I am wanting to quilt my puzzle quilt with the design of puzzle piece shapes put together. However, I haven't been able to find a ready made stencel. I bought a wood/stencil burner & have the template plastic & drawing. Haven't any idea where to begin though. Have any of you made your own stencil to use to make your quilt for quilting. I have never premarked my quilt but feel I really must this time. Before I've just done FM or hand quilt some designs. Not this time though I want what I want but now just have to get the information on how to do it. :oops:

I have drawn and cut my own stencils. I draw them first on a paper, then lay the stencil material on top and draw it onto that. Then I cut it out with an exacto knife. I don't have the equipment you have. It's easiest to cut it out on a piece of glass for me.

I have made my own stencils using cool-whip lids. I first trace the pattern with permanent marker, having the design underneath the lid, then I burn the marks with my burner on top of a piece of glass.

I make stencils all the time. I use the template plastic, a stencil cutter and a picture frame with glass in it. I put my pattern behind the glass, tape the plastic on top and very carefully use the stencil cutter (sort of like a wood burner) to trace the lines of my pattern. It just takes a little practice so suggest you start with something fairly simple.

I use my wood burner to make stencils. Word of advise, do it out in the garage or open a window, because the burning plastic really reeks while you are doing it.