how do i make stencils? i am interested im making multilayered ones?

Answer 1

You can buy blank stencil sheets at your local craft shop like Hobby Lobby, Ben Franklin, or Mychael's. They are just thin, clear pieces of plastic in a variety of sizes. Then, you need a stencil knife. These are also available at craft stores - I think for around $15? It is a tool that you plug in, rather like a wood burning tool, but the tip is a thin wire that heats up and cuts through the plastic stencil sheet. Draw the picture of your stencil on paper, and tape it down to a heat-proof surface. Then, place the plastic over it, tape it down so it doesn't shift, and start cutting. You can make as many layers as you want this way - just make sure you put some kind of registration mark in the same place on each sheet/layer so that you can line each layer up properly with the one before it.

Just a word of warning, though - I thought this sounded like a really easy, fun, project but it was HARD. You have to maintain a constant, steady pressure on the knife or your edges turn out uneven, and your hand cramps up a lot. Or at least, mine did. And even if you get your edges cut relatively smoothly, they still end up with little plastic spurs on them that you have to sand off with an emery board (I just used one from my nail polish supplies). You may want to start out with one that you don't have to layer, just to make sure the process is working for you and that you don't get discouraged by jumping into something that is over your head. Just a thought..... Anyway, hope you have fun - more fun than I did!