Step right in and discover the art of creating stencils with tips and tricks from author Nicolette Tabram.

If you’re after a simple craft that really makes an impact and is perfect for beginners, then look no further than stencilling. Immerse yourself right from the drawing board and create unique designs that can be transferred onto a whole variety of mediums. We’ve been lucky enough to chat to Nicolette Tabram, a printed textile designer who has the incredible job of designing prints and accessories, and has just released her first book, Modern Stencils. Inspired by her travels and love of pattern, Nicolette is here to guide you along your stencilling journey.

Back to Basics
The very first piece of furniture Nicolette painted was a Mother’s Day present over 20 years ago and she only returned to furniture painting as an antidote to designing on a computer and from a need to reconnect with paint. “My journey into stencilling really began when I started to sell painted furniture online. I missed working with patterns, so I hand cut a stencil, applying the design to the doors of a cupboard.” Nicolette’s designs sold quickly and it was only when a customer asked if she sold the stencil that a lightbulb moment occurred! “It was fantastic to immerse myself in the world of pattern again. Once I had the whole range of stencils there was no stopping me and I started adding pattern to an array of different surfaces. Whilst I still love working on furniture, I have recently returned to my roots: decorating on fabric.”

The Grand Unveiling
Modern Stencils allows complete novices to try their hand at bright and contemporary projects, and contains eight reusable stencils so you can get started right away. Being the first published book from Nicolette, it is understandably the biggest achievement in her career so far. “When the first copies arrived, my son sent me a message to say something exciting had been delivered. Everybody was asleep when I returned home, so I sat quietly in the lounge and opened the box. It was a huge collaboration, and everybody at the publishers did such a great job.” Writing a book is a lengthy process, but when you also have to design stencils it becomes a mammoth task. “Last summer was very intense, it involved me working to very tight deadlines, designing and testing 35 new stencils, developing the projects and preparing for photoshoots, then I had to actually write the book!”

From Dreams to Reality
So, just how does Nicolette transform her designs into stunning stencils ready to print onto a surface? “I usually begin with several pieces of inspiration; often an image on a greeting card, an old sari or something from a book, and from there I begin sketching a rough design. Once it is more refined I scan it into the computer and create a precise digital image. The next stage is to laser cut it using a polyester film, then it’s tested on paper to make sure it works and, if relevant, that the repeat is correct.” As you flick through the pages of Modern Stencils, it’s easy to be captivated by the way Nicolette transforms something plain into a beautiful masterpiece and you can tell that her mind is racing with creative thoughts. “Inspiration comes from all over the place and quite often when I’m not looking for it. It can be a beautifully tiled floor or a piece of wrapping paper. I travelled a lot whilst working in the fashion industry and collected beautiful textiles and books.” There’s a certain country in particular that really captured Nicolette’s heart. “Travel has always inspired me and the first time I visited India I completely fell in love. There is pattern, colour and decoration in abundance and I just love the eclectic approach that is so prevalent there.”

A Craft for All
The wonderful thing about stencilling is that it can be incorporated onto so many different mediums. It’s a popular technique for cardmakers and papercraft artists alike. “Stencilling onto paper is cheap and easy, and there are a few projects in the book for greetings and wrapping paper. Bookbinding with stencilled papers would make for a lovely project, especially using metallic paints onto dark coloured paper.” Feel inspired? There are only five tools that Nicolette recommends having on hand when you start out. “My essentials are a good quality stencil, a pot of stencil paint, a round bristle brush with a flat end, spray adhesive and baby wipes!”

Crafty Multitasker
Nicolette’s crafting abilities don’t just lie in stencilling, she’s also a dab hand at both papercutting and lino-cutting. “For my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary I created a large papercut picture incorporating love birds and their initials.” When you have such a special talent, it’s always wonderful to pass it on to others, and that’s something Nicolette is planning to do more of in 2018. “I love teaching and meeting people. Now that Modern Stencils has been published I’m really looking forward to adding more workshops dates and getting back into it.”

Road to Success
When you first start learning a new craft, it’s easy to make mistakes. Nicolette has some brilliant tips from her years of practice that will get you started on the right foot. “Stencilling requires very little paint, so remove as much as possible from the brush onto the side of the pot. Too much can lead to smudging as the paint is likely to bleed underneath the stencil. Always coat the back with a spray adhesive before smoothing it onto the surface. This prevents it from slipping or the paint seeping underneath. Finally, it’s a good idea to practice a few times on paper. Once you’ve mastered these basics, you’ll be well on your way to stencilling success!”

Explore the art of stencilling with Modern Stencils by Nicolette Tabram (£12.99, CICO Books)