Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-23
How to Cut and Apply
a Stencil

~INCE the practical as well as or
namental usefulness of the stencil
~ as a medium for household deco
ration has been thoroughly established.
its lasting popularity is assured. 1t Is
practical in that it is an easy ana mex
nensive mode of decoration that may
be applied with signal success 10 an
grades of cotton. silk and linen faorlcs'
1t also lends itself most effectively 1or
mural work.
Although the ready-cut stencils may
be bought, they lack the originality ana
individuality which Is one OF the chlel
charms of any decoration. and the won-
an who appreciates this cuts her own
stencils. Nor is this such a difficult
task as would at first appear; Tor, after
the drawing is made. the process OF
cutting and applying is a purely me-
chanical one Then. too. in these days,
when drawing is universally taught In
the schools, few families but can boast
an artist in embryo. who can. at least,
execute a simple design in pencil ready
to transfer.
The necessary materials for cutting a
stencil are a sheet of stencil paper. or
stencil board, as it is more often called.
and a stencil knife or very sharp PEN
knife. When the regular stencil board
cannot be obtained conveniently. an ex-
cellent substitute. may be prepared by
coating both So1s of heavy manila pa
per. to whict. tie drawing of the design
has been transferred, with as much lin
seed oil FL It will absorb, then press
under heavy weight until it will lie
1;,xl,t {ur
the stencil board is available. the work
is greatly simplifed. as it only requires
that the design shall be transferred and
it IS ready for use.
To cut the stencil. place the design
over a piece OF ground glass Of the re-
uuired dimensions on table or SOFT
wood and thumb-tack into place. Then.
with a sharp knife. cut out the design.
following the lines Of the drawing accu-
rateIy. Take out the lacks. lift the
stencil and, with a pair of curved scis-
sors, round out the corners Of the de-
sign When the manila paper has been
employed. it will be necessary to give
it body by applying heavy coat OF
shellac to each side. Then press until
IT lies fiat.
There are two mediums which may be
used for stenciling fabrics. Both will
wash. and each has its special advan-
tage One of these is aniline dye.
which has this to commend 1t: guam
tity may be mixed at time without
the risk of the color changing. The di-
rections given on the package for mix
ing must be followed, and the same
Judgment observed in selecting the dyes
as is used when they are to be legiti-
mately employed.
The second medium is oil paint. thin
ned to the fluid consistency with gaso-
line This medium is especially use
full when cotton fabrics are to be stem
ci,ed, as they will absorb the paint more
readily than dyes.
To apply the design to a fabric.
stretch the goods taut over board or
table. and. if thin in quality. put
sheet of blotting paper under 1t to alb
sorb the surplus moisture and insure
against spreading Thumb-tack the de-
sign in place. then. with n stiff bristie
brush-using a separate brush for each
color-and a firm. steady stroke. paint
In the design. When making a repeat
design, tns greatest care must be used
in shifting the stencil to preserve prop
er distances and spacing.
One of the simplest, yet one of the
most effective. methods of setting"
design is as follows: Lay the article,
then cover with a damp cloth overlaid
bv dry one, and press with a very
hot iron. This steamins process fixes
the colorS-