How to Use Lace as a Paint Stencil

The airy patterns found in a piece of lace can add an elegant feel to a wall, piece of furniture or arts-and-crafts project. These patterns are very hard to duplicate by painting by hand, but it's easy to can use a piece of lace as a paint stencil. Follow these steps to use lace as a paint stencil.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 piece of lace
• 1 can of spray starch
• 1 roll of painter's tape
• 1 can of paint
• 1 small paint sponge
• 1 rag

1. Spray both sides of a piece of lace with spray starch. Allow the lace to dry completely before you move to the next step. This makes the lace rigid and allows it to be a better paint stencil.

2. Position the prepared piece of lace on the surface where you want to stencil its pattern. Tape it in place with painter's tape. Make sure to secure it well so it will not move when you paint.

3. Dip the painting sponge into the paint you will be using to stencil the lace pattern. Dab the excess paint off the sponge onto a rag. Excess paint will seep under the lace stencil and ruin the pattern that you are trying to achieve.

4. Lightly dab the sponge with the paint on it over the lace stencil. Don't rub; use an up-and-down motion only. Repeat this step until paint completely covers the lace stencil.

5. Allow the paint to dry completely before you attempt to remove the stencil. Removing the stencil early will make the paint smear and ruin the pattern.

6. Start at one end of the lace stencil and gently peel it off the object that you painted. Repeat Steps 2 to 6 for any other places where you would like this lace pattern repeated.

Tips & Warnings

• Use white paint on a dark surface to make it appear that there is lace on the object.
• Use lace that has a large pattern. Delicate lace will not work as well, because the intricate details will not show up well in a stencil.