Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Craftsman Mag Stencil Designs

A while back Sharon went through the online Craftsman Magazines page by page. She grabbed images that caught her eye; among them were articles and designs for stencils. After this effort, she thought she should take an opportunity to share some of her favorite stencils here.

Craftsman Magazine showed a series of stencils in their new "Our Home Department" section in the November 1905 edition. Here are most of them. (Many of these pre-cut stencils can be purchased from Michael Simmons Decorative Arts here.)
Craftsman Magazine, Nov 1905
Craftsman Magazine, Nov 1905
Craftsman Magazine, Nov 1905
(BTW, both these following spot stencils can be purchased from Trimbelle River here.)
Craftsman Magazine, Nov 1905



In January 1906, in the "Our Home Department" section again, they discussed three methods of decorating fabric. Stenciling is featured and they include a number of designs (quite a few more than I show here).
Craftsman Magazine, Jan 1906
Craftsman Magazine, Jan 1906

In November 1907, they had an article entitled "Lessons in needlework" where they discuss materials and color schemes appropriate for the craft. A quote from the article was obviously written by a more skilled and hands-on generation, "One advantage of the applique so much used in Craftsman needlework was that big effects were gained so easily and rapidly. Part of the pleasure lies in watching the rapid growth of a design under one's fingers, and feeling that a charming bit of decoration is being brought into existence without the nerve-racking work required for the more elaborate and minute effects in embroidery."

In December 1907 they had an article entitled "Lessons in metal work and stenciling, showing designs and models that are excellently adapted to the use of students and home workers" where they talk about materials and fabrics and designing stencils.

These next two designs were actually "clip art" in the Craftsman magazine, but she thought they would be excellent stencil designs!
Craftsman Magazine, Dec 1907
Craftsman Magazine, Oops, date unknown


Craftsman Magazine offered an article called "A studio made charming with stencil work" and featured a series of dogwood stencils in their September 1911 edition. Here is one of them.
Craftsman Magazine, Sept 1911

In January 1913 the Craftsman Magazine published an article called "Craftsman designs for stenciling simple house furnishings." It featured these recognizable, classic designs.
Craftsman Magazine, Jan 1913

Craftsman Magazine, Jan 1913

Craftsman Magazine, Jan 1913

In December 1913, the Craftsman magazine published "Original designs used for the stenciling of the walls and decorations of a lake shore bungalow adapted from a Craftsman design" which showed the following stencil designs. (The Stickley poppy stencil can be purchased from several online merchants, including Trimbelle River here.)
Craftsman Magazine, Dec 1913
Craftsman Magazine, Dec 1913

Craftsman Magazine, Dec 1913

Craftsman Magazine, Dec 1913

Craftsman Magazine, Dec 1913

Besides these articles, there are literally hundreds of stencil/embroidery ideas in drawings, pictures and non-stencil specific articles. The Craftsman magazine is a gift left by Stickley for us Craftsman junkies and Sharon would encourage other folks to check out what's available.

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