Freezer Paper Stencils

by kidhaven on December 7, 2009

I warned you that I’m infatuated with silhouettes right now, so it’s no surprise that I have another idea to share. Prepare yourself, though. YOU might just become infatuated, too…

This is our family’s favorite gift-giving project at the moment. Yup, I’ve even roped in my dear hubby (who’s a closet artist, so it didn’t take much)! M and I have made onesies for new babies, shirts for birthdays, a tote for Grandma…then Daddy helped M make more shirts and a couple of pants just for her. To think, we only learned how to do this project a month ago! I’m telling you, it’s so easy and cool, it’s addictive.

Before I let you in on the DIY details, credit must be given where credit is due. I’d seen freezer paper stencil projects floating around a few of my favorite Mom Blogs for a while. However, “freezer paper” was made out to be a hard-to-find mystery supply, so I didn’t even bother. Thanks to Kate, my super-crafty former neighbor in IL that I wish we could have squeezed into our moving van, she gently informed me that freezer paper is right next to the wax paper in any ole grocery store! Low and behold, there it was, right next to the wax paper at Shop Rite. So thanks to you Kate, I’m a freezer paper stencil making maniac. (For more really awesome craft ideas, recipes, knitting projects, etc, follow this link to visit Kate’s blog entitled ‘Our Urban Homestead.’)

This project is rated ‘E’ for everyone! Children of all ages can do this project. I have done this project with toddlers to school age children. Toddlers can choose their own silhouettes, iron and paint after Mommy or Daddy helps with the cutting. M painted all the projects you see here. Recently I was invited to do this project with school age children and they did steps 1-10 with very little help from me. We think this is a great way to create beautiful handmade gifts with an expert finish.

Freezer Paper Stencil Projects

Supplies:

Paper, Pencil, Markers

Freezer Paper

Exacto knife

Iron

Fabric Paint & Brushes

Clothing – 100% cotton is recommended

Instructions:

1. Choose a silhouette. Free hand it or search Google Images. For example, giraffe silhouette.

2. Trace the outline of your silhouette with a marker. This helps make the image visible through the freezer paper.

3. Place and center the silhouette under a large piece of freezer paper, paper-side up/shiny side down. Trace the outline of your silhouette with a pencil. For beginning painters, it’s a really good idea to provide lots of space around the stencil. This protects the surrounding fabric from accidental brush strokes.

4. Carefully cut out the silhouette with an exacto knife. Your stencil should have smooth, clean edges – this is key!

5. Iron-on your stencil, paper-side up/shiny side down, to a piece of clothing using a warm iron. Be sure the stencil edges tightly adhere to the clothing.

6. Place a large piece of freezer paper, shiny side up (not down), under the area you plan to paint. For example, if you are planning on painting a t-shirt, place a large piece of whole freezer paper inside the shirt to prevent splotches of paint from soaking through to the other side of the shirt.

7. Paint your silhouette with fabric paint. I recommend using sponge brushes. This is great practice for kids to use gentle, smooth strokes! Rough painting causes the fabric to wrinkle and causes the final image to distort. For beginning painters, enclose your stencil to protect the rest of the clothing. I used an old towel to create a safe work space for M (see photo).