Alexei Volkov
Plastic canvas is an easy, inexpensive, and versatile craft that is perfect for beginners. It is a variation of traditional needlepoint and is used to create decorative 3D designs. The canvas comes in rectangular sheets that can be cut down to size and there is a variety of shaped canvases like hearts, circles, and even purses. There are only a few basic stitches to learn, such as the straight stitch, backstitch, cross-stitch, and French knot, but there are many different things you can make with them. The stitches can be executed in different ways, but the best technique is to use a half cross-stitch to avoid unnecessary thread build-up on the back. The end of the thread is woven into the back side of the stitches to secure it and eliminate the need for knots. The canvas is categorized by the number of stitches per inch, referred to as the mesh, and the most common sizes are 7-mesh, 10-mesh, and 14-mesh. Designs are stitched from a gridded chart, with each symbol representing a specific color to be used.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic canvas needlepoint | A variation of traditional needlepoint used to create decorative 3D designs |
| Basic stitches | Straight stitch, backstitch, tent stitch, continental stitch, half cross stitch, Scotch stitch, reverse continental stitch, cross stitch, French knot |
| Stitching direction | All stitches begin on the back of the canvas |
| Stitching technique | Hold the end of the thread on the back of the canvas and catch the tail in the stitches as you stitch |
| Stitching order | Begin stitching at one end of the piece and work towards the other side |
| Stitching tips | Maintain steady tension, stitch pieces first and then cut them out, cut between the bars |
| Canvas type | Rectangular sheets or fun shapes like hearts, circles, and purses |
| Canvas colour | Clear plastic or coloured |
| Canvas size | 7-mesh, 10-mesh, and 14-mesh |
| Sewing thread | Use a thicker thread for needlepoint |
| Sewing machine | Use a zig-zag stitch and a 90/14 jeans needle |
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What You'll Learn
Basic stitches
Plastic canvas needlepoint is a variation of traditional needlepoint that is used to create decorative 3D designs. There are three main kinds of stitches in plastic canvas: the tent stitch, the continental stitch, and the reverse continental stitch.
The tent stitch, also known as the half cross stitch, is a diagonal stitch over one intersection of the canvas. This stitch is often used to make pictures or other geometric designs. The thread is brought to the front on odd-numbered holes and taken to the back on even-numbered holes.
The continental stitch is similar to the tent stitch but is done by going up and over diagonally. This stitch is often used to create texture on the canvas and is great for colorwork.
The reverse continental stitch is sewn from left to right, as opposed to right to left. This stitch is done by pulling the needle up through the back of the canvas at the desired hole and then inserting the needle down through the top of the canvas at the next hole.
Other basic stitches used in plastic canvas include the backstitch, the cross-stitch, and the long stitch. The backstitch is created by inserting the needle up through the canvas at even-numbered holes and down through the canvas at odd-numbered holes. The cross-stitch is done by making little Xs all the way up the canvas, while the long stitch is used to cover a lot of areas quickly.
To finish the edges of your plastic canvas, you can use the lark's head knot or the overcast stitch. The lark's head knot is used to create a fringe edge, while the overcast stitch is done by taking the needle through in the same direction (back to front) for each stitch.
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Cutting out pieces
Plastic canvas comes in rectangular sheets that can be cut down to size as needed. It also comes in a variety of pre-cut shapes, including hearts, circles, and even purses. You can cut the canvas into any shape or pattern with a pair of sharp scissors.
To cut the pieces, start by placing the master pattern on top of the plastic canvas sheet. Trace and cut out the shapes, carefully snipping any nubs on the edges to prevent yarns from snagging. Remove all marked lines with a damp cloth before stitching. If you used a permanent marker, increase the number of thread strands to prevent them from showing through the stitches.
When cutting, always cut outside of your stitching, and leave one bar in place to keep your stitches in place. For example, if you have six stitches across, you need to leave seven bars.
If you need to create a larger canvas, you can stitch together two or more pieces with a whipstitch. Stack the canvas pieces on top of each other so that the edges are flush. Pull the needle up through the top edge hole of both canvases. Wrap the thread or floss tightly against the edges of the canvas. Insert the needle into the next hole and pull it through. Repeat this process until you reach the bottom of the canvas.
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Different types of stitches
Plastic canvas stitching is a great foundation for embroidery patterns like needlepoint and cross-stitch. It is also a quick way to complete projects. The stitches are done on a larger grid with thicker yarn, making it easier to see what you are doing.
There are three main types of stitches in plastic canvas embroidery: diagonal, vertical, and horizontal. The diagonal stitch is often called the tent stitch or continental stitch. This stitch is diagonal over one intersection of the canvas and is the foundation for many other stitches. It is used to make pictures or other geometric designs. The continental stitch can be slanted or straight up and down. The half cross stitch is a variation of the continental stitch and is often used in horizontal rows. It uses less yarn and does not cover the back of the canvas.
The vertical stitch can be many different lengths and is very easy to do. One popular use of vertical stitches is in bargello designs.
The scotch stitch is another type of stitch used in plastic canvas embroidery. It is a series of angled stitches that form a square and is used to cover large areas of plastic canvas.
The cross-stitch is a natural conclusion of the continental stitch, where you go back and cross over the first diagonal. It looks like an "X" and is created by making two intersecting diagonal stitches.
The reverse continental stitch is sewn from left to right, opposite to the regular continental stitch.
The edges of the plastic canvas are often stitched with overcast stitches to finish it off. This is done by taking the needle through in the same direction (back to front) for each stitch.
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Finishing off
When you have finished stitching, you can finish off the edges with overcast stitches. This is done by taking the needle through in the same direction (back to front) for each stitch. You can also use a French knot to finish off. Bring the threaded needle through the canvas and wrap the floss around the needle. Tighten the twists and return the needle through the canvas at the same place. The yarn will slide through the wrapped thread to make the knot.
Always cut away the surplus canvas when you have finished stitching. Cut your canvas between the bars, leaving one plastic bar between the stitches and the cutting line. This will ensure you have enough plastic left for overcasting the edges.
If you are creating a wall hanging, place a plastic ring at the centre of the piece, as close to the top as possible, so that it hangs evenly. Stitch it in place using sewing thread or floss. If your kit includes two rings, place one at the top right and one at the top left, and stitch them in place. Alternatively, cut a 9" length of yarn that matches the top of the project, thread the yarn through the hole at the centre top, and tie the ends together.
For an ornament, cut a 9" length of yarn in your chosen colour. Thread a needle with the yarn and insert it through the first row of the plastic canvas ornament on the back at the centre top. Tie the two ends together to form a knot.
For greeting cards, centre the design inside the card opening and affix it in place with double-sided tape.
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Tips and tricks
Plastic canvas is a fun, easy, and inexpensive craft that can be used to create decorative 3D designs. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get started with plastic canvas sewing:
Needles and Thread
The tapestry needle is the most commonly used needle for plastic canvas work. It is characterised by its large eye and blunt, round tip. The large eye allows you to thread multiple strands of yarn or floss. You will need a different size needle for each plastic canvas count. For example, the 5-count requires multiple strands, while the others require only one strand. You can buy the required needles and threads at your local craft store or online.
Stitches
There are several basic stitches commonly used for plastic canvas, including the continental stitch, the cross stitch, the half cross stitch, the back stitch, the long stitch, and the whip stitch. The continental stitch is created by going diagonally up and over, while the cross stitch forms little Xs all the way up the canvas. The half cross stitch is half of a cross stitch, forming a diagonal stitch and is often used in horizontal rows. The back stitch goes forward two and back one, and can be used to make other stitches look fuller. The long stitch is great for covering a lot of areas quickly, and the whip stitch is perfect for the borders of your canvas.
Finishing and Edging
To finish your piece, tie a knot on the backside of the canvas and weave in the tail. To finish the edges, go up through the bottom of the first slot, pull through, and continue to the next slot. For the corners, you will need to do three stitches to cover each side and the corner. Run the yarn through several stitches on the back, pull it taut, and trim it closely.
Care and Maintenance
If your project gets soiled, you can wash it by soaking it in warm water with a mild dish soap. Do not use hot water, and avoid putting it in the washing machine or dryer. Simply soak, rinse, and let it air dry overnight. To protect your creation from soiling, you can spray it with Scotchgard, especially for items that will be handled frequently, such as tote bags. Do not use dry cleaning or cleaning solvents as they may melt the plastic grid. For dusty items, use a vacuum to remove the dust.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic canvas needlepoint is a variation of traditional needlepoint used to create decorative 3D designs.
There are three main kinds of stitches in plastic canvas: the tent stitch, the continental stitch, and the half cross stitch.
Bring your yarn up and through a hole on the canvas. Hold about an inch to 2 inches of yarn onto the backside. Continue holding your back thread and needle through the slot diagonally below and to the left of where you started.
Go up through the bottom of your first slot and pull through. Go up through the very next slot and pull through. When you get to the corners, you’ll need to do three stitches to cover each side and the corner part.
For wall hangings, place a plastic ring at the center of the piece, as close to the top as possible, so that the piece hangs evenly. Stitch it in place using sewing thread or floss.
