How To Stencil On Fabric Without Bleeding

Gather Your Supplies

• Cotton Fabric or Cotton Fabric Pillow Covers
• Hounds Tooth Stencil or stencil of your choice
• Repositionable Adhesive Spray (recommended)
• Gemstone Mousse or (fabric medium – paint)
• Paper towels, disposable bowl or plate
• Stencil Brushes or Large Wax Brush (depending on the size of the stencil)
• Painter’s Tape
• Apron or painting clothes (recommended)

What Type Of Fabric?

Well, you can use any fabric you like. But some of the best results are on natural fiber, like cotton. That’s my preference.

If you have never stenciled fabric before, start with a tighter weave. The fabric is more stable and easier to work with. With a loose weave, the paint could fall through the fibers and show on the backside. No, that’s a bad thing if you’re planning on stenciling a pillow cover or using a backing on your fabric. Curtains would be a good example of this just so that you’re aware.

Do I Need To Pre-wash The Fabric Or Not?

Not all will agree with my opinion, but I suggest that you pre-wash your fabric. Here’s why.

• Fabric shrinks, especially cotton, but it depends on the fabric you choose.
• Fabric can shrink unevenly, and that can distort your design.
• It removes the manufacturer’s chemicals and protective agents.

If you decide to pre-wash, it’s necessary to iron the fabric afterward. This helps the fibers to lay down and makes the fabric easier to work with. You’ll need a smooth surface for the best results.

How To Prevent Bleed-Through On Fabric

For this project, I’m using a cotton pillow cover. To prevent bleed-through to the other side of the fabric when stenciling, try using a parchment paper barrier. Slide a piece inside the pillow cover, and you won’t be sorry.

Step 1: Stabilizing The Fabric And Stencil

Cover your surface first. Secure your fabric and design down with painter’s tape. My design was a bit larger than I wanted, so I used painter’s tape to kill the edges. This is a great way to customize your stencils. Also, be mindful to line up the fabric grain so that your design is properly aligned.

Step 2: Repositional Adhesive Spray… Recommended

Using a prepositional adhesive spray on the back of your stencil can be very helpful if you want that crisp, clean look with your stencil design. Fabric can shift and move, so it’s recommended. But I did not opt to use it with this project. 😏 I ran out. Unlike stenciling on hard surfaces, you can’t fix an oops. Only try this to secure the stencil in place with your hand and paint with the other. NOT recommended, but you know me.

Step 3: Applying The Paint/Gemstone Mousse

Depending on the paint you’re using, you should always apply it in layers in a tapping motion (up and down), careful not to push the paint under the stencil. Applying too much paint will cause bleeding under the stencil. Small amounts in layers with a good stencil brush are the recipe for success.

I’m using a new product by Dixie Belle Paint Co. called Gemstone Mousse in Golden Gem for this Pillow project. It’s a bit thicker than paint, and it’s water-based, so I opted to thin it down a bit with water. To cover this large stencil on this 18X18 pillow cover, I used about 1 tsp of the mousse and a few drops of water to create the consistency I needed. Mix well before application.

I was rather surprised after adding the water that it did not affect the brilliance of the metallic mousse.

I prefer a circular motion with my stencil brush (flat bottomed wax brush) and not the traditional up and down to apply the Gemstone mousse to the fabric. I tried both ways. The reason is because of the consistency of the paint. It’s a moose and not paint… but it is paint. It’s a paint with a mousse texture, so it’s creamier than paint. Therefore less likely to bleed under the stencil. YAY!

I also noticed that it grabs really well to the fabric. This highly pigmented mousse will now be my go-to for stenciling on fabric.

Once the paint/Gemstone Mousse has fully cured (about 24 hours at room temperature), you should be good to go.

My Findings Using The Gemstone Mousse On Fabric

• great coverage
• the metallic isn’t as brilliant on fabric but it’s still is a nice color
• easy to apply consistency
• bonds well to fabric
• washes off of stencils and fingers easily
• bonds after 24 hours (did not rub off)

Remove the stencil immediately after applying your paint, and wash the stencil with warm soapy water. Rinse with water and allow to dry for your next project.

Here’s how my pillow cover turned out and in its new home… my office. Crisp, clean lines, and a design that I L-O-V-E, in a color that I love, on the fabric that I love.

Thanks for joining me today to learn more about how to stencil on fabric. So, the next time you can’t find the pattern you want on fabric, you’ll know exactly how to get what you want.

Until the next project… xo, Do