Instructions

1. Find the side of the pillow that’s stitched closed, and remove the stitches.
2. Take out all of the stuffing and slip the cardboard or foamcore board inside (see photo). This will serve as a barrier to prevent seepage of paint to the pillow’s back side, and will help stabilize the fabric.
    
   
3. To keep the velvet from moving around, pin the fabric to the board, gently pulling to smooth the fabric flat.
4. The finished stenciled design will consist of one stenciled Scrolling Border per side, which creates a 9-1⁄2" (24.1 cm) square. The stenciled border’s outer edge will be 4-1⁄4" (10.8 cm) from the edges. Measure and mark 4-1⁄4" (10.8 cm) in from the edge on each side.
5. Center the unmasked portion of the Scrolling Border stencil on one side of the pillow, aligned inside the 4-1⁄4" (10.8 cm) mark, and tape it into place.
6. Using small and medium stencil brushes as needed, stencil the design in metallic copper paint mixed with textile medium in a 2:1 ratio (see photo).
    
   
7. The characteristics of velvet may make it difficult to use the usual swirling technique. Try the pouncing method instead, to work the paint more thoroughly into the soft fabric.
8. Repositioning the stencil as needed, stencil the border on each of the remaining three sides (see two photos below).
    
   
    
   
9. Let the paint dry completely. Then replace the pillow stuffing and stitch the opening closed (see photo).
    
   

An Idea for a Variation

Using the same techniques described for the pillow, create an elegant table scarf like the one shown below using metallic pearl or gold paint, and a black, 12" x 36" (30.5 cm x 91.5 cm) beaded velvet table scarf.

 

Scrolling Border Stencil Pattern