for pillows with a bird on it just like that bird! I have been doing my livingroom with some of the birds like that. I would love to try and make me some like that! You did a wonderful job!!! I enjoy reading all of your neat stuff. You are so creative. I enjoy re-doing old furniture and things also. Michael and I love going to yard sales,auctions,thrift stores, and etc. It's amazing what you can find! Keep sharing all of your great ideas. Love it!!!!
Green Willow Pond
July 7, 2010 @ 3:02 am
Thanks for the tutorial! What a great way to create a one of a kind stencil. Love the way you added the fabric leaves…it just makes the pillow!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
July 7, 2010 @ 10:43 am
That turned out great, Julie! Love the appliqued leaves, too. They really finish the design off nicely.
StepThruCrazy
July 7, 2010 @ 12:50 pm
Beautiful! Freezer paper stenciling has been on my to-do list for months!
Amanda @ Uffda! Projects
July 7, 2010 @ 2:19 pm
This looks great. Makes me want to go and do it too. Thank you
Amanda@The Hand Me Down House
July 7, 2010 @ 2:48 pm
That looks amazing! I love the colors on the pillow too! You did a wonderful job!!!
Pam
July 7, 2010 @ 3:24 pm
Thanks for that tip. I've off to buy freezer paper right now! Very cute pillow.
Deb
July 7, 2010 @ 4:04 pm
Any tips on where to find designs to use for the stencils? I love the pillow!
Ann @ makethebestofthings
July 7, 2010 @ 4:43 pm
This came out great and the fabric leaves totally kick it up a notch. I really really have to try this method of printing, it intrigues me!
Aly
July 7, 2010 @ 5:21 pm
i love freezer paper stencils. this combo with the applique leaves is just lovely.
Stef
July 7, 2010 @ 5:54 pm
That turned out so awesome!! I have had freezer paper stenciling on my to-do list for quite awhile, too. Just found the freezer paper the other day! I love how you added the leaves!!!
Sharon
July 7, 2010 @ 7:41 pm
Love the leaves!!! I LOVE all that you can do with freezer paper!
Melissa
July 7, 2010 @ 8:53 pm
I really like the addition of the appliqued leaves!!
The Polka Dot Closet
July 7, 2010 @ 9:18 pm
That is so cute! Good Job! I will try that it does look easy?
Carol
Crazy Cat
July 7, 2010 @ 10:21 pm
Very well done
Kat
July 8, 2010 @ 2:46 am
That is so pretty! Great idea…I may have to try that out!
Maryanne
July 8, 2010 @ 3:14 am
Love it! I've been wanting to try this as well… I may have to move it up on my list!
Beverly @ FlamingoToes.com
July 8, 2010 @ 6:51 am
What a great pillow! I love how it turned out. Really cute. đŸ™‚ And I love all the different fabrics you did for the leaves.
sandyvern
July 8, 2010 @ 12:10 pm
Wow! That came out great! Nice job!
Jenny @ Words on Wendhurst
July 8, 2010 @ 12:20 pm
Wow, that is so simple, and so easy! Well done! Love the little fabric leaves, with just the right amount of color. đŸ™‚
Kristy
July 8, 2010 @ 2:39 pm
This is very cute!
Orange it Lovely
July 8, 2010 @ 2:51 pm
GORGEOUS!!! I love it..
~Tana
ninjagranny
July 8, 2010 @ 5:24 pm
AWESOME post! And just in time because I happen to have some unsuspecting plain fabrics lying around doing nothing in their laziness. Lazy no more- they are about to become EMBELLISHED by STENCIL!! Thank you!
Helby
July 8, 2010 @ 5:49 pm
That's adorable! Do you have any fave websites to get great stencils?
Anonymous
July 8, 2010 @ 6:32 pm
THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I was planning to try to come up with a pillow similar to this this weekend and you just made my job so much easier! I have a tote that they gave away at Old Navy with darling birch tree and bird silhouettes that I can't wait to use to try this. Love your blog!
Shel at Dreamy Nest
July 8, 2010 @ 8:11 pm
Cute image and great ideas. I'm about to make some no-sew pillows and this is a fabulous way to give the canvas I bought some oomph!
Lori @ Projects Plenty
July 8, 2010 @ 9:57 pm
What a great pillow… who knew freezer paper was so useful! Thanks for sharing this technique.
Jenn @ Seeds on a Breeze
July 8, 2010 @ 11:54 pm
Saw this on Somewhat Simple. I {LOVE} this! I'm trying it this week! Thanks.
jmommy08
July 9, 2010 @ 12:16 am
Oh! Love it! I did freezer paper stencil t-shirts for some Christmas gifts and I LOVED them. It is SO easy and such a satisfying result in the end. This looks great and I just love the appliqued leaves – they're perfect!
Susie~From My Home To Yours
July 9, 2010 @ 12:28 am
Very cool…love it. Thanks for sharing.
Joy @ Thrifty Parsonage Living
July 9, 2010 @ 3:18 am
Very cute and creative idea.
Andrea
July 9, 2010 @ 3:49 am
Wow! I love that! You make it *look* so simple, I may have to give it a try sometime! Thanks for stopping by http://adashofparsley.blogspot.com
Su-sieee! Mac
July 9, 2010 @ 7:02 am
Oh wow! I want to try that. Your pillow is so cute. Thanks for the instructions.
gnee
July 9, 2010 @ 7:11 am
Love this fabulous pillow. You made this week's Top 5 Hits at Singing With Birds. Come check it out, grab a button for your blog, and thanks for sharing such a great project!
nima
July 9, 2010 @ 7:36 am
wow…great idea…thank you for sharing
Imperfect
July 9, 2010 @ 11:47 am
Found you through The Inspired Room. I love this idea, and I could really use some fun pillows for our bedroom and the guest bed. I guess I know what I'll be trying soon!
Cathy
July 9, 2010 @ 12:13 pm
That pillow is sweet! What a great idea.
mle
July 9, 2010 @ 1:07 pm
LOVE your pillow!! it looks easy enough that even I could do it : )
Larissa
July 9, 2010 @ 7:22 pm
Found this through somewhat simple.
I love this pillow AND I love that you did it with regular paint.
Super cute.
I would love it if you came and linked this up to my Christmas in July linky party.
Hope to see you there!
Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking
July 10, 2010 @ 4:39 am
Goodness!!! This is so cute. I really need to paint with some freezer paper. I'm putting your project in the Spotlight at the Power of Paint Party. Thanks for linkin' up.
sydney @ memorable minutes
July 11, 2010 @ 12:09 am
yep, i've been looking at this method forever too, and you may have just convinced and inspired me to finally try it. ohh what to stencil, what to stencil?
Colleen @ MuralMaker&More
August 9, 2010 @ 3:26 pm
This is such a great project! It's probably already sold, but I highlighted it in my post today on Stamping & Stenciling. I just simply have to try freezer paper – you've inspired me!
Holly @ Roller Coaster Life
October 4, 2010 @ 1:08 am
Wow I am so glad to find this!! I have always heard of freezer paper but never was quite sure what it was!! Yay I can't wait to use it! Can you only use it on fabric? Or can you use it on wood and such?
Leigh Anne@Your Homebased Mom
October 18, 2010 @ 4:05 pm
I am hosting a Mummies Night Out a fundraising party for a young mom dealing with cancer – discovered the day she gave birth. I have the supplies for each party guest to make your darling fall banner. I am wondering if the freezer paper stencil is reuseable – and about how many uses you could get out of it? I have about 25 party guests and am hoping not to have to make 25 stencils! Thanks!
Julie
October 18, 2010 @ 4:39 pm
@Leigh Anne@Your Homebased Mom
What a great idea to help your friend. I've never tried to reuse the stencils. I'm doubting it would work, though, due to the mess. You wouldn't want to iron over it again after it was covered in paint. I get why you wouldn't want to have to cut out so many, but you might just let the guests do it themselves, since it's only 4 letters & not too bad. The freezer paper comes on a huge roll, so there would be plenty for 25 stencils. Hope that helps you!
Gwen @ Gwenny Penny
November 10, 2010 @ 4:17 am
Beautiful! Love that it's part stencil, part applique. I also like how you changed the original design from berries to leaves. Very nice. Visiting from CSI.
Centsational Girl
November 10, 2010 @ 8:05 pm
Totally gorgeous Julie, very very inspiring!!!
I'm getting ready to 'stencil' some glass hurricanes . . love this idea!
xo
Kate
Sher
September 6, 2011 @ 6:15 pm
seriously awesome. Can't wait to do this! love the leaves!!!!
Julie
September 6, 2011 @ 6:36 pm
@Sher
You'll love it! I'm getting ready to do another pillow with this method as soon as I find some time!
catnap
September 14, 2011 @ 9:49 am
What a wonderful tutorial. Love the idea and the design is beautiful!
Katie
September 25, 2011 @ 12:19 pm
I love this idea! I'm going to have to try this very soon! XoXo