Creating Custom Patterns of Fabric with Stencils by Tammy Tutterow

I confess, I am totally addicted to gingham patterns. Recently I wanted to create a small decorative pillow for my living room. I really wanted a gingham pattern but couldn’t find just what I wanted. Instead (and even better) I found a perfect piece of linen fabric in just the right shade and used my Gingham 2 Step Stencil to create exactly what I wanted.

Begin by ironing your fabric. If it is a soft fabric you may want to add fusible interfacing to the back side of the fabric to give it more structure. Adding structure will keep the fabric from slipping and moving under your stencil as you work.

To stencil, simply place the desired stencil (I’m using L531 Gingham Two Step Stencil) on top of your fabric. Use a fabric ink or paint (I used Tsukineko Versa Craft Ink) to apply color through the stencil. When working on fabric, use a pouncing motion with an ink or paint dabber to apply the ink or paint. If you brush or wipe the ink onto the fabric with the dabber you may create extra lint and cause the fabric to get a fuzzy or brushed look.

If you would like to learn how to use my Two Step Stencils, check out this video: Howto Two Step Stencil (https://www.tammytutterow.com/2017/06/video-tutorial-gingham-background/)

After you have created your background, you can add additional design by layering more stencil designs over the first. On this pillow, I added small posies and greenery using my Posie Parade and Petite Greens Two Step Stencils.

To add additional texture, I cut out a word and small round posey centers from wool. I layered the word over the stenciled background in the center of my fabric and placed the circles in the center of the stenciled posies.

I added simple embroidery stitches to the center of each posey center for extra detail.

I love to include a heart on all my projects so I added a white wool heart next to the word. I embellished the heart with a few small die cut flowers and leaves. I added a tiny button to the center of each wool posey.

Even though I fused the word in place on my pillow front, I like to add stitching to the edges to give it a finished look. I used a blanket stitch to add that detail.

I love that I was able to get just the look I wanted for this pillow by using stencils and inks on my background fabric. It gave the finished pillow a truly unique look that matched perfectly with the other elements!

Products shown:

L531 Gingham Two StepStencil

L534 Petite Greens Two Step Stencil

L536 Posie Parade

Weeks Dye Works Linen, Wool, and 6 Strand Embroidery Floss

Just Another Button Company Buttons and Pins

Therm O Web HeatnBond Lite Fusible Interfacing

Therm O Web HeatnBond Lite Fusible Adhesive (for fusing wool shapes in place)

Tsukineko Versa Craft Ink

Tsukineko Ink Dabbers

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