How to Stitch Plastic Canvas

Many people don't know how to do this enjoyable and frequently addictive craft. It isn't hard though; plastic canvas needlepoint is just a variation of regular needlepoint but can be much more fun and useful because you can make so many decorative and 3D things from it that would not be possible to create with just cloth. The projects that can be made are only limited by your imagination.

This guide is meant to explain the basics to you and to encourage those of you who would like to try it out to start a new hobby that you will love for a lifetime. Your friends and family will also enjoy all the beautiful handcrafted things you can give them as gifts - remember that handmade is heart-given. So, before you commence your first plastic canvas project, learn these basics to ensure that your experience is successful.

Steps

1- Assemble the materials.

2- Commence without making a knot. To keep a project neat on the wrong side, be aware that no knots are used. When starting a row, a small end of the yarn or tail is left on the backside when you pull the yarn through to the front. The first few stitches should be made over that tail, on the wrong side to lock the yarn so that it won't come undone.

3- Familiarize yourself with the required stitches:
* Continental Stitch: This is a basic stitch that is used on most patterns. Start the stitch by leaving about a 1 inch / 2.5 cm tail of yarn on the backside and bring your needle up through the hole marked black dot. Go back down to the backside at the red dot. All stitches are done in a left to right manner. 







* Slanted Gobelin Stitch: This stitch really is just a variation of the regular continental stitch but it can be done over 2 or more threads of the canvas at a time. The first stitch of the row is just a continental stitch as before. The second stitch comes up at the second black dot and down at the second red dot over the first one. Continue across to the left side, flip and start again as before. 

 

* Gobelin Stitch: Make the stitches up from the back at the black dot and down through the red dot, working over the little tail of yarn as before to keep the stitches from coming undone.
The pattern you are going to do will tell you if you should use 1 strand of yarn or 2 . Usually the stitches worked over 2 or more threads will require 2 strands of yarn to cover the grid better.








*Overcast Stitch: This is also referred to as "Whipstitch". This stitch is used to finish off the unstitched edge of a project. When stitching corners, it is a good idea to make at leas
t 3 stitches instead of the 2 stitches shown. The whipstitch is used when you are joining 2 pieces of a pattern together, such as the sides of a tissue box. Use extra stitches if necessary on the corners or sides if they are required to cover the edge of the grid neatly without showing through. Just put the 2 pieces back to back and overcast where they should be joined.






4- Learn other stitches as you advance. There are many other stitches and variations of stitches but working with this form of needlepoint is a learning experience and you will learn more tricks of the trade and ways of doing things after you are used to using the basic stitches.


5- End off the end of a row when you are finished. Turn over to the backside of your canvas and run the needle under 4 or 5 stitches. Then cut the yarn. You will also use this way to start again if you run out of yarn in the middle of a row. A good way is to use 3 feet long pieces of yarn when stitching, so that you don't have too many stops and starts. Just run the yarn under a few stitches on the backside and finish stitching across.


Visit Leisure Arts-Teach Me Plastic Canvas

Tips

* The best type of yarn to use is regular worsted weight yarn, for the larger mesh sizes of plastic canvas.. It's economical, comes in a variety of colors, and can be bought almost anywhere. There is no need to use the type of yarn sold in pre-packaged little skeins just for plastic canvas; this is an unnecessarily expensive way to purchase it. One type that works well is Red Heart yarns (USA) and it can be purchased at many online stores or at your neighborhood variety store. Also check garage sales for bargains; it is possible to get entire bags of yarn very cheaply this way.

 

* Check the materials list at the top of any pattern to see what size canvas the pattern call for. 7 count plastic canvas is a good size for a beginner.

 

* On any pattern you work, you will find the plastic canvas grid is either counted out by using the "terms lines", or "threads", or by "holes or squares". Some prefer to count the holes of the plastic canvas because it's easier.

 

* 14 mesh plastic canvas works with a wider variety of threads, including most threads which are suitable for stitching on 18 mesh needlepoint canvas. The most economical threads for this size of canvas are embroidery floss (use four of the six strands) or #5 pearl cotton.

 

* The canvas also comes in a stiff variety or a soft type. Again, either type works, unless the pattern requires them.

 

* Plastic canvas sheets come in different types. The standard clear variety is used on most patterns.

 

* Washing of plastic canvas stitched items:

       - If a project gets soiled it can be washed by soaking it in a sink with warm water and a little dish soap. This should only be done if the threads used to make the item are washable and colorfast. Items made with many knitting yarns can be washed. Items made with embroidery threads should be tested for fastness on the back before cleaning.

 

       - Do not use hot water and do not put it in the washing machine or dryer. Just let it soak in the sink for a little while, rinse and let sit in bath tub to drain and dry over night.

 

      - Items like a tote bag that will get a lot of handling can be sprayed with Scotchgard to protect it from soiling if desired.

 

     - Do not dry clean or use cleaning solvents, it could melt the plastic grid. If an item gets dusty just use your vacuum to remove the dust.

 

* Plastic canvas also comes in a variety of colors. Don't use a colored canvas unless the pattern calls for it, because the yarn might not cover it all and the grid may show through.

 

* Plastic canvas comes in 4 sizes:

     - 5 holes to the inch.

     - 7 holes to the inch.

     - 10 holes to the inch; and

     - 14 holes to the inch.

 

Things You'll Need:

  * A few sheets of 7 count plastic canvas.

  * Buy a couple of yarn needles suitable for this type of needlepoint.

* Worsted weight yarn

* Pair of embroidery scissors 

 

 

source http://www.wikihow.com/Stitch-Plastic-Canvas