INPUT NEEDED: What Types of Stencils Are Your Favorites?

How interesting that you bring this up.  I have sooo much to say about this topic  at the moment  I just can't get my fingers to type fast enough.  Julia you made me a believer in  "ESP"  How did you do that?/..lol..  I just had a learning experience (who needs that sometimes...right)  when it comes to stencils it's QUALITY...QUALITY...QUALITY....never leave "The Mother Ship" when it's been sooo good to you......now I need my morning coffee.....grrrr

I found myself wanting graduated sizes of the same stencil at Easter.  I felt like Goldilocks...one was too big, another too small...none fit "just right" on the cookie cutter I wanted to use...and I didn't want to hand cut cookies with a template.  I'm lazy that way.  I'd like to see sets that include the same pattern in mini, mid-size, large, and even XL on either one long single stencil or several individual stencils in a "set".  I'd also like to see some of the layered stencils in smaller sizes, made specifically for culinary cookie use (airbrush) with the Americolor or other brand recommended colors on the instruction sheets.  Those are my wishes!  Thanks for asking 

Stenciles for cutters availables on the market.   I bought a stencil and to find the right shape for it costs 2 sets of cutters and many individual cutters to math the right.

Clasical shapes like Egg, round, square, heart, Triangles, Poligonal shape. plaques.

Interesting . . . So, can you describe what you mean by "quality", Debbie? A particular thickness? cleanness of cut? something else? I would also love to know your "mother ship." Feel free to email this information if you'd rather not say here, and I will keep confidential, of course. I can also understand if you'd rather not share. Thanks!

Would graduated stencils (of a few different sizes in a pack, like Debbie suggests) also resolve this problem? So you could choose the right stencil size to fit the cutter rather than searching for the right cutter?

I'm gonna admit I haven't read through the comments yet, so sorry if this has already mentioned (lol) but,

I have never been incredibly interested in stencils, and haven't been attracted to the idea of buying just one and hoping I could have multiple uses for it down the line. Or have never cared to collect a mass of them for efficient use-

That being said, what about some sort of starter pack of stencils? Maybe something not as big as they usually come- almost swatches or something of the like? Or, even, sets of the same theme sold as packs?

I, as someone who doesn't typically stencil, would be more interested in seeing something like this (small sets vs one big sheet) and as a consumer would be more likely to try these out before committing to being loyal to a stencil-maker and buying them sheet by sheet. 

My two cents!

I was just thinking that I needed a background stencil with space left in the center for writing. My plan was to take a normal background stencil and tape off the middle section of the stencil with painter's tape as a workaround. I hope it works!

That should work - that's how I mask off odd areas. But another way to accomplish what you need/want is for me/someone to create different masking shapes - pieces you insert over the background stencil to mask off areas in the center. They could be various shapes (ovals, rounds, plaques) of graduated sizes. What do you think of this idea?

I shared........  )

I agree with previous comments on quality, and for me that is the thickness of the stencil itself. I have been very disappointed with quite a few of the stencils out there, in that they are very thin, flimsy plastic. It makes it difficult to not only airbrush with them, they "bend" (no matter what technique you use to "hold' them), not giving clean lines or out of shape pattern. As for use with RI smaller pieces of the stencil lift and its hard to get nice stencil pattern (thickness) when the plastic is so thin. I find the stencils I make myself using template plastic (from the quilting/patchwork section at craft stores) makes a much better stencil.

I commented on facebook I like the idea of border & frame stencils, and I am sure anything you have a hand in design will be exquisite, Julia.
One of the biggest things that I find with the current stencils on the market are that they all are very geometric in design (the same cut-out in a grid on the stencil) and very few organic, non structured designs. For example floral designs (and not a flower in a grid over the stencil, more like a rambling rose garden pattern). I also love the idea of a filigree one as suggested by HoneyCat Cookies
Very interested to see where this takes you!
Belle

Absolutely love this idea

I agree with the comment Bellisimo Cookies made regarding quality.  There are several online shops that offer an interesting variety of designs.  I purchased a few and they are so thin that they do not work when I try to airbrush.  The videos that have been posted show a stencil that in my opinion look thicker than the ones I received, but I have been told that they are exactly the same thickness as the one I received.  I would like to airbrush with stencils but I am not willing to invest more money in stencils that could easily be crinkled up in a ball and blow around with an airbrush even when I anchor them with magnets.

I think this is an excellent idea.

I have lots of ideas.  Will comment later as I have much to do this busy

Saturday.

Will you be working with Designer Stencil?  In my opinion(I do a lot of stenciling) they are the best quality.

Great, I look forward to your feedback. Yes, I hope to be partnering with Designer Stencils; we're in the process of designing stencils now, so would love your feedback before the first set is fully designed.  Thanks!

Well, I for one would like to see more birthday related stencils. Different fonts,exciting new faces for jack o lanterns, silhouettes ect. Images to give me a start and that I could further embellish.

Because my writing is terrible(pretty bad arthritis) I'd love to see more sayings for all occasions in interesting fonts and definitely more background stencils.

I'm slightly tempted to buy from some of the online do it yourselfers but I'm sorry I just love the material that designer stencils uses.  I've used mine repeatedly and they are still like new(I've done a lot of  sample work for their catalog.

I've never used an airbrush.  I use royal icing.

I am very excited to see what you come up with.

I can't believe I forgot this one HEARTS.  I love doing hearts for Valentines.

I just saw that they have a new lacy doily.  Must get that one.  I'm pretty sure I have all their others.