Plastic canvas is a creative interpretation of needlepoint and can be used by many people of all ages. Crafts of all varieties can be made from plastic canvas and there are many different ways to get started. If you are looking for a basic guide on how to make plastic canvas crafts then you are looking in the right place.
Plastic canvas is a very versatile material and can be used for many different types of crafts. Some of the most complicated include dioramas and complicated needlework presentations and simple designs can include coasters and floor mats. No matter what your age, you can find something fun and interesting to do with plastic canvas. Before you begin your crafts, you are going to need some basic supplies. The most obvious need is plastic canvas. It comes in many different sizes, shapes and colors. There is also variation in the amount and spacing of holes in the canvas to determine how complicated of a design you can make. There are normally 4 mesh counts available; 5,7,10 and 12. The mesh count refers to the number of holes there are in one inch and the higher the mesh count, the more detail possible. Plastic canvas is great for many crafts because it is much stiffer than fabric or other materials and is easier to work with than wood or very hard plastics.
In addition to plastic canvas, you will also need yarn and needles. The yarn can come in a wide variety of colors and textures and should complement the design you are making. Many premade kits come with all the yarn in the colors you will need to successfully make the whole pattern. You will also need needles large enough to hold the yarn you will be using and small enough to fit through the holes of the canvas without tearing it.
After you have all of your supplies gathered, you need a plan and a pattern. Many consider this part of the supplies needed too, because it is so essential to the success of the craft. Counting is one of the most basic and most important skills for plastic canvas craft making. You should follow your pattern from the edge and each ‘bar’ counts as a row (because this is where they yarn will actually be visible and cover the plastic. This is considered one space or one stitch. If you buy a premade pattern, it may specify a different way of counting, so be sure it is clear to you before you start stitching or waste time in the wrong place. After you have counted the spaces (and double checked) then cut out the pattern and start your project. Cut as close to the lines as possible without actually cutting them as it could significantly weaken the structure of the craft if done improperly.
Stitching is also a very important skill when making plastic canvas crafts. You don’t tie your yarn in a knot with plastic canvas crafts but rather stitch over the tail as you make the body of the work. It is essential to keep consistent tension on the yarn during the whole project so that the look and feel is consistent over the whole project. You should also move in a consistent direction with the yarn so that they pattern is done in a logical way. This can greatly influence the finished product and they overall look. Another helpful tip with stitching is to start with the innermost parts of the design so that they stand out more from the pattern than the edges or background. The more complicated the design, the more thought should be put into executing it correctly.
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