Can anyone tell me how to make a stencil to use for quitling mofits? :?: I have one that is like a butterfly/flower mofit, where the loops intersect each other. Do I just do the outline then trace onto quilt top, then when quilting (which I do by hand), fill in the lines that I was not able to mark? I am a newbie to quilting and this if my first full size quilt. I did not mark the quilt top before I basted, but am using tissue paper for all the different designs, but the next one I want to learn how to make my own stencils instead of buying the pre-made stencils. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Joanie
Springtown, TX

You can try this

http://www.quiltcollections.com/proj-stencil.htm

You can use an exacto knife to cut your own designs in plastic sheets sold in quilt depts for this purpose good luck

Thanks Ruth.... even though that states machine quilting, I can still use these for hand quilting, right?

Now THAT"S a worthwhile site. Thanks
kathy

I love that website, Ruth, thank you, thank you, thank you! I've added it to my favorites. Can't wait to go back and look at everything!

Bless you!
Sharon

Thanks Ruth, I really liked those stencil designs.

This is a pretty good site for block samples, too, don'tcha think? Thanks for the reminder. I'd been there before but forgot to "favorite" the link.

Joanie,

I don't use stencils like I used to. I buy netting -- the type used in tutu's and draw my quilting motif on that with a Sharpie (fine point, please). You can cut the netting into pieces, make long pieces for borders, and they are virtually indestructible.

After you have the motif drawn, pin it, tape it, hold it in place if it is little, to the quilt top. Using a washable marker, trace over the Sharpie lines... voila! the motif is on the quilt top.

I tried the double bleded Xacto knives, which I found to be a pain in the butt. Besides, quilt stencils are too FAT and you get inconsistencies with the stitching. With the tulle (netting) method, and a fine washable marker, you are assured that the markings are where they should be.

Hope this helps.

Anita

that's an interesting tip..thanks

Gosh, thanks anita.... I really like that idea better.... It sounds easier and safer on my fingers. Is it the same thing as the "Mesh Transfer Canvas" from Clotilde (www.clotilde.com)? I have seen this in the catalog, but being a newbie didn't really know if that was a good idea or not. Or can you just buy it at the fabric store (or WalMart) in yards?

Thanks so much to all for your help and ideas and websites... I just love this place. I have learned so much from you all. :)

Hi Joanie,

I just purchase it by the yard, although I have found it in rolls that is perfect for borders. And go for either a grey or white... much easier to see.

Quilters find all sorts of new uses for ordinary things. Toothpicks for turning applique, yardsticks with a magnet attached to pick up stray pins off the floor, how to mold a thimble for your thumb (great for pushing the needle through thick seams), how to use the inserts in bacon packages to use for patterns, etc., etc., etc.

Hang around any quilter and you will learn something in short order. I hope you enjoy quilting. It is one of my life savers and life savors...

Anita

Now I just love the idea about the plastic in the bacon pack. I never thought of that. I just bought a pack of stencil sheets and now that I think of the bacon it would be better, it's thicker. Thanks Anita!
kathy

I never gave the insert a thought ; good idea. I save cardborad from shirts, undies all kinds to play with shapes and designs. Plastic would be better thank you

Wow, Anita, I like the idea of the netting. I have a role left over from a wedding I helped with a few years ago. Still in the plastic. I'm gonna try that idea. It sounds way easier than all the trace, move, trace, swear at yourself for having missed the count and ended up with a partial on the corner!

Thank you so much, I do use the bacon flats.....when I dare to eat bacon, have used it for stencil making for years.

Sharon

I'm glad to be of help, if that is what you call it.

The tulle is wonderful to work with... I did an Amish style using the tulle, and it was fabulous.

Another way of tracing small motifs is to use tracing paper... copy, stitch, and tear away. I have used that on hand-quilting. Works like a charm too. I improvised when I couldn't find any tulle in the quilting closet and didn't have the money to buy any...

Keep on quiltin',
Anita

http://www.quiltedparadise.com

I'm including a quotation from Quilted Paradise Newsletter to show you the kinds of articles available there:

Plastic Quilting Stencils and Templates -

There are many products available for marking your quilting design on a quilt. One of the most common is the quilting stencil. Quilting stencils are usually made of lightweight plastic and have slots cut through in the pattern design. They are inexpensive and readily available at quilt stores, chain stores, and online.

Please look at your quilting stencil. You will see long cuts through the plastic with short 'bridges'. These bridges are necessary to keep the stencil intact. But as you are quilting you would continue to quilt the marked lines through the unmarked 'bridge' area to the other marked line.

Some quilting designs made into stencils are continuous and some are not. When machine quilting you might want to start with a continuous line quilting design to avoid many starts and stops and stitching back over a line that has already been quilted.

I find quilting stencils very easy to work with. You simply choose the size you want leaving at least 1/4" - 1/2" along the edge of the patch. Then mark using a washout marker, pencil or chalk.

There are several ways you might make your own quilting stencils. Use ordinary template plastic available at quilt stores and a double bladed craft knife, a wood burning tool with a stencil cutting point, or cut the stencil with a fine point scissors.

Quilting templates are also made from template plastic but are usually a shape that is actually cut out of the plastic and you trace around with a washout marker, pencil or chalk. They are much simpler to make but would not be as detailed a design as a stencil.

Both quilting stencils and hand made templates are very economical as they can be reused many times. If you get a small tear in the plastic it can be mended with tape.

posted by Mary Lou, FWL Cookbook.com @ 8:15 PM

I don't know which issue of the newsletter. I found this on http://marysquiltingbee.blogspot.com/2006/05/quilted-paradise-newsletter.html

Great stencil tip! I sure want to try it.

tx, Sibble

I have also used freezer wrap. I trace the pattern on the dull side using a permanent marker, then using a large needle sew on the lines with no thread. You can then use a pounce of chalk, cinnimon or whatever to mark. This will dust off, so I only mark what I will quilt right now. Learned this trick from John Flynn.

i print mine on paper then pin or tape them to the top. years ago, i bought a box of 15 lb pin-feed computer paper. i tear off the perforations, take out the carbon paper (which i've used to trace patterns onto fabrice for painting) and run it through the printer. i can make "stencils" up to 16.6" x 16.5" (have to make 4, line them up and glue or tape together.) I just bought a new printer that can take paper up to 14" wide. Bigger stencils are now possible. Yippee! Yahoo!

Does anybody know where to buy blank newsprint paper? i'll bet that would tear away even more easily than the 15lb stuff, which is almost gone.

I have heard the newspaper sells bolt ends. Give em a call.

WOW!!!! thanks to you all for all the great ideas. I guess I need to try all of them and figure out which one will I like the best. You guys are so helpfull. :)

Just wanted to say thanks for the tip on using netting to mark a motif on quilt top. I used tuile and it worked like a charm.! So much easier than making a template. Such great tips on this site.

glad to be of help!

Anita

you can also use an electric stencil cutter on the template plastic to cut out the small lines of your design. I bought mine at Joann Fabrics. It's made by Plaid and I found it in the paint craft section. It's fast. The only thing you need to remember is use a piece of wood under it to keep form burning the surface. The instruction are on the back. Just remember to leave a few little sections so that your pattern stays in tack. The clear stencil plastic lets you really get creative with about any design you like. If you have a printer you can make your design and inlarge or reduce it to any size that will work for your quilt and quickly tranfer that design with permanent mark to plastic and than just cut with electric cutter. Have fun

what a brilliant Idea. Netting is much cheaper than stencil plastic as well. :wink:

Hello all... Well I tried the netting and it works great!!!! WalMart had it for 57 cents a yard (so of course I bought a bunch of it!). I marked what I could then rebasted my quilt.... I like this cause now on the parts that I did not mark before basting it, I can use the nettting and mark as I go. On the dark colors I use my left over soap bars (the ones that are skinny, that way I can see, since I am so color vision). Anita, thanks again for this great idea.... :P

Joanie and Susan,

So glad it worked for you, Joanie!

And Susan, the stuff if so close to indestructible if you handle it halfway decently. Just don't let the cat play with it... I had a full border that the cat decided to play with. You can use it over and over and over... and if you don't have any tulle for a new one use a stencil you already have, copy the new stencil with a different color Sharpie, and you have 2 stencils in the same space... You could, conceivably, have probably 8 (I think that is the number of colors Sharpies come in) on one piece of tulle.

Anita

You can use stencil sheets and trace the design on them with a sharpie marker then run them through your sewing machine on the lines with a denim size needle with no thread. This makes holes that you can then rub the powder stencil marker over. The powder only goes through the holes.
You then have a dotted line to follow. Also I have found that in the gadget dept of a chain store the flexible cutting boards are larger than the stencil sheets and cost less. Usually 3 to a pak. for about $2.50. I also want to try the tulle idea. Sounds good.

MarilynG ... which store is that?

Wally World (WalMart)

The website mentioned has been disabled. Does anyone know of another website with good quilting motifs.

I am also a new quilter. I am confused as to how you know what to quilt. I have a scrappy quilt I am finishing and it has the blocks and a semi-star pattern. I did do ditch sewing in around the blocks, but how much is too much and when should you leave well enough alone. I have never done stippling--could try--but this is a gift. So, perhaps the best is to leave the block outlines on the backing and then just put ties in the center of the blocks, and leave it alone. Now it just has 15 squares on the backing.

If someone, has some general ideas as to what to quilt around I would be interested in hearing from you. Thanks.

It now says this site is not available. I was looking to make my own stencil also. Kyia

Thanks for all the great hints and tips. I’ve found use for a few already and several answer questions that have been nagging my noggin.

I'm trying the mesh idea next time but found this company on the net selling 'em cheap:

http://www.quiltingstencils.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=14

Being a newbie also...thank you for all the great tips. I did find 1 tip on my own for stencil making...I found some cheap plastic report covers at the Dollar Store..they come in many different colors and hold up great for stencils while being easy to cut with scissors or an exacto knife.

I have used tracing paper with lots of good results and recently tried Glad Press and Seal. The GPS works great..however you have to be diligent about cleaning up your machine often...it will gum it up.

I think I'll try the tulle idea..it sounds easy.