Chloe Zhang
Plastic canvas needlepoint is a variation of traditional needlepoint that involves stitching onto pre-painted plastic canvas. The act of stitching can pull the needlepoint canvas out of shape, and it is therefore important to straighten it out. This process is known as blocking, and it involves dampening and stretching the canvas to pull it back to its original form. There are several ways to straighten a needlepoint plastic canvas, including using a blocking board, steaming the canvas, or using a dry-block method.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of blocking needlepoint canvas | To straighten the canvas, put back sizing, and fluff the stitches |
| When to block | After all stitching is complete |
| Whether to use an iron | No; ironing or pressing can flatten fibers and ruin texture |
| Whether to soak the canvas | No; this can wash out the sizing that helps the canvas keep its shape |
| Blocking board | Start with a clean, flat piece of pine board, 1/2" plywood, or medium-density fiberboard (MDF) larger than the canvas |
| Blocking board preparation | Cover with checked gingham fabric or draw a one-inch grid with a waterproof pen |
| Dampening the canvas | Cover with a damp cloth, or mist with a 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water |
| How to straighten | Pin the corners and sides of the canvas to the board, stretching and straightening until taut; sprinkle with water and let dry for 24-48 hours |
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What You'll Learn
Blocking: the process of straightening needlepoint canvas
Blocking is an essential step in the needlepoint process, used to straighten out slanted or skewed canvases and pull them back into their original form. It is particularly useful for the Continental Tent or Half-Cross Tent needlepoint stitch, which can severely warp a canvas.
Firstly, you should carefully tug at the corners and sides of the canvas to gradually reshape it. Then, with the canvas face down, place tacks every inch along the edges, stretching and straightening it to align with the grid on the blocking board. You can make your own blocking board by covering a pine board with a towel and using a T-square to ensure the canvas lines up correctly.
Continue pulling the canvas taut and tacking it until you reach the opposite corner. Then, sprinkle the canvas with water and leave it to dry for 24-48 hours in a warm spot. You can also use a steam iron to speed up the process, but be sure to hold the iron above the surface and not saturate the canvas with steam.
Blocking is a simple process but it is important to know which pieces can tolerate wetness. If you have used non-colourfast threads or added embellishments, you will need to use the dry-block method.
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Dampen and stretch the canvas
Blocking is an essential step to straighten out a needlepoint canvas and make it lie flat. This is because the act of stitching tends to pull the needlepoint canvas out of shape. The process involves dampening and stretching the canvas to pull it back to its original form.
Firstly, you need to dampen the canvas. You can do this by spraying the canvas with clean, warm (not hot) water from a spray bottle. It should be damp, but not dripping. Alternatively, you can immerse the entire project in a tub of cold water and then gently remove the excess water.
Once the canvas is damp, you can begin the stretching process. Place the canvas face down on a board and start stretching it back into shape. Use tacks or nails to secure the canvas to the board, placing them no more than 1 inch apart, and closer in places where more tugging is required. You can also use T-pins, placing them straight up and down into the canvas, perpendicular to the blocking board. Begin by pinning the middle of each side, pulling directly opposite to make the centre of the motif taut. Then place eight more pins, one on either side of each of the first pins. Continue pulling and tacking the canvas until it is taut and all the lines are aligned.
Leave the canvas to dry for at least 24 hours. During this time, the canvas should retain its original shape. When it is dry, remove the pins and your needlepoint canvas should be straight and ready for finishing.
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Use a blocking board
Blocking is an important step in finishing your needlepoint creation. The blocking process is necessary to make the piece straight again. Straightening a warped canvas by pinning it to a blocking board is the simplest, quickest, and most efficient way to stretch a finished piece of needlepoint back into shape.
To start, you will need a blocking board. You can purchase a blocking board made from medium-density fiberboard (MDF) at any DIY store. If you don't have a blocking board, you can make a padded board by adding fabric that is printed with a grid of equally sized squares to a board. You can also cover a pine board with a towel and use a T-square to make sure the canvas correctly lines up.
Before blocking, make sure your threads can get wet. Most embroidery floss, overdyed thread, and other threads can become wet, but if you are unsure, test the threads before you start the blocking process. If you are using non-colorfast threads or novelty yarns such as velvet, you will need to dry-block your needlepoint.
Once you have your blocking board and have checked your threads, place the canvas face down and start at one corner. Place tacks or pins every inch along the edges, stretching and straightening the canvas to align with the drawing on the paper or the grid marks on the blocking board. Continue pulling the canvas taut and tacking it along the edges until you reach the opposite corner. Make sure the canvas is stretched "square" again.
When everything looks straight, sprinkle the canvas with water and let it dry in a warm spot for 24-48 hours, or until it is completely dry. Remove the canvas from the blocking board only when you are sure it is dry.
If your canvas was severely warped, you may need to repeat this process several times.
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Dry thoroughly
Drying your needlepoint thoroughly is a crucial step in the blocking process. This process is used to straighten out slanted or skewed canvases, and it involves dampening and stretching the canvas to restore its original form. It is important to ensure that your needlepoint is completely dry before removing it from the blocking board.
When using the traditional or wet-blocking method, allow your needlepoint to dry in a warm spot for at least 24 to 48 hours. This extended drying time ensures that the canvas is entirely dry, preventing any potential damage or warping. Avoid soaking the canvas excessively during the wet-blocking process, as it can wash out the sizing, causing the canvas to revert to its original shape.
If you are using the dry-blocking method, which is necessary for certain types of threads and embellishments, allow the needlepoint to dry thoroughly for several days. This method involves using steam to dampen the canvas without saturating it. After steaming, ensure the canvas is completely dry before handling or displaying it.
It is worth noting that the drying time may vary depending on factors such as the thickness of the yarn, the humidity of the environment, and the stitch density. Always exercise patience and allow sufficient time for the needlepoint to dry completely.
Additionally, never use an iron or apply direct heat to your finished needlepoint canvas, as it can flatten the fibres and ruin the texture of your work, especially on textured or decorative stitches.
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Avoid ironing or pressing
While needlepoint plastic canvas can be straightened using an iron, there are several reasons to avoid doing so. Firstly, ironing or pressing can flatten the fibers and ruin the texture of your work, especially on textured or decorative stitches. The heat from the iron can also cause damage to the canvas or cause colours to bleed, leading to unwanted discolouration.
If you do decide to use an iron, it is important to take certain precautions. Use a press cloth or a thin cotton cloth between the iron and the canvas to protect the surface from direct heat and prevent scorch marks. Always start with the lowest heat setting and gradually increase if needed. Avoid getting too close to the canvas to prevent excess moisture buildup, which can lead to warping. Do not saturate the canvas with too much steam or water.
Instead of using an iron, there are alternative methods to straighten needlepoint plastic canvas. One option is to use a blocking board to pin and stretch the canvas back into shape. Start by placing the canvas face down and use tacks or pins to secure it to the board, pulling it taut and straightening it to align with the grid marks on the board. You can also sprinkle the canvas with water or wrap it in a damp towel to help straighten it.
Another method is to use a steam iron without letting it touch the canvas. Cover the needlepoint with a damp cloth and hold the iron slightly above the surface, allowing the steam to soften and relax the threads. You can also try stretching and rolling your canvas to remove creases. Place the canvas face down on a flat surface, mist the back with water, and gently stretch and roll it flat with a rolling pin.
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Frequently asked questions
Blocking is a method used to straighten out slanted or skewed canvases and is an essential finishing step for almost any needlepoint project. It involves dampening and stretching the canvas to pull it back to its original form.
Straightening a warped canvas by pinning it to a blocking board is the simplest, quickest, and most efficient way to stretch a finished piece of needlepoint back into shape. Gently stretch the canvas, pinning every 1/2 inch to 1 inch on the blocking board's grid lines until the canvas has been straightened.
If you've used non-colourfast threads or added embellishments such as beads, you will need to carefully dry-block the needlepoint canvas. Place a wet cloth on top of a hot iron that has been placed on the "dry" setting. Hold the iron about 3 to 4 inches under the wrong side of the canvas and pass it over the entire underside to let the steam rise through the fibres.
Plastic canvas needlepoint is a variation of traditional needlepoint and is used to create decorative 3D designs. You can use almost any kind of needlepoint stitch on plastic canvas. To stretch the canvas, start by threading 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 until it is completely covered.
