Cut Stencils from Overhead Projector Sheets

This morning as I was tidying up the studio that had become a total wreck after working 3 weeks on the peacock work (which is FINISHED :-), I ran across a partial overhead projector sheet.  The choice was to either throw it away or use it.  Guess what I chose to do?  Relegating things to the trash is like pulling teeth for me, especially if they might have a future use.  I wondered if the sheet would make a good and permanent surface for cutting stencils, so I started somewhat small.  After all, it was an experiment, I told myself.

Here's how the process developed.

1.  Tools used.

2.  I used a painter's tape roll to draw a circle onto the transparency sheet.

3.  I then drew a pattern onto the sheet and cut out the stencil shapes with a craft knife.  When drawing the pattern, I made sure to leave uncut "bridge" spaces so that the stencil would not fall apart.

 4.  Since I was low on white fabric paint I mixed textile medium with craft paint in a small roller pan.

5.  I then laid the stencil onto black fabric and used the sponge roller pictured above to apply paint.

6.  The stenciled image was very crisp.

7.  I was so pleased with the result that I continued using the stencil to make multiple images.

7.  My only limitation was the length of the black fabric remnant.

I'm quite excited that the transparency sheet was so easy to cut--much easier than anything else I have used in the past and will definitely use this process again in the future.  I liked the outcome so much that I wish I had printed on a few yards of fabric so that I could make a garment out of it.

Always remember, never fear to experiment.  

Sometimes wonderful things happen.

© Linda Friedman 2015.  All rights reserved