Plastic canvas is a very versatile and durable material that can be used to make a wide variety of crafts and projects. The possibilities are only limited to what kinds of materials you can use with plastic canvas and your imagination. Here is some basic information about plastic canvas crafts that will help you get started making your own crafts.
Plastic canvas is basically what it sounds like only it is not woven fabric. But it does have a grid like a canvas or material used to do cross stitching would. It comes in many different sizes and shapes and also comes a variety of colors. Depending on the pattern you are using and the craft you are making, different sizes can be very useful. Larger sizes are normally used for very simple designs or ones that are made for beginners. Smaller hole sizes and more intricate shapes are used by more advanced crafters.
One of the most important skills to have when using plastic canvas to make crafts is to know how to count holes properly. If you get off by even one hole, it can mess up the entire design and force you to undo everything until you find where you made the mistake. If you can’t locate where your error was, you may even have to start the whole pattern over again.
It is important to be able to identify each stitch and where it will need to go. This is also referred to as counting. A stitch is made over the plastic part that divides the spaces. When you are counting stitches in a pattern, you should begin with the first line of plastic that isn’t the edge so you start in the right place. This will take more time than estimating at the beginning, but will save you a lot of redo time later on.
When you are stitching, plan where you are going to go and how you will get there. Planning ahead can save you a lot of wasted yarn and will also make the back of your plastic canvas craft look much better than if you had just gone from one end to the other with no thought about what the back looked like. Some patterns have recommended order and directions to travel with your yarn to help reduce waste and the cluttered look on the back.
When you are working with a pattern, it is always a good idea to start stitching the actual subject of the pattern first and then to stitch the background after that. This will ensure that the central subject of the pattern stands out more than the background it is found on. When you finish working with a particular color, you should be sure to tie it off so that it is secure and tight. This is done by threading the needle with the remaining yarn under the stitches you just completed in the opposite direction you just came from. This allows the yarn to be secured by the thread just used. Then the yarn that hangs off the edge is trimmed to make it look nice on the back as well.
The first few times that you work with plastic can vas and yarn, you need to patient with yourself. It takes some time to figure out what skills and techniques will work the best for you. Gradually, your own style will emerge and you will be able to stitch the most complicated and challenging crafts out there and will possible be able to make your own patterns and designs.