Use Vinyl Stencils on a Chair for a Decorative Look

I bought one of the Silhouette Cameos on a Black Friday deal. Little did I know at that time how obsessed I would become… I’m not talking a minor obsession, either! I’m talking “What? You’re hungry and your belly button is touching your spine? Well I can’t make dinner now, I have more vinyl to cut” obsession! Yep, my poor family… but that’s how I roll!

Anyhoo, I like using the Cameo to reverse stencil some of my projects. Reverse stenciling is where a small section of color is applied to the project, the vinyl is positioned over the color, the entire project is painted the desired base color, then the vinyl is removed. This method has produced some very awesome results and today, I’ll share my method how to reverse stencil a chair using vinyl.

How to Reverse Stencil a Chair Using Vinyl

Materials:

  • Project to be painted
  • Paint (I used my little samples of Valspar paint from Lowe’s)
  • Vinyl design of your choice
  • Mod Podge (<– affiliate link!)
  • Fine sanding sponge

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Pick a chair to build from any of the plans I’ve created on the site. Yes, I built this chair – it is my latest other obsession! It is all sanded and ready for finish so I started by marking the areas where I wanted the stencils to be.

how to reverse stencil a chair using vinyl unfinished chair

In my case, it is flowers in pink and orange so I used two coats in each little area, as well as the seat.

how to reverse stencil a chair using vinyl paint spots

I applied the vinyl and tried to be a little creative in the placement.

how to reverse stencil a chair using vinyl applied stencils
I then applied a coat of Mod Podge over the vinyl. This seals the edges so that the paint doesn’t seep through and make a huge mess of everything!

how to reverse stencil a chair using vinyl applying mod podge

When the Mod Podge was dry, I lightly sanded it with the sanding sponge, then applied three  coats of base paint to the entire project.

how to reverse stencil a chair using vinyl painted chair

I carefully removed the vinyl, then sanded with a fine sanding sponge. A couple coats of polyurethane wouldn’t hurt, either!

how to reverse stencil a chair using vinyl removing vinyl

So there you go… Give the plans a try – I built this chair using one 2×6, one 1×6, and a scrap piece of plywood which cost me less than $10.
how to reverse stencil a chair using vinyl completed chair

how to reverse stencil a chair using vinyl completed chair seat

Got a project you’ve completed using my plans? Share photos with me at cher {at} designsbystudioc {dot} com or designsbystudioc {at} gmail {dot} com. I would love to feature your work on DbSC!

*** Of course, I’m not pushing anyone to buy a Silhouette Cameo! I purchased the Cameo with my own money and have not been asked to write this post. I use it a lot and thought I’d share the method I use to reverse stencil. Vinyl decals are available in almost all craft stores, home improvement stores, and online! ***

Originally posted 2013-03-11 10:00:21.

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2 Comments

  1. This is so cool! I loooove vinyl projects but the person I used to buy the cut vinyl from no longer does it 🙁 I’ve thought about making it myself, but how do you do it? Do you create your own stencils? Buy stencils to go with your machine?

    • CherTexter

      The Cameo comes with its own program and you can use fonts from your computer. They also have an online store where designs can be purchased for 99 cents. I have the subscription deal where I get $150 worth of designs for $20 a month. Can’t beat that! Thanks for stopping by! Let me know if you have any other questions, I’m happy to help!