Things You'll Need:
- Exacto knife
- Masking tape
- Cutting board
- Stenciling sheets (available at crafts stores)
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Step 1
Choose the pattern you'd like from the wall paper or fabric or even the floor tile in the room. Select all the colors you want to pick up. You may not want to put every color present as it may look busier across your entire wall than it does on the curtains or couch. You also need to cut another stencil for each new color so there's a lot more work involved, too.
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Step 2
Tape the stencil sheet over the object you want to stencil. Draw it carefully with a pencil, taking care that lines are straight and even. Draw a separate pattern for each color you want to use.
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Step 3
Choose which colors you're going to use on which parts of the pattern. Tape the stencil down on the cutting board very firmly so that it can't move anywhere. Write a letter corresponding to the color you want on each piece of that color so that you don't accidentally cut in the wrong place.
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Step 4
Cut carefully and slowly turning the board so that you are always cutting back toward yourself. This gives you greater control of the cut. Cut all the pieces of the color and then do the same with the other stencil sheets. Cut only one color per stencil so be careful to label each section properly.
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Step 5
Use the stencil by taping it to the wall and brushing--or dabbing if you like that effect--over the cut outs. Make sure that you don't overload your brush with paint as it can seep under the stencil if there's too much. Do the lightest colors first as they're easier to paint over if they do seep a little.
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Step 6
Repeat the pattern across the whole area you're stenciling. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly then carefully tape the second stencil over the area you've done. Make sure that the lines line up perfectly! Paint or dab on the second color one stencil at a time and repeat the process until the colors are all in.
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Step 7
Clean stencils carefully with soapy water after each color is done. Allow them to dry on towels with a book on top of them so that they dry nice and flat and can be used again.
