How To Stencil A Blanket Using the Herringbone Stitch Pattern

Stencils Can Embellish A Plain Blanket

Welcome back, my DIY friends!  Cutting Edge Stencils hopes you had a terrific weekend. It sure has been chilly here in Northern NJ.  While we were sitting all snugly on the couch this weekend, we happened to notice our comfy solid colored throw lacked personality.  Is your throw screaming for a little patterned personality also?  Rest assured we have the perfect project for you today. Let’s get started…

We’d like to introduce Andrea, the clever DIY blogger behind Andrea + Chris + Our Chaos.  Andrea had recently bought the Gurli blanket from Ikea, a simple beige throw for $14.99.    It was a handsome throw which she planned to use in her living room but it lacked the patterned pizzazz she loved.  Andrea decided to stencil the throw using our Herringbone Stitch Allover pattern.  We told you she was clever!

Here is the scoop on how to stencil a blanket (this project comes from Andrea + Chris + Our Chaos):

First you’re going to need the stuff listed below:

• A blanket (the Gurli blanket from Ikea was used for this project)
• A stencil (for this project the  Herringbone Stitch Allover was used)
• Dense foam roller <— We prefer the one in this link.
• Painter’s tape
• Small paint tray or plastic plate
• Paper towels
• plastic tablecloth
• Craft paint found at Michaels or JoAnns ( for this project Martha Stewart paint in Rose Gold was used)
• Fabric Medium

1. Gather Materials: Start the stencil project by gathering all of the materials listed above.  If it’s needed, iron the blanket to remove any wrinkles.

2. Secure The Stencil: Find a flat surface to complete your stencil process.  Andrea used her dining room table.  First, she put down a plastic tablecloth on the table and secured it with tape.  Then she placed the blanket on top of the plastic tablecloth, and positioned the stencil design on the blanket. She then secured the stencil in place using painter’s tape.

3. Start Stenciling: Here’s how: Pour your craft paint onto a plate or paint tray.  Then roll your dense foam roller into the paint and roll off the excess paint onto your folded paper towel until the roller looks almost dry.  It is key to use as little paint as possible when stenciling.  Too much paint will cause the design to bleed and smudge.  Next you will paint the design onto the blanket with the roller.  For this project, Andrea used a paint similar to Martha Stewart’s Multi-Surface Craft Paint in Rose Gold.  She did mix a bit of fabric medium into her paint to ensure a soft touch to her final craft.

4. Complete the Pattern:  Allow the paint to dry a little and reposition the stencil so you can continue to paint the pattern on the entire blanket. Let the paint dry for about two hours before placing it on your couch.  Andrea kicked back and was ready to relax once her blanket was stenciled!

Are you ready to see Andrea’s newly stenciled blanket?  Here it is dressing up her living room sofa.

She says, “It was a quick and simple project. And now I have a one-of-a-kind metallic herringbone throw blanket :)”  We love this idea!

Tell us, what do you think of the idea of stenciling a plain blanket? Leave us a comment below.

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Thanks for reading, and happy stenciling!
Michelle and the Cutting Edge Stencils Crew