What every well-dressed dog (and goat – yes, a goat) will be wearing on the Fourth of July – a flag-inspired kerchief with freezer paper stencil painted dog bones for stars! Strip piecing makes the stripes. Patriotic puppies will want to sport their own custom dog kerchiefs. Thibodeaux is wearing his new kerchief. His good friend Mr. Bill is always nearby. This is a perfect project to learn freezer paper stenciling.


How to Stencil with Freezer Paper
Have some fun making this flag inspired dog kerchief for your pooch. Pull out some freezer paper, and paints, then have some fun with this easy project.
This is a perfect DIY Fourth of July project! Make one for all of the dogs in your world!
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Materials
- Fat quarter navy blue fabric
- Fat quarter red fabric
- Fat quarter white background dog paw print fabric
- Fabric to line the kerchief; this can be pieced
- White Shiva Paintstik
- Freezer paper
- Press cloth
- Brush cleaner for oil paint
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Scissors for paper
- Craft knife
- Stencil brush
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting Mat
- Quilter's ruler
- Iron
- Ironing board
Instructions
- Start by finding a bone image in the public domain, or draw one. Using public domain clip art, I found a dog bone image that I could edit to make multiples and in the right size to give me a "field" of bone-stars that measured about 6" X 6". This was a snug fit for my 92-pound dog - adjust up or down to fit your dog. I printed onto the dull side of the freezer paper with my ink jet printer, then cut out the bones/stars. Freezer paper makes for great temporary stencils, in any share you can cut out!
- Iron the freezer paper stencil to the right side of the blue fabric. Prepare your white Shiva Paintstik by cutting away the hard film from one end with the craft knife. Have your brush ready Keep anything you don't want painted white out of reach - oil paint is forever!
- Apply the paint directly to the stencil brush in a well-ventilated area. Taking care to keep the freezer paper stencil attached to the fabric, paint each dog bone from the outside edge to the center - this will help you keep your outline nice and crisp. Apply two or more coats to achieve the effect you want. When you are done painting, your Paintstik will develop a new protective coating until you are ready to use it again. Shiva Paintstiks are great on fabric because the hand of the fabric stays soft - doesn't get stiff like craft paints can.
- Using a press cloth to protect your iron, heat set the paint. Here is a completed field of blue with doggy "stars". When the paint is dry, cut your painted fabric into a 6-1/2" by 6-1/2" square, or the appropriate size for your dog.
- Using your rotary cutter and mat, cut the red and white fabrics into 1-1/2" strips that are 22: long. With three (3) red and two (2) white strips, sew an alternating strip set right sides together with a 1/4" seam, beginning and ending with a red strip.
- Cut two (2) 90-degree triangles with a red strip along the long edge and a red strip at the 90-degree corner. Matching the long red stripes at a blue corner, sew the triangle strip sets to adjacent sides of the blue square, right sides together. Be careful not to stretch the bias edge of the strip sets. If your stripes are a bit longer than the blue square, you can square it up later. Press seams to your preference. See our article on pressing seams.
- Use your rotary cutter and ruler to neaten the long red edge of your red, white and blue triangle 1/4" from the blue corner.
- Using a 1/4" seam, add a white strip to the long red edge, offsetting the white fabric with an extra inch or so. Then add a red strip in the same way. Continue alternating strips until your kerchief is the right size for your dog. I added four (4) strips for my big dog, and I could have added more to make it easier to tie.
- Here's the "top" sewn and ready for trimming. Using the blue square as your guide, trim the uneven raw edges of the stripes to make a large stars and stripes triangle.
- Sew a backing fabric around the edges, right sides together, leaving an opening for turning. Turn the kerchief right side out, pres, and topstitch along the outside edge.
- And the finished dog kerchief! (Made some for the grand dogs, too.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Reynolds Freezer Paper Plastic Coated 18 Inch Total Of 150 Sq Ft Butcher Wrap Paper, Great Also For Arts & Crafts, Shelving, Protection, Banners Etc. (Original Version)
- Jack Richeson 121501 Shiva Oil Paintstik, Student Colors, Set of 12
- U.S. Art Supply 5 Piece Wood Handle Stencil Brush Set - Natural Bristle Wooden Template Paint Brushes - Watercolor, Acrylic, Oil Painting - Craft, DIY Projects, Card Making, Chalk and Wax Furniture
Use this basic technique of freezer paper stenciling for a variety of projects. Perfect for home dec project or upcycling clothing. Pick a design or motif, copy it onto the freezer paper, cut it out and go to town stenciling. Freezer paper stencils do keep and can be reused. Protect them in a file folder until you are ready to use them again.
Can I use freezer paper as a stencil?
Yes! Freezer paper is an excellent medium for making a stencil. It can be reused several times. It is not as durable as a plastic stencil, but will hold up for many uses. What makes it a great medium for stencils is that it is easy to find and easy to cut!
Do you put freezer paper stencil shiny side up or down?
To apply the freezer paper stencil to your fabric, lightly press the shiny side DOWN to the right side of your fabric before stenciling. The shiny side will lightly adhere to your fabric keeping it in place while you stencil. Make sure you don’t put your iron on the shiny side, or you might just be cleaning your iron instead of stenciling!
Is freezer paper better than wax paper for stencils?
Yes. I don’t recommend wax paper for stencils. Freezer paper can lightly adhere to your fabric making it easy to stencil. With wax paper you need to use something to adhere the stencil to your fabric, like painters tape.
Thibodeaux is choosing his favorite with the freezer paper stencil bones.



Browse through more great ideas and inspiration to decorate your home, pets and even goats to celebrate the fourth of July.





