Used as a decorative process, stencilling has a character of its own, and an interest in proportion as it is characteristic.
The design drawn, method of producing a stencil from it will be described. Stencils may be cut in vellum, paper, parchment, lead foil, and thin brass, the two latter are unsuitable to the requirements of the decorator, the lead foil being used principally by glass writers and embossers. Having prepared the paper, the process of cutting out will be found to demand the greatest care, and, above all, well ground and sharpened tools. Have an oil-stone within reach, therefore, and use it frequently. It is quite useless going to work with a blunt knife. There is much
Fig. 93.
diversity of opinion as to the most suitable blade for stencil cutting. The ordinary penknife blade is scarcely graduated enough for the purpose, for sweeping round the curve in the pattern shape.
In cutting, the knife should be held firmly between the forefinger and thumb, the thicker part of the blade resting lightly against the tip of the second finger. The stencil paper should be held in its position by the left hand. In cutting a curve draw the paper gently but steadily away from the body, and consequently against the cutting blade in the direction required by the degree of curvature shown in the design. A square of plate glass is the best material for cutting on. Perforations of a circular form are made by the use of a leather-punch, procurable at any tool ware-
