Stencils...out of style?
 

I went to a quilt show and did not find ONE quilting stencil for sale at the entire show.

Are they that out of fashion? I guess I'm behind the times.

I just found it really odd.

Watson

That's a good question. I don't believe I've seen any stencils at my local quilting store but the next time I go I will definitely look! I have quite a few but find I tend to use the same two or three for my border work.

ive seen them , and I order them on line too

I love quiltingcreations.com. I don't go to many quilt shows, but the last one I did attend had a big wall of stencils

I like the full line ones.....but have some others i like as well there is always a booth full at the paducha show in the rotary building ...i think it is jd stencils

There's a store about an hour from where I live that has an awesome selection. When they go to the local quilt shows, I always pick some up to build up my own stash. I've learned what I like. I am finishing up a quilt that I actually had to drive to the store w/ my quilt to get something because I didn't have anything that would work.

But, to answer someone's question, I don't find quilt shows cater to hand-quilters at all. :(

Not that I've been to a lot of quilt shows, but I have never seen stencils for sale at the shows I have been to. The ones I have were picked up at JoAnns, purchased online, or at thrift stores.

Free motion quilting is all the rage now... additionally stencils seem to be very limited in their use... don't get me wrong, there are a LOT of beautiful stencils... problem is, how do you scale them to fit your quilt if you do anything non-standard? Fine if you want to do an elaborate border or an all-over design that can be a pain to do freehand. My main complaint is that I don't want to spend a bunch of cash for a tool I'll use once maybe twice... if your guild has a library of loaners then it makes sense to add to the collective.

I do have some stencils (I long arm) but find that I don't use them as much as free motion or ruler work. Why? Well, it takes a lot of time to mark the stencils--plus then you have to get the markings off--which when I do use stencils I will use either chalk, the F & P ceramic pencil (LOVE this), or a blue or purple water soluble pen (don't use these on customer quilts unless we've talked about it first as they HAVE to completely immerse to make sure it gets out of bat and back, not just top). also, it seems like lots of stencils are made for handquilters or are at least not continuous, which is what is preferable with long arm quilting. What I do use often is Pam Clarke's (and similar) stencils that give registration markings to use with FMQ or ruler work.
I've found good stencils at the Stencil Co. booth at several shows--check out their website. If you still don't find what you want, just google stencils and long arm quilting supplies.

I have some and have made a few. I believe I have about 9-10.

I have a few that I sometimes use. Since you mentioned it, I don't remember seeing any stencils at the last show I attended.

I don't know if the OP was referring to hand, fmq or long arm stencils. I'm a hand quilter so tend to focus there. Also, haven't been to a show in a while..last one was Lancaster a couple of years ago. I'm also close enough to Lancaster to pick up so great stencils there. But I will also say, one of the best places for HQ stencils that I've ever run across was at a LQS in ABQ in NM. Just wish I could remember the name of the shop. I picked up several for my stash. Many of which I've never seen before. They were awesome.

I've thought about using a stencil on a border but I'm afraid I will screw up my quilt. Is this procedure difficult and does the paint make the fabric stiff?
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As long as there are still quilters who quilt on their DSM, there will always be stencils. I collect most of my stencil stash in the 90s. This company is still in business:
http://quiltingstencils.com/

Betty62: if you want to use painting stencils to stencil a permanent design on cloth, check out dharma trading co. Online for setacolor or jacquard fabric paints.
But the others were discussing stencils to stitch the quilting.

I am a hand quilter so I do love stencils. I find them at my LQS and Joanns. We have a lot at my quilting group ,too.

I also like to use my stencils for hand embroidery.

They always have them at my quilt shows. I purchase them online. I know the ultimate stencil is pretty popular

Back in the day Walmart use to carry a large assortment of quilting stencils. I bought one of each when the old Walmart went out and moved the the Super Walmart. Most are very big to fit one square, Sunbonnet Sue stencil, scenes with tree and bunnies, butterflies, cables, feathers, cross hatch, stipple, border corners, etc.

I thought one day I'll have time to hand quilt and I'll need these. LOL. I think I paid .25 for each. They are on the pink stencil sheets, very sturdy. When something is dirt cheap compared to the retail price I buy. Now I don't have to pay $ for a stencil.

I did the same as Onebyone - bought a lot of stencils years ago, haven't used them yet. But I do plan to try in the near future.

I have a small selection of Stencils which I use occasionally . I picked them up at NEC Birmingham a few years ago, they were on offer but not exceptionally cheap.

It does seem there are fewer stencils on display at LQS's here in the DFW Metropolex. Last time I went to the Houston IQS, there was a huge display, but that was 4 or 5 years ago.

I own only 1 stencil & I have used it numerous times in different quilts. It's a 6" stencil so it's versatile enough that I can use it in a 6" or even an 8" block. Also, I've found that I can use just parts of it on a quilt if I have small places that need quilting. I've not mastered free motion quilting so stencils are perfect for me.

Visited this booth at the Quilts of Valor Quilt Expo in DM, Ia.
Walls of stencils!!! Many cute ones!
There is a 2016 catalog

The Stencil Company
www.quiltingstencils.com

217 Altermoor Drive
Natrona Heights, Pa. 15065
724-540-5076
Fax: 724-540-5079
[email protected]

Info off the cover of the catalog.
Enjoy!

I have quite a few and I have used them often. I usually trace the linear ones onto tissue paper and pin them to my quilt. This allows me to get them spaced properly at centers and corners. And, I don't have to worry about washing out. I like to use them a lot. I like FMQ but my brain freezes without 'training wheels' My stitching is good and even but I just can't do it without guidance of some sort. I shop as often as I get the chance at Harriet Hargrave's quilt shop in Wheatridge, Colorado. She has lots of stencils in the store because of her emphasis on traditional quilting.

I have several for hand quilting that I purchased at Hancocks. So I won't be doing that anymore. :(

I have stencils that I bought several years ago & a few newer ones too. I use them but not as often as I would like. Usually they are the wrong size for what I need. I probably could resize them myself & recut them but that is a lot of work for my brain! lol I use them if they fit but otherwise I'll try & free motion or use one of my rulers I have. I have seen a lot of them though at Joanns & at our LQS. Maybe in some areas they don't sell well & could use the space to sell better selling items

I haven't any bought stencils until I bought Cindy Needham's Ultimate Stencil. http://cindyneedham.com/ultimate_stencil.html I design all my quilts and the quilting that goes in them and the ultimate stencil allows me to do that. I took a workshop with Cindy and it included how to use the ultimate stencil. It was very fun and easy to turn out beautiful circular/squarish quilting designs. I even won two 2nds at the County Fair this use using the stencils. It is not good for border designs. Look at her videos so you can see how to use it. and whether its right for you. It lets you be the designer and very easy to use. [ATTACH=CONFIG]552669[/ATTACH]

Connecting Threads has their stencils on sale for 40% right now. I just bought a couple and you get free shipping if you order $50.