Ethan Clarke
Plastic canvas is a fun, inexpensive, and durable craft that is perfect for creating decorative 3D designs. Unlike cloth, plastic canvas will never fray and is easy to cut and stitch. When working with plastic canvas, it is important to select the appropriate needle and yarn or floss for the specific canvas count. Additionally, mastering basic stitches, such as the backstitch and continental stitch, is essential before attempting more complex patterns. To ensure a neat finish, it is recommended to stitch over any loose tails and trim the yarn or floss close to the canvas. With practice and creativity, you can create beautiful handcrafted gifts and explore the exciting world of plastic canvas stitching.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic canvas needlepoint | A variation of traditional needlepoint |
| Stitching plastic canvas | Inexpensive, easy, and fun |
| Plastic canvas projects | 3D designs, decorative items, cross-stitch projects, gifts |
| Plastic canvas material | Durable, stiff, holds its shape, washable |
| Plastic canvas grid | Counted by lines, threads, holes, or squares; common sizes are 5-count, 7-count, 10-count, and 14-count |
| Yarn for plastic canvas | Worsted weight yarn; Red Heart yarns are recommended |
| Needle for plastic canvas | Tapestry needle with a large eye and blunt, round tip; different sizes for different canvas counts |
| Basic stitches | Continental stitch, backstitch, gobelin stitch, overcast stitch/whipstitch, lark's head knot |
| Stitching technique | Bring yarn up and through the canvas hole, hold yarn at the back, continue pattern diagonally, finish edges by stitching through previous stitches |
| Threading technique | Thread needle with 3 feet of yarn, leave a 1-2 inch tail at the back, stitch over the tail to secure |
| Cleaning | Soak in warm water with dish soap, do not use hot water or put in washing machine/dryer, vacuum to remove dust |
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What You'll Learn
Basic stitches to master
Plastic canvas needlepoint is a variation of traditional needlepoint used to create decorative 3D designs. It is a fun, easy, and inexpensive craft. Before executing complicated patterns, it is essential to master the basic stitches and familiarize yourself with the required materials. Here are some basic stitches you need to master:
The Continental Stitch
The continental stitch is a basic stitch used on most patterns. It is used to create horizontal rows of angled stitches. To start, leave about a 1-inch tail of yarn on the backside and bring your needle up through the hole. Then, go back down to the backside at the next hole. All stitches are done in a left-to-right manner.
The Half-Cross Stitch
The half-cross stitch is the most basic stitch used in plastic canvas crafts. You can create neat, small stitches and paint your plastic canvas with colours. This stitch can be done in two directions.
The Backstitch
The backstitch is created by inserting your needle up through the canvas at even-numbered holes and down through the canvas at odd-numbered holes. This stitch may be of any length and go in any direction. On patterns, this stitch appears as "backstitch" or "backst."
The Overcast Stitch
The overcast stitch is used to finish any raw edges on your canvas pieces. It is essential for all plastic canvas projects so that the plastic is not visible when you are finished. This stitch is also used to join panels, allowing you to create boxes or freestyle your own shapes.
The Lark's Head Knot
The lark's head knot is used to create a fringe edge on your plastic canvas. On patterns, this stitch appears as "lark's head." To create this stitch, insert your needle through the top of the canvas at an edge hole, pull the yarn to the left, and then pull the needle up through the same hole. Create a loop in the yarn, which will hang from the backside of the canvas. Finally, insert the tails through the loop and pull tight.
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The right needle and yarn
When stitching plastic canvas, it is important to select the right needle and yarn to ensure your project turns out well.
Selecting the Right Needle
The tapestry needle is the most commonly used needle for plastic canvas work. Tapestry needles have a large eye and a blunt, round tip. The large eye allows you to thread multiple strands of yarn or floss, which is useful when working with different plastic canvas counts. You will need a different size needle for each canvas count. For example, a 5-count plastic canvas requires 2 strands of 4-ply worsted wool, while other counts typically require only one strand.
Selecting the Right Yarn
The type of yarn you select will depend on the pattern you are following. Some patterns will specify whether you should use one or two strands of yarn. Generally, stitches that cover 2 or more threads will require 2 strands of yarn to adequately cover the grid. The best type of yarn to use for plastic canvas is regular worsted weight yarn. This type of yarn is economical, comes in a variety of colours, and can be easily found at most craft stores or online.
Additional Tips
- When starting a row of stitches, insert your needle through the backside of the canvas, leaving a two-inch tail of yarn or floss. Hold the tail against the back of the canvas so that it runs along your stitch line. Execute your stitches over the tail to secure the row and prevent any loose threads.
- When finishing a row, flip the canvas so that its back faces up. Insert your needle and yarn through several completed stitches to create a clean finish without any bulky knots or hanging tails.
- To create a fringe edge, use the lark's head knot stitch. To create a clean edge, use the overcast stitch.
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How to finish edges
When you're stitching with plastic canvas, you don't want any loose threads hanging from your work. There are a few ways to finish the edges neatly.
Firstly, you can use a lark's head knot to create a fringe edge. Insert your needle through the top of the canvas at an edge hole, pull the yarn to the left, and then bring the needle back up through the same hole. Create a loop in the yarn, which will hang from the back of the canvas. Then, insert the tails through the loop and pull tight.
If you prefer a clean edge, you can use an overcast stitch, also known as a whipstitch. Bring the needle up through the back of the canvas at an edge hole.
Another option is to use backstitches to finish the edges. Bring your yarn up and through a hole on the canvas, leaving about an inch to 2 inches of yarn at the back. Continue holding the back thread and needle, moving diagonally below and to the left of where you started, and repeat this pattern, tacking down the string as you go. When you get to the corners, you'll need to do three stitches to cover each side and the corner. Finish by running the yarn through several of the stitches you've already made on the back, pulling it taut, and trimming it closely.
When working with plastic canvas, it's important to note that you can't use a pin stitch because there are no fabric fibres to weave the tail between. Instead, you'll need to bury the tail under the back of your stitches. It's also recommended to use yarn rather than embroidery floss for plastic canvas, as the latter is often too thin.
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Different types of stitches
Plastic canvas needlepoint is a variation of traditional needlepoint used to create decorative 3D designs. There are several types of stitches that can be used to create different effects and secure your yarn. Here are some of the most common stitches used in plastic canvas projects:
Backstitch
The backstitch is a basic stitch that can be created by inserting your needle up through the canvas at even-numbered holes and down through the canvas at odd-numbered holes. This stitch can be any length you desire and can go in any direction.
Continental Stitch
The continental stitch is another fundamental stitch used on most patterns. It is used to create horizontal rows of angled stitches. To execute this stitch, start by leaving about a 1-inch tail of yarn on the backside and bring your needle up through the hole. Then, go back down to the backside at the next hole. All stitches are done in a left-to-right manner.
Gobelin Stitch
The gobelin stitch is similar to the continental stitch but is worked over the tail of yarn to prevent the stitches from coming undone. The pattern will indicate if you should use one or two strands of yarn. Usually, stitches worked over two or more threads will require two strands of yarn to cover the grid better.
Slanted Gobelin Stitch
This stitch is a variation of the regular gobelin stitch that can be done over two or more threads of the canvas at a time. The first stitch of the row is a continental stitch, and the second stitch comes up at the second hole and down at the next hole, crossing over the first stitch. Continue across to the left side, flip, and start again.
Overcast Stitch/Whipstitch
The overcast stitch is used to finish off the unstitched edge of a project. It creates a clean edge, in contrast to the lark's head knot, which creates a fringe edge.
Cross Stitch
The cross stitch is a diagonal stitch that is often started in the corner of a square or rectangular piece of canvas. Put your needle through a hole, pull your yarn almost all the way through, and keep hold of the tail to prevent it from pulling through the canvas. Then, direct your needle through the hole diagonal to the current one. Pull your yarn until it is tight and repeat the process until your project is finished.
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Cleaning and maintenance
When it comes to cleaning and maintaining your plastic canvas creations, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Firstly, avoid using hot water, washing machines, dryers, or dry cleaning/cleaning solvents as these can damage the plastic. Instead, opt for spot cleaning with warm water and a mild dish soap. Soak the soiled area in warm soapy water, rinse, and then let it air dry overnight. For dusty creations, simply use a vacuum to remove the dust.
If you want to protect your creation from getting soiled, you can use a product like Scotchgard, especially for items that will be handled frequently, such as tote bags. This will help repel stains and keep your plastic canvas looking clean and fresh.
It's worth noting that plastic canvas, unlike cloth, will never fray. This means you don't have to worry about taping the edges, and you can cut it before you stitch. The plastic canvas is molded, not woven, so there are no fibers to stitch between, only bars. This gives you some flexibility in how you end your thread. However, the stiffness of the plastic canvas can make it challenging to bury the tail under the front stitches, as it may cause the stitches to raise. A recommended method is to bury the tail under the back of your stitches.
Additionally, to ensure a neat finish without any loose threads, it's important to stitch over the tail of the yarn. Start by leaving a small tail of yarn (about 1-2 inches) on the backside when you pull the yarn through to the front. Then, execute your stitches over the tail, securing it in place and preventing it from coming undone. This technique will give your plastic canvas creation a polished and professional look.
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Frequently asked questions
A tapestry needle is most commonly used for plastic canvas work. You will need a different size needle for each plastic canvas count. For example, a size 24 tapestry needle with 4 threads for 14ct, a size 22 tapestry needle and 6 threads for 10ct perforated plastic.
You will need to use a different size yarn or thread for each plastic canvas count. The 5-count requires multiple strands, while the others require only one strand. The 5-count plastic canvas requires 2 strands of 4-ply worsted wool.
Thread your needle with approximately three feet of yarn or floss. Insert the needle through the backside of the canvas until you are left with a two-inch tail of yarn or floss. Hold the tail against the back of your canvas so that it runs along your stitch line. Execute your stitches over the tail to secure your row of stitches and ensure there are no loose threads.
