Flowerpot Magic: 7 Easy Stencil Steps For A Beautiful Garden

Stencil Flowerpots – How To Make One

Plain terracotta pots have a charm of their own but stenciled, each pot becomes an original item. Choose a new terracotta pot with smooth sides that has been water treated giving an unblemished, clean and even surface.

There is a wide range of paint sample pots and ready-made stencils available from most home improvement centers so the choice of colors and patterns to paint is enormous. Masonry paints are ideal for this project since they adhere well to the terracotta surface and are very quick drying.

If you have difficulty finding a stencil you like, try designing your own – keep the shapes simple and cut the stencil from acetate or thin card. Stenciling with one color is much easier and using small sample pots keeps the cost to a minimum.

Stencil Materials

Terracotta flower pot

Purchased stencil

Stencil brushes

Masonry paint A selection of sample pots

Kitchen towel

Masking tape

Ruler

Saucer

Pencil, crayons to match paint

White paper

Cocktail sticks for stirring the paint

 

Using a Bought Stencil

1. Designing the pattern

Roughly sketch the flower pot on to paper. Using the stencil as a guide, arrange and trace the motifs on the paper and then the pot – you may decide to use the whole of the stencil, or a small section. When you are pleased with the effect, use the crayons to decide which color paint to use.

2. Practice using the stencil.

First practice using your stencil on a piece of paper. Position the stencil on the paper and fix in place with masking tape.

3. Preparing the paint.

Stir the paint and pour a little into the saucer. Dip the brush into the paint and dab on to a piece of kitchen towel to remove any excess. Too much paint can lead to bleeding under the stencil creating woolly shapes.

4. Practice the painting.

Using up and down dabbing motions, paint around the edge of the shape, then fill in the area. Each time the brush is dipped into the paint, make sure that any excess is wiped off on to the kitchen towel. While the stencil is in position, fill in all the shapes that should be in this first color.

5. Stenciling on the pot.

Position the stencil on the pot to work the first motif and fix in place with masking tape. With the stencil flat against the surface, paint all the motifs possible with the stencil in this position. Allow to dry.

6. Repositioning the stencil.

Remove the stencil, clean and dry it thoroughly, then reposition it to continue the pattern using the same color or a new one. If your stencil consists of more than one piece, line up the guide lines with the motifs already painted. If using the same color, continue to paint the motifs.

7. Changing color.

When changing the paint color thoroughly clean all the utensils, including the stencil, with soap and water, then dry them off with kitchen towels. Prepare the paint and complete the painting of the remaining motifs.

Painting stripes

Painting stripes around terracotta pots is easy if you follow a few simple guidelines. Use a pencil to lightly mark exactly where you want the stripe or stripes to be, and also the depth you want to make the stripe. With these pencil marks as a guide, stick masking tape to the pot firmly, so that, edges are stuck down to prevent the paint bleeding in behind the tape and therefore giving an uneven line.

Paint the unmasked area of the flower pot in the color or colors of your choice and leave the pot to dry thoroughly before carefully removing the masking tape.

Making your own stencil

If you have difficulty finding a stencil you like, make your own. Keep to simple shapes and use a single color paint. Ideally the stencil should be cut from acetate, on a cutting board or thick piece of cardboard, using a craft knife. Acetate is best to use because you can see through it. If you can’t find acetate, use thin white card.

Reference: The Country Look—Decor & Crafts