How To Design Your Own Stencil-Bleached Upcycled Jeans

Hello Stencil Fans,

My name is Michelle (@michelle.schenker.art on Instagram), and I am a mixed-media and watercolor artist who loves transforming trash into treasures. You have likely noticed that my StencilGirl® blog projects follow this passion. 

I was doing a bit of wardrobe cleanup and was ready to donate a pair of old jeans to Goodwill when I realized I could reimagine them. So, I decided to play with my StencilGirl® stencils and some bleach to see what I could do to add these back in as a "new" beloved item!

StencilGirl® Stencil:

• Children, Our Future by Cynthia Silveri

Other Supplies:

• Jeans
• Bleach
• Fine-mist spray bottle
• Sturdy material to protect the jeans where you don't intend to bleach (I used a thick piece of paper and towels)
• Newspaper or a tarp
• Cotton rags or paper towels
• Low-tack spray adhesive or painter's tape
• Gloves and mask (optional)

Step 1:

Add 1/2 cup of bleach to a fine-misting spray bottle (this helps prevent unwanted drips). 

Choose a spot where you can work either outside or in a well-ventilated area. You might also consider wearing a mask and gloves.

Step 2:

Place a layer or two of newspaper or plastic on your surface to protect it (I used a tarp). Then, put a flat, thick piece of paper or plastic in between the pants leg and lay the jeans out flat. This keeps the bleach from soaking through. 

Step 3:

If you want crisp edges along the stencil design, use low-tack adhesive spray or painter's tape to secure the stencil in place. Then position your stencil where you want the design on the jeans, and tape it in place if you wish. Add some dry towels or plastic sheets around the stencil to protect it and keep bleach from getting where you don't want it. 

Step 4:

Once your stencil is down and the surrounding area is protected, spray the bleach over the stencil until it is damp, but don't soak it. Then, keep the stencil in place and use a cotton rag or paper towel to wipe up any excess bleach. This will keep your edges more defined. Once the extra liquid has been removed from the stencil, you can move it.  

Step 5:

While you may not see the lighter change color right away, don't worry. So long as it's wet enough to see it, the design will turn lighter relatively quickly.

Move the dry stencil to your next desired location and repeat steps 3 and 4. Continue with this until you are satisfied with your completed design. 

Immediately after removing the dried stencil.

This is after a few minutes sitting with the bleach!

Step 6:

Once your design is ready, immediately throw your jeans in the washing machine and run it. Then you can decide whether to put them in the dryer or hang them to air dry (it will not change the outcome).

Step 7:

Once dry, put on your new sassy jeans and walk your own personal catwalk! Maybe your dog will even admire them, like my pup Milo did!

Rock those new jeans and tell everyone that you designed them yourself. Way to go!

Cheers and have fun creating! If you decide to make these, please tag me on your social media posts (links below) - I'd love to see your creations. 

All the best,

Michelle Schenker

Michelle Schenker's website | Instagram | Facebook

Etsy | YouTube | Pinterest

Set aside the weeds of the year and bloom

Hi! Carol Baxter greeting you from the StencilGirl blog today.

It has been about a year since I stenciled this blooming shirt, wrapped it up, and sent it off across the miles. The Creative Team's theme for November 2020 is "wearables" and Mary Beth sent me a little assistance with this photo.

It gave me such pleasure to paint it and seeing the smile on Mary Beth's face in this pic makes me believe it's high time I stenciled another one or two blouses, which brings me to point one:

If you are putting off creating because it has been 

a long bloomin' year the past 8 months 

(I feel like this too)

and you don't feel like being the least bit artsy, 

grab a couple of art supplies and create anyhow.

Doodle, stencil, write, paint, scribble. 

It will make you feel better or at the very least be cathartic.

Maybe you won't want to show anyone afterward. 

Heck, maybe you even want to tear it up and start something new, 

but you will have accessed your creative self which can only lead to more access.

Set aside the weeds for a few moments and allow yourself to bloom. 

I bet you'll even find your smile if you think you've lost it. 

Repeat as necessary.

My Popa told me "It's better to give than receive," so here is point two for you to ponder as you make holiday gifts:

If you stencil something for someone to wear 

it is kind of like wrapping them up in a big hug 

until you visit in person again.

Steps:

Wash the blouse you are stenciling without fabric softener. Dry. Iron if necessary.

Cut the petals (and maybe leaves) you want out of thin cardboard (such as the envelope your stencils were shipped in).

Put a piece of cardboard or butcher paper between the layer of the fabric you plan to stencil and the other side of the blouse to protect against bleed-through.

Use fabric paint or a mixture of acrylic and Fabric Paint Medium by Golden and your favorite stencil(s) to create the petals. The stencil goes under the cardboard petal.

Outline the petals, add the stem (and leaves) using a thin brush or marker or Fantastix & permanent ink.

Toss it in the dryer to set.

I wish you fun and joy!

Carol B