This is a stencil I designed a couple months ago. It is in the style of fire trucks from the 40s-50s. The advantage of using stencils is that I can get sharper lines than if I was applying the was freehand. The stencil both masks the areas so I don't put was on them, but also seems to help keep it from wicking into the fabric as much. Also, it makes a design more repeatable. I cut this stencil at 3 different sizes so it would scale to a toddler's shirt as well as an adult's.
In looking up pictures of fire helmets I learned that firefighters have the nickname Leatherhead since the helmets were traditionally made of leather. The leather is being replaced with polymers and other plastics. The back brim is wider so it helps the water run down the back rather than inside the collar.
