chickenscratch Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 Has anybody here ever made their own stencils for use with miracle powder. I tried using a size 18 needle and some stenil plastic to stitch the design using my DSM, but when I pounce it, the powder doesn't go through the holes. Do I need to use a drill or something, or cut it with a razor knife? I've got this huge quilt to mark, 90 x 110, and I don't want to use the blue marker over the whole thing, that will take forever. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 I tried once with using a stencil burner....I think the knife would work better....just remember to leave an attached piece between the cuts....I FORGOT to do that and had a huge mess when I picked it up. But then the giggles hit and it took me seveal minutes to regain my composure and by that time I decided it was way easier to just draw the marks and be done with it...I used a light box and it did go faster for me than the hassle of the stencil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenscratch Posted October 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 I can't see through the fabric even with the light box. The fabric is black and dark red. I guess I will go to Wal mart and buy a razor knife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtreusch Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 I've made then using golden threads paper and my DSM. I used miracle chalk and marked the quilt as a rolled it. It worked great. After you stitch the paper on your DSM, there back side when the needle poked through will be a little bit rough. This side needs to go up when pouncing so that the powder can get through. Debbi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stagecl Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 I have made my own stencils...I use DBK stencil plastic which you can get from the stencil company. I cut the stencil with the double bladed olfa exacto knife. It works great. I tried poking holes in the plastic like you...it was not successfull for me. Cheryl Mathre Stone Creek Quilting Sandy Hook, VA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 I have a stencil burner and it works okay. If you're making them on your DSM with the needle, don't use a pounce pad! Get those little foam paint brushes and dab the chalk on. You're much more likely to get the chalk through the holes. I use Miracle Chalk -- the kind that stays on till you steam it off. Works great. I don't like the spray chalk because it's too messy to clean off the stencils. Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 How to make a cheap, re-usable stencil to use with Miracle chalk--- Materials- Freezer paper Nylon net--the cheapest with a big grid-any color Twin needle for your DSM-I use a Schmetz 130/705 Cut two sheets of freezer paper the same size. Draw or trace your stencil design on the paper side of one sheet. Place the paper waxy sides together and put the twin needle in your DSM. Without thread in the machine and with a shortened stitch length, sew on the lines of your design. If you have interior pieces of the stencil that will fall out after sewing, carefully number these so you can re-position them later. Use a seam ripper or stiletto to punch out the perforated design, being sure to save the interior pieces. Take the pieces to the ironing board. Pull the freezer paper apart carefully and lay a piece of netting on one side (wax side up) and lay the other piece of stenciled paper on top (waxy side down) Position any interior pieces carefully, lining everything up. Cover with a paper towel and iron on hot until the freezer paper sheets stick together. You now have a freezer paper sandwich with net in the middle. Miracle Chalk will pounce or sponge easily through the netting and the stencil holds up pretty well. It can easily be used to mark a top as you go if you are careful. You may re-inforce the outside edges of the stencil by ironing on straight strips of freezer paper to the very edges. I developed this method a few years ago when I couldn't find something to fit an awkward area. Hope you can use this idea! Linda Rech Finely Finished Quilts Olympia Wa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 Man what an invention....I'm bowing down to the Linda God....what a neat thing to make.....I'm going to copy your instructions and make some for myself...I always wind up with a spot that I could shrink a stencil into, but have never been able to successfully make a stencil so have always scanned the gizmo's and used a light box to get the deed done.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramona-quilter Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 I have used the stencil burner and it worked fine. And like with any stencil, you have to put the rough side up or toward the chalk pad. And of course, you swipe or drag the pad over the holes. You do not bounce the pad on the fabric. It makes a horrible chalky mess....so I've heard..... I heard a new way to make stencils but can't remember where I heard it....maybe Innovations. You trace the pattern you want onto the stencil plastic either using your lightbox or the patio sliding door. Then take the stencil with the pattern on it to your DSM. Insert a needle that is broken into the machine. Then stitch your plastic with the pattern on it on the DSM using the broken needle. The shaft of the needle makes a nice size hole for the chalk to get thru. Voila, stencil ! I haven't tried that yet but it sounds good.:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katydids Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 I have made stencils using the same methods listed above with the DSM. The only difference is I used a "Wing" needle and stitched on the plastic sheets (clear) that are used on overhead projectors. If you don't know what a wing needle is, it is used in Heirloom sewing. It has flanges or (wings) that stick out on either side of the needle and makes a larger hole in the fabric or whatever you are sewing on. Schmetz makes them. Then I use the pounce pad on the rough side of the stencil. Works like a champ. Patty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stagecl Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 What a great idea using freezer paper and netting. I like the idea of a broken needle or the flanged needle for the plastic. I will have to give all of these a try. Cheryl Mathre Stone Creek Quilting Sandy Hook, VA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenscratch Posted October 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 Well, I didn't get back to the computer until this morning, so I bought a razor knife and spent hours making the stencils, but they are done. I will definitely try some of these ideas next time. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmyhogan Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 The freezer paper net comination sounds good to me. I am a newbie and have to ask what is DSM? Is there a list of standard abreviations available on the site? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsurich Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 Just another take on what the rest have been saying. I use cardstock (heavy paper for scrapbooking) and run through the printer or use carbon paper to trace design on paper. Then I use a blunt hand needle (probably a needlepoint or plastic canvas needle) to poke the holes. Put a layer of scrap batting under the paper. I push the eye end of the needle into an eraser to make it easier to hold. I live in the country and needed a different size stencil one day and had all this around the house. You know neccessity, mother of invention. But it worked so well I keep using this method, I get a smoother stencil this way and it is calming to do the punching and goes quicker than you might think. Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Thomas Posted October 14, 2006 Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 I too use the overhead transparencies. One big advantage is that you can print directly onto the transparency. First you size your drawing and print onto paper to check size etc, then print onto your tranparency. Freemotion quilt on your Domestic Sewing Machine(DSM) and you can see though the stencil to place your design. You can see an example on my tips and tricks Webshots album. http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/70696059jdPhHM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.