How to Get More Out of Your Stencils Using This Simple Tip

In this post I’ll be sharing How to Get More Out of Your Stencils Using This Simple Tip.

I’ve found a passion in stenciling, and have started a small collection of stencils from places like Hobby Lobby and Michael’s. 

There are times, however, when I start a stencil project, but I really want a different design from the stencils I already have. 

I’m not always able to run to my 2 favorite stores to get some new stencils, so I simply go shopping in my own stash. 

You might be asking, “I thought you wanted a different design from the stencils you already have though?” I do, but I can get a different design by using the stencils I already have with this easy tip!  

Some stencils have a layout, where they can be mixed and matched in whatever way desired, while others have a specific pattern layout.  My tip is to use just parts of the specific pattern layout stencil rather than the whole pattern. 

I’ve put together this tutorial to show just how I am able to use parts of stencils to make unique designs on projects. 

I had a scrap board lying around that will be my stenciling canvas. 

I painted it first with a layer of blue, then white, and another blue layer, letting it dry between coats.

I bought this vine stencil a while back at Hobby Lobby for 80% off because of that big gash down the middle of it, cut by a box knife.  I have used this vine stencil on our kitchen table which I’ll post about soon.

I chose to use just a small part of this stencil to get a new design for a framed look on this board. 

(Don’t be alarmed by the messy stencil, I ended up cleaning it off before going too far into this project.) 

You can see from the picture below where I stenciled just a small part of the vine pattern.

When using parts of a stencil I find it helpful to use a smaller stencil brush, and if by chance I get paint in an unwanted area I gently take 220 grit sandpaper to the stenciled area to “erase” any unwanted paint. 

Distressing the entire piece helps to hide any oopsy paint marks too. 

Also, it may be helpful to tape paper over areas of the stencil that are not going to be used in the new design.

I repeated the part of the design above around the edge of the blue board, to give it a framed look. 

After the paint was dry, I took a piece of 220 grit sandpaper and distressed the entire piece, hiding any oopsies in the process. 

Now it’s ready for an inspirational message or favorite verse or quote.

Projects using Parts of Pattern Stencils

Here’s a project where I stenciled my kitchen backsplash with this floral stencil.  

I bought this stencil just for this project, but implementing my secret of using parts of the pattern stencil, I have also used this stencil on nearly half a dozen other projects as well, all with a different design and look to them.

Here are some projects where I’ve used parts of the stencil pictured above, to make different designs.

Here’s a table I stenciled using this flower stencil.

The pictures below use parts of the same flower stencil as the table.

I love how much more I can get from my stencils by isolating and designing with different parts of them. 

Next time you want a different design, you might want to look at your own stash and see if there’s a new stencil already there.

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