STENCILLING OUR FROCKS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 46, 18 November 1919, Page 4

STENCILLING OUR FROCKS

Stencilled frocks nre common this summer and very lovely they arc, too. Theatrical frocks are many ot them beautified anil enriched in this way just now, slates an exchange. Stencilling is certainly a work of ait, but it is (in art wnich may bo. practised by any woman with a seiiso of brauly and a' delicate touch. Thu apparatus 13 i|iiitp cheap, ami well worth possessing, and the work itself will he found to k> comparatively simple. It may, of course, be UK'd for all kinds of decorating, and may enrich any fabric irom the coarsest, to tho finest.. A stencil plate is a perforated pieee (if card or papsr the holes iurniiiig oitter I the pattern or the background. These phil'.-s may lit , bought at an artist colourinim's or elsewhere. Every kind of d«I sign may be bought, and at every price. Quite narrow borders and tiny spray designs, or wide complicated bonki*. It will, of course, bo wis* tor the beginner in this craft to choose a .slight and dimple design on which to practise h*r 'prentice hand. A much more interesting way of going to work, and Quito possible to the eni (erprising girl is to make her own stencil plate—Avhich may be usod over and over again—and to evolve or copy lier own design on lo it. A good thing of which to make a plate is a piece ot cartridge paper.; This is very cheap, but a stronger one may bo made, from \ "two sheet" Bristol board, from which a Very gooil edge may bo obtained in the cutting. Oiled paper used for copying presses may also Ijg used for this purpose. The paper or Bristol board plate, when once the design has heon drawn and cut out (which must be done on glass with a very sharp knife), must .be sized on both sides with spirit varnish. The b«t kind to use. is sold by druggists as "knotting." > The actual work of tho stencil should I lio done in the following way: Strelch ■ the material over some sheets ol white i blotting-paper and pin it down; then pin ; over it tho stencil plate. Tho brushes . should l>3 round stumpy ones of hog • hair, and the colour should be dabbed , on with thcsS. Oil colours should be - i!isp:l, but they .should be mixed on • brown paper ns most of the oi! should 1 bo absorbed; but only a small quantity ) of paint should be- used at a timo ns it I coon dries. To apply, add a drop or ■ two of tho special stencilims medium, > which can be obtained at the same » place as the brushes. 1 4SIIOUUI tho brush become sticky while ' wonting, wash it,at once in turpentine. ' Dry it well before using again, however, ' as if any turpentine is left in it will ! make the paint run. A little practice ' will teach the beginner just the consis- ' r.eney the paint should be and tie " amount to put on the brush. Caro ' should, however, be taken in this direc 1 tion, as if caroh-ssly done it is apt to • run. Tl«e ()f sU'ncilling. is so • charming on any material that it is well ; worth trying.