This is a project I’ve been working on for awhile – mandala stencils. I’ve spent quite a bit of time being frustrated – trying to figure out how they are made. There are a lot of beautiful stencils out there, but I wanted my design. Also, making it myself, I can make it as large or small as I need.
It really takes a different mindset from drawing mandalas to drawing mandala stencils. What I need to continue to remind myself that what is black will fall out. I have to make sure I don’t connect any of the black areas or the design will be gone.
So when drawing the mandala or any design for a stencil, black parts can’t touch. I guess the way I finally am thinking of it, is that all black areas need to be surrounded by white.
So as with any mandala I start in the middle and work out. I draw the outline and then fill it in.
Even though I know the lines can’t touch, I still forget. Here is an example of how close the lines got. I ended up taking white paint and painting over the black.
Here is the finished design.
Here is another one.
Now I take my drawings to my Scan and Cut. If you don’t have a cutter, you can cut it out with an X-acto knife. I don’t trust myself with those things! If you have a Scan & Cut, here is a great video on how to scan your drawing. She’s working on a card, but the information is still applicable to making stencils.
I really like to use report covers purchased from the office supply store for making stencils, but I used other plastic too. I’ll be blogging about stencil material in my next post. I like to secure my stencil material to the mat with painters tape. That way I am assured that the plastic won’t move.
Here’s the second stencil cut and ready to use.
I made these stencils to print on fabric, but before I take them to the fabric, I try them on paper first to see how it looks. Below is the paper print and the stencil.
If I’m happy with that image, I’ll start stenciling on fabric.
And the finished results on fabric.
They also work great on paper.
Finally, after many tries I came up with a couple mandala stencils I actually like and that work! Next up is my comparison of several stencil materials.
Wonderful work. It sure looks like it was worth the learning curve.
I didn’t know about Scan and Cut, but it sounds like a great tool. Beautiful mandalas — I especially like the tags.
Kj, Thanks!
Sherrie, Thanks. It is a great cutting machine but it too, has a steep learning curve compared to my previous Silhouette Portrait. Thanks for dropping by.
As usual, very good post. I don’t have a Scan ‘n Cut so I’d have to use the exact method. I’ll wait for your post on stencil material/plastic before I try it. I’ve had a design I drew awhile back and I’ve always wanted it as a stencil, just never got around to the ‘doing’ part. Looks like you’re moving a project from my back burner to a front one. Thanks, I needed it.
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Luann, GREAT! Love to move other people’s projects to the front burner! Thanks for your kind words.
Thanks for showing the process from start to finish. It is really helpful to see how making a mandela stencil works.
Jo, You are so welcome. I’m glad you dropped by.
Lynda, which Scan and Cut machine do you own?
Jane, I’ve got the ScanNCut2 – 650W.