February 09, 2011

DIY freezer paper stenciled scarf

Inspired by the frozen boulders the city snowplow piled up along our street, I made a scarf.

To make this, you'll need: fabric, freezer paper, scissors, iron, pencil, craft knife, cutting mat, fabric paint, and a foam brush. I used a length of jersey from the fabric store—you know, T-shirt material. Soft and comfy, and doesn't fray around the edges.

I sketched an abstract design onto the uncoated side of the freezer paper. These were just messy hexagons and pentagons that got gradually smaller. A pattern of all straight lines is much quicker to cut than curves. Since I wanted the graphic at both ends of the scarf, I traced the original design onto a second piece of freezer paper.

With an X-acto knife, I cut out the shapes. Each piece took about 20 minutes—though I was watching HGTV at the same time, so you might be more productive and less likely to cut off a limb if you pay closer attention to what you're doing.

I ironed the stencil shiny-side down onto the fabric. The freezer paper sticks like magic.

Using a foam brush, I painted in the shapes. Be sure to place a garbage bag or something protective under the fabric just in case a little paint soaks through. I used Pebeo Setacolor fabric paint, but I wasn't thrilled with the coverage. That stuff is washable after you set it with an iron, which is great. But I wanted a more opaque white, so I brushed on a second coat of white acrylic paint. Will it wash off? Probably not. Do I care, because I ever wash scarves? Probably not. (Next time I might get some Tulip brand Soft Fabric Paint and try that.)

I let the paint dry and tore off the paper stencil. Then I trimmed along the scarf edges with a rotary cutter so the design would extend off the sides.

All done.

107 comments:

  1. I LOVE making things with freezer paper stencils! Cool scarf :)

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  2. Really cute! I've never made a freezer paper stencil. No time like the present, I guess!

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  3. i love this diy! will have to try it myself now. :-) thanks for sharing!

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  4. that looks incredible! And oh my, the patience you have with an exacto knife. Color me impressed!

    www.mesewcrazy.com

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  5. I am in love with this. I am totally going to try making one!!! Thank you for the tutorial.

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  6. I am so going to do this. I have a jersey scarf that I love, and now I'll add a fancy one. Thanks!

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  7. Wow, that is gorgeous, I love your print idea! And the teal is absolutely "to-die-for".

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  8. That's very pretty... but looks like a lot of work. ;)

    Freezer paper is handy for so many things! And it irons on and comes off so nicely... or so I've heard. ;)

    Mum/maybeshouldtrysome

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  9. Freezer paper = Amazing
    Your ideas and skills + freezer paper = Really Totally Amazing

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  10. oooo I love making freezer paper stencils and this one is really fabulous and your scarf is mega cooooool looking!!! You fashion plate you.........

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  11. Well, that's awesome! Looks brand new and so much cooler than I'm sure it did before.

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  12. You can heat-set acrylic, as well, so no worries - it'll be totally washable! VERY cute idea :)

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  13. Looks great!

    One tip- you can save yourself the time to cut out the 2nd stencil and just reuse the 1st stencil. You can re-iron a freezer paper stencil several times before it doesn't stick anymore!

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  14. But how do you pull it off the fabric without tearing it? There's no way I'd be able to get it off in one piece; it sticks too well.

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  15. Totally neat! I've seen this technique before (often for kids/baby clothes), but somehow never thought about using it for a nifty, more "graphic" design fit for a grown-up. Thank you for the tut!

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  16. A simple and beautiful design. I will try but first have to find the freezer paper locally first!

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  17. Totally bookmarked this! It's beyond fabulous! =)

    Now I just have to find freezer paper! <3

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

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  18. very cute - and DOES look a lot like the world outside (I live in Evanston too!)

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  19. That is darling! I've been planning on making hubby a t-shirt with a freezer paper stencil, so I was happy to see your tutorial. Great job!

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  20. This looks fab! Thanks for sharing and for the continual inspiration. xo!

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  21. I've cut freezer paper on the Silhouette with decent success. Char from Crap I've Made has a tutorial, but mostly it's reverse the image, put paper shiny side up and tape down paper to help it glide better with some paint tape.
    -Stefanie
    2ndChanceCreations.etsy.com

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  22. love this! Jersey is my favorite material to screenprint on for scarves too!

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  23. Your scarf looks FABULOUS!!!! I love the design and your color choices!!! You really make me want to try this technique one day!

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  24. Super cute! Two more tips for this. I've only done this a couple of times, but you can tape down 2 pieces of freezer paper on top of each other and cut through both at the same time. Iron another piece of freezer paper on the back side before you start to stop any paint from bleeding through.

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  25. This is so cool!!! I just might have to try something like that during my next snow day, which could very well be soon!!

    ~Courtney
    sassyjeweler.wordpress.com

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  26. All you crafty people (both Jessica and all the folks commenting who have done this before) are awesome! I have never even heard of freezer paper stencils. This is adorable, and totally inspiring! Thanks!

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  27. Very cool! I will have to keep my eye out for freezer paper - I've never seen it!

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  28. Gorgeous. . . but, what about orange?

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  29. What a great idea and tutorial. Thanks.

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  30. I'm told it's not a good color for me, alas. I'd rather wear blue and live among orange.

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  31. I can't wait to try this this weekend. Got a $5 coupon to Joann's. Know what I'll be using it for now. What are your measurements for your scarf? I can never get a good size when I try and yours looks great.

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  32. I love the white on blue!! So pretty!

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  33. I love the design you did. Your scarf turned out great!

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  34. You make things look so easy!

    Very cool!

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  35. that looks really stunning, simple yet beautiful

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  36. Gorgeous!! Love the snow boulder design.

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  37. great project, brilliant and beautiful

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  38. LOVE it! So very pretty! :)

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  39. Beautiful idea and great tuttorial.
    Greetings♥

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  40. A gorgeous scarf, love the colour too!

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  41. This is amazing! I've used that exact paint before - I found that a stencil stipple brush works best...and you have to do three or so thin layers, letting them dry in between, to get the paint opaque.

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  42. So terrific. I will have a crack at stenciling a scarf myslef, as I think it's a must have item. Thank you for writing such a lovely blog.

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  43. wow this is stunning - love the colour!

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  44. do you think you could have used the silhouette machine to cut out the shapes? would that work?

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  45. Anonymous, yes, except my design was way bigger than the size the machine will cut. It wouldn't fit on the carrier.

    Toby E, my scarf is 13" x 58". To me, this is a little short. I bought half a yard of jersey so I'd have extra for trimming the design around the edges. I wanted it to bleed off. This is a pretty short scarf, so next time I'd probably buy a full yard and splice them together in the middle. (No one will see the splice when it's wrinkled up behind your neck.) That would be cheaper than running the scarf the other way down the bolt and buying 2 1/2 yards. Which is the length of another scarf I have, and I love how long it is.

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  46. Why hello, next year's Christmas presents! I've never tried the freezer paper thing either--it doesn't leave any kind of residue?

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  47. Love your design! Thanks for sharing your tutorial!

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  48. Wow. Impressive. And inspiring. Thank you.

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  49. Beautiful! I never would have thought to stencil a scarf!

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  50. beautiful! I need to get cracking on your Valentine stiff fabric project!

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  51. Wow, this is awesome. It seems simple enough to do but the results are stunning. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  52. That is really pretty! You should've done this in the beginning of winter!

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  53. This turned out really cute. I've never made a freezer paper stencil. Learn something new every day.

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  54. This is so great! I love the look and I think it would be cool as a table runner too! I bought some freezer paper a few months ago... I need to go ahead and use it!

    Or maybe a skirt for my daughter...

    Thanks for the fabulous idea!

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  55. At first I thought they were paper. Nice prints and concept, keep it up!

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  56. This is so great! I've been wanting to experiment with freezer paper stencils, and your project has been just the inspiration I need! I love it! (Though I hate shoveling those big snow/ice chunks...)

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  57. pretty sure the acrylic paint won't come out, judging from the clothing I have tried to wash it out of. Love the scarf!

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  58. What kind of paint do you use? Does it have to be special "fabric" paint? Love this by the way. Great job!

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  59. You are ridiculous in your awesome creativity!! I love this scarf. Thank you for always being SO inspiring!

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  60. This is Beautiful!! Love so much <3

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  61. You know I read where someone cut with the silhouette on to freezer paper for use as a stencil. I tried it without success but they did so maybe I had the settings wrong.

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  62. Awesome name for a blog! I just discovered it and I'm charmed.

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  63. I like it! But it's not Orange! You feeling okay?

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  64. Sooo lovely!! Thanks for sharing, I will definitely try to replicate!

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  65. This is such a cute scarf! I'm going to have to make some freezer paper stencils ASAP!

    Plain old spray paint also works well on fabric. It isn't stiff like you'd think, it washes great and is super quick to apply!

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  66. love this! i featured it on my blog, here: http://punkprojects.blogspot.com/2011/02/make-it-monday_14.html
    -Katie

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  67. I just recently started following your blog and I am in love! This stencilled scarf is so genius.

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  68. Oooh yeah, I love this idea. I actually have an ORANGE jersey scarf that needs something... Thanks for the inspiration!

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  69. Awesome technique with the freezer paper! Thanks for the tip.

    xoxo
    Janee
    yellowbirdyellowbeard.blogspot.com

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  70. Fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing!
    I live in India...What is a substitute for freezer paper?
    please could you email me ...parumahtani@gmail.com.

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  71. WOW! I love this! Great tutorial!

    www.youngnester.blogspot.com

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  72. Très joli! It's very original. Il love it!

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  73. Très joli! It's very original, I love it!

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  74. Tès joli! It's very original, I love it!

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  75. Très joli! It's very original, I really love it!

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  76. ah! this is just what i needed for my current project!
    thanks!

    -rachel
    boymeetsgeek.blogspot.com

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  77. oh how cute is that, love it!

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  78. Beautiful scarf! I've had a lot of fun creating with your tutorials and projects. My favorite has been using Stiffen Stuff with fabric! Can't wait to see more :)

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  79. Ok....it is too hot for a scarf but I'm thinking this would be awesome on a t shirt!

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  80. LOVE it! You could also do the same concept with butterflies or birds! I love the abstract shapes, too.

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  81. This is such a great idea :)..i'm gonna try it!

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  82. Wow...brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing :)
    Jen

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  83. Awesome. Thanks for sharing! The scarf is fabulous! Luv the blue and white. I will be making these since scarfs are my new signature wardrobe piece! And I think these are going to be "what's for Christmas" this year!

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  84. This is so cool! I think this is my inspiration for some handmade christmas presents! (Bit early I know!)

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  85. I have a scarf fettish. Love! The pattern is great! Never knew you could do that with freezer paper. Love. Love!

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  86. This is a great idea! I just tried it on a t shirt that I cut and used a stencil I had. It worked great and easy to do. Gotta make more :-) Thank you for sharing this fun idea.

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  87. This is so gorgeous! I have featured your project on my blog in my post on "Ten Fun Ways to Make Marks on Fabric". Thanks for sharing. http://www.blueradish.com.au/ten-fun-ways-to-make-marks-on-fabric/

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