Stenciled Towels

I have been crafting again. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I am trying to use up some of the things I already have. But then I always seem to need to buy something else. I will never whittle my stash down if I keep that up. I used freezer paper again like I did with the lavender sachets. This time as a stencil.



The first thing I did was print out an image that I wanted to use. For my first try I used this cute little crab. Something not too hard to cut out.



I taped a piece of the freezer paper on top of the image and then taped it all on a piece of card board so I’d have something to cut on. Then used my x-acto knife to cut it out. Mine is ancient but I think they have some now that pivot.



Then I just ironed the freezer paper onto the flour sack shiny side down. I picked up a pack of 5 towels for under $5. And I prewashed them. It doesn’t take much heat for it to stick.  Just make sure you get the edges well. (ha! see below) I mixed some fabric paint medium with regular craft paint. The ratio for this brand is 2:1. Try to work from the outside in around the edges. I may try a sponge next time. I think that would be better.



I put it on top of hubby’s magazines to catch any seepage. Why mess up one of my mine? 





I had a bit of a leak under his left claw pit. I don’t think the paper was down well. A little corner stuck and I tried to pick it off with my fingers and should have used tweezers. Then I dripped paint on the towel too. Not bad, I blotted it off pretty fast and it came off. It looked better after it dried.


The next one came out better. No leaks. Clean edges.



I added some ribbon that I already had. I pick up ribbon when I find it on clearance. It’s a weakness. I have to buy it. At first I just ironed it on with the stitch witchery hem tape stuff. But then I decided to just do a zig zag stitch and I liked it. You could use a contrasting color too. I think that would be cute. After they dry for 24 hours you heat set it with the iron.



 

I will do this again. It was really easy. Maybe a red lobster to go with the crab. I wish I had one of those cricuts or silhouettes but it wasn’t too hard to cut it out by hand. Maybe I’ll splurge on a new knife instead. Do they even make those pivoting or swiveling ones or was I dreaming?

see ya,