How to Prepare Needlepoint Canvas for Stitching

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By Althea DeBrule
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Needlepoint Canvas

To ensure a productive needlepoint experience, it is absolutely critical to prepare the canvas for stitching. Not doing the groundwork results in shoddy stitching and a distorted piece once the stitching has been completed. Here are the steps you should take to get your canvas ready for stitching.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Scissors to trim the canvas
Masking tape to keep threads from unraveling
Pencil and heavy paper for finishing pattern
Thumb tacks to secure canvas to stretcher bars

Step 1

Trim the canvas as needed by carefully cutting it between threads and in a straight line. This is especially helpful when stitching square or rectangular needlepoint projects because the intersecting canvas meshes for squares that are uniform in size.
Step 2

Use masking tape on all sides or sew a zig-zag stitch around the edges to keep it neat and straight. The more you handle needlepoint canvas, the more it will unravel, so protect your canvas before making the first stitch.
Step 3

Using a light pencil and thick paper or poster board, trace around the edges of your canvas outline to make a pattern. This will be used to block your canvas during the finishing process. If the needlepoint project has been hand-painted, then trace about the shape of the design.
Step 4

Attach the canvas to wooden stretcher bars using brass tacks, or hand-sew it to the end pieces of a scroll frame. Gently stretch canvas for an even tight fit on the stretcher bars or when using a scroll frame, make sure to use a running stitch.
Step 5

Mark the top of your project to ensure that your stitches are being made in the same direction. This will be a life-saver when you stop working on a project and then pick it up again several weeks or months later.
Step 6

Keep your canvas clean, crisp and firm while stitching. If you are using a scroll frame limit the amount of folding or creasing that is made to the canvas.
Step 7

Most prepared designs have 2 to 3 inches of blank canvas around the edges. If you are designing your own needlepoint, remember to leave this amount free to avoid distortion.
Step 8

Re-stretch the canvas as needed during stitching in order to keep the design taut.