Plastic canvas is a material that can be used for many different arts and crafts around the house. There are many uses for it and it can be combined with yarn to make beautiful patterns and designs. Coasters are one of the most popular crafts that can be made with plastic canvas and here is some more information on how to make them yourself.
Coasters serve a very important function in the house. While they are important for protecting wood tables from condensation from cold drinks in glasses, they are also great for coordinating decor designs and also make great accessories in the home. When you decide to make coasters with plastic canvas there are some things that you need to know beforehand and some techniques that you should practice. First of all, you need to understand the basic stitches used for needlework with plastic canvas crafts. The tent stitch is the most commonly used stitch and it is used for filling in parts of the pattern and design. This design is used to cover only one space and will take more yarn that some other stitches, but it can also make a very beautiful pattern inside the pattern. The overcast stitch is also a very important one to know how to do. This is used to cover the edge of the plastic canvas to give it a finished look. The overcast stitch is done by bringing the yarn and needle up through one hole and then down over the edge and around and back up through the next hole. This is normally done from the left to right but no matter what direction you choose to go in, it should be the same for the whole project so that it looks consistent.
For the first coaster design you will need one or two sheets of 7 mesh count plastic canvas. The mesh count refers to the number of holes there are in one inch of canvas. Depending on how many coasters you plan on making you may need more canvas. Each coaster will be about 4 inches by 4 inches, which is a good size for a coaster. Many patterns are available online or in kits or books from craft stores. This particular pattern is made up of red flowers with multiple layers of petals. Of course the colors that are used can be any color that you can choose. Some people may choose to use multiple colors or different colors for each coaster. The edges of the petals can also be a darker color to add more texture and variety to the design. The leaves in the background should be some color of green or even more than one green. The background should have at least a few spaces between the edge of the petals and the edge of the canvas.
Geometric designs can also be very attractive for coasters. Yarn can be found in so many colors that almost any design theme or taste can be matched in the pattern. The back of the design is very important in plastic canvas designs but especially with coasters because they will be holding drinks and protecting the table. For this reason, it is essential that they be stable. When you begin stitching, start by laying the tail of the yarn in the same direction you will be making the first stitches. The first stitches should hold the tail of the yarn securely in place for each color. When you have finished with a color, then thread the needle in the back under the last few stitches you did to secure them in place. Some people also choose to put cork backing on the coaster to make it stay on the table better.