Anyone make their own stencils?

[Rosebud]

I've been looking around and couldn't find the exact stencil I want. I was thinking of making my own stencil, but wasn't sure the best way to do it.

I just discovered they have blank stencil sheet so you can make your own, but I was wondering how hard that would be. I'm guessing you would trace on the pattern and then cut it out with an exacto knife?

Anyone ever create their own? If it is too hard to do, I will just resort to hand painting the pattern I want. I'm not doing a huge area with it, but want to do it so I actually like what it looks like when I'm done.

[Ursulinda]

Cutting the stencil shouldn't be too difficult if you can use an exacto knife with some degree of facility. Stencil sheet is a little stiff, so you want to have it on something like a self healing mat, where you can press fairly firmly.

In the past, I've used contact paper to cut my stencils out of. Then, after I peel the backing off, I press the sticky side onto a tee shirt or rug, to take off some of the 'tack' before adhering it to the wall.

If your design is something that can be cut by a cricut cartridge (like words, flourishes, or a common shape), someone who owns a cricut Expression and the proper cartridge can cut a stencil up to 11.5 inches wide X 23.5 inches long. Check to see if the design you want is available at www.cricut.com.

[Rosebud]

I did respond to this previously, but apparently did something wrong because it isn't here.

Basically I thought the contact paper was a good idea, and was going to try that.

However, I came back to say that after painting the area I was going to use the stencil on in a slightly different pattern, I'm thinking I no longer need the stencil. I haven't quite finished it yet, but it is looking like it won't be necessary.

Thanks for your suggestions.

[BriarRose]

I'm making stencils as we speak using my cricut machine. I'm just using heavy paper because I needed some names but it is working great. I melded the letters together so I didn't have to do each individual letter.

Glad it is working for you Rosebud!

[ddoll]

If you're painting a wall, you may want to use a projected image and trace it from that. Then you would have the exact image you want.

[Rosebud]

I still haven't decided if the pattern I painted is done or not, so still not sure if I need the stencils. I've moved my bed back into place while I'm deciding to see if the pattern that is there now suits me or not. Since it is for a picture over the bed, it helps to have the bed where it belongs.

I like the idea of the projecting on the wall and then I could tell if it would look right without the actual stencil in the way. It is so much easier when you have a real "vision" to look at before starting. For the original design I started with a Powerpoint Slide of how I basically wanted it to look and made changes from there once I had the pattern on the wall and started using the actual colors.

Thanks for the ideas.