Maya Ellison
Teach Yourself Plastic Canvas is a book by Leisure Arts Inc. that provides step-by-step instructions for beginners to learn the basics of plastic canvas. The book covers everything from choosing the right type of canvas and yarn to learning a variety of stitches and completing projects. While some customers found the book easy to follow and suitable for beginners, others felt that it lacked detailed written instructions. The book is available for purchase on Amazon and other online retailers, but it may be out of stock at times.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Book Title | Teach Yourself Plastic Canvas |
| Author | Leisure Arts Inc. |
| Book Type | Beginner's Book |
| Format | Paperback |
| Content | Step-by-step instructions with diagrams and illustrations |
| Topics Covered | Choosing the right canvas and yarn, different types of stitches, completing a project |
| Pros | Clear and easy to understand, suitable for beginners, good ideas and illustrations |
| Cons | Thin book with few pages and little written instruction |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right type of canvas
Canvas is a versatile fabric that has been used for centuries, offering a range of options to meet different needs. It can be categorized according to material into natural fibres and synthetic fibres. Here are some tips on choosing the right type of canvas for your plastic canvas project:
Cotton Canvas
Cotton canvas is the most common and affordable option, offering a good balance of absorbency, texture, and versatility. It is suitable for acrylic and oil paints and can be used for various craft projects, such as sewing aprons, oven mitts, and fabric baskets. Cotton canvas is also used in the fashion industry to create garments like jackets, pants, skirts, and dresses, providing structure and durability.
Linen Canvas
Linen canvas, made from flax fibres, is considered a premium choice for artists due to its strength, durability, and smooth surface. It tends to be more expensive than cotton canvas but is ideal for large-scale artworks and pieces that require superior quality. Linen canvas is also known for its superior absorption, making it suitable for oil paintings and heirloom pieces.
Synthetic Canvas (Polyester Canvas)
Synthetic canvas, also known as polyester canvas, is a budget-friendly option that offers good durability and water resistance. It is suitable for acrylic paintings, outdoor applications such as tents and awnings, printed canvas, and banners.
Synthetic Blend Canvas (Poly-Cotton Canvas)
Synthetic blend canvas combines the benefits of affordability, durability, and some water resistance. The texture and ratio of cotton to polyester can vary, making it suitable for acrylic paintings, outdoor use with treatment, and mixed-media artwork. Synthetic blend canvas is often chosen for craft projects like tote bags, pouches, and other fabric-based DIY items.
Mono/Single Canvas
Mono/single canvas is a needlepoint canvas with a mesh of single vertical and horizontal threads. This type of canvas is perfect for projects that will be subjected to uneven pressure, such as pillows and chair cushions. However, it tends to distort while being stitched, so projects using mono/single canvas are typically worked in a frame.
Mono Interlock Canvas
Mono interlock canvas is another type of needlepoint canvas with a more stable structure. It has a single horizontal thread wrapped by two vertical threads, 'locking' the mesh at intersections. This locked mesh prevents distortion and allows stitches to stay in place.
When choosing the right canvas for your plastic canvas project, consider the specific requirements of your project, such as durability, flexibility, absorbency, and budget. Additionally, ensure that you select the correct size and type of plastic canvas to achieve the desired results.
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Selecting the right yarn
Plastic canvas stitching is a fun, easy, and inexpensive craft to get into. There are no rules on the 'right' yarn for plastic canvas, but there are a few factors to consider when selecting your yarn. Firstly, the type of canvas you are using will determine the yarn you choose. Plastic canvas comes in 4 sizes: 5, 7, 10, and 14 holes to the inch. The standard clear variety is used in most patterns, but it also comes in a variety of colours. It is important to check the materials list at the top of any pattern to see what size and type of canvas it calls for.
The best type of yarn to use is regular worsted-weight yarn. It is economical, comes in a variety of colours, and can be bought almost anywhere. A single strand of 4-ply knitting worsted-weight acrylic yarn works well on 7-mesh plastic canvas, with double strands better for Bargello and other straight stitches. However, this type of yarn is most often found in 3- to 3 1/2-ounce skeins, which can be expensive if you only need small amounts of certain colours. If you are working on a 10-mesh canvas, sports-weight knitting yarn or two plies of Persian can be used for slanting stitches, with three or four plies of Persian for Bargello. Perle cotton or embroidery floss are good choices if you want to achieve an open, airy look.
If you are using a pattern with several stitches in the same hole, or where the yarn criss-crosses several times, your best choice may be a finer yarn or fewer plies of Persian yarn. Straight vertical or horizontal stitches, on the other hand, may require heavier yarns, double strands of medium-weight yarn, or extra plies of Persian. There are also nylon, herculon, or polyester yarns marketed in small skeins, which tend to have a slight sheen and a hard surface that is dirt-resistant and less likely to pill.
Remember, there are no limits to your choice of yarns. Raffia, jute, ribbon, metallics, or other materials can make your creation unique. Let your imagination guide you and have fun with it!
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Learning a variety of stitches
Plastic canvas is a great foundation for other embroidery patterns like needlepoint and cross-stitch. It is also a good option for beginners as the larger grid and thicker yarn make it easier to see what you are doing.
There are several basic stitches that are good to know when starting out with plastic canvas. The first is the backstitch, which 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 can be any length and can go in any direction.
Another basic stitch is the continental stitch, which is used to create horizontal rows of angled stitches. This stitch looks like half a cross stitch and is the foundation for many other stitches. To do this stitch, bring your yarn up through the bottom left corner and insert the needle into the box diagonal to the upper right. Bring the yarn back through the box below, and insert it into the next upper-right-hand box. Continue to the end of the row.
The long stitch is similar to the continental stitch but spans three boxes instead of two. You can decide if you want your long stitch to be slanted or straight up and down. By combining short and long stitches, you can create the mosaic stitch.
The scotch stitch is another stitch that is useful to know. It is a series of angled stitches that form a square and is used to cover large areas of plastic canvas.
Finally, there are two basic stitches that can be used to finish the edges of your plastic canvas: the lark's head knot and the overcast stitch. The lark's head knot creates a fringe edge, while the overcast stitch creates a clean edge.
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Cutting canvas shapes
Cutting plastic canvas shapes is easy and can be done in a few simple steps. Firstly, you will need a pair of sharp scissors. Unlike needlepoint canvas, plastic canvas has rigid vertical and horizontal bars that hold their shape when cut, so sharp scissors are required to accurately cut the canvas.
To begin, transfer the needlepoint pattern by counting the number of squares in the design chart and matching them to the holes in the plastic canvas. Draw an outline on the canvas as you count, marking each hole until the canvas outline looks like the design chart. Transfer any interior details that are needed for stitch definition.
Next, cut out the plastic canvas outline with your sharp scissors to make a master pattern. To get a neat finished edge, cut all corners diagonally and trim as close as possible to the canvas bars without tearing. If you do accidentally tear the plastic canvas while cutting, simply glue the damaged bars with a hot glue gun.
Now, place the master pattern on top of additional plastic canvas sheets to make pattern repeats. 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 when working over marked lines to keep them from showing through the stitches.
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Completing a project
Plastic canvas is a fun and easy craft to learn, and with the right instructions, you can quickly go from beginner to expert. The "Teach Yourself Plastic Canvas" book provides clear and detailed diagrams and text that make it easy to follow along and complete a project. The book offers step-by-step instructions that will guide you through the entire process, from choosing the right materials to creating a variety of stitches.
One of the key aspects of completing a project is selecting the appropriate type of canvas and yarn. The book provides guidance on this, ensuring that you have the right foundation for your work. It also includes illustrations that showcase the different stitchings required for various patterns, allowing you to create unique designs. Whether you're a novice or an expert, the book's instructions and ideas will help you bring your creations to life.
While the book does not show many final product images, it provides clear instructions and illustrations that allow you to create a range of items. You can experiment with different colours and stitch patterns to make gifts, decorations, and even Christmas decor. The book also includes lessons on cutting canvas shapes and choosing yarn weights and needle sizes, giving you the freedom to personalise your projects.
As you work through the book, you'll gain the skills and confidence to complete your projects successfully. The easy-to-understand instructions and well-detailed diagrams will empower you to explore your creativity and possibly even create your own patterns. Whether you're crafting alone or with your family, "Teach Yourself Plastic Canvas" provides the perfect foundation for anyone interested in learning this enjoyable craft.
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