How to Do the Overcast Stitch on Plastic Canvas

White overcast stitch outlines the item

The overcast stitch is crucial when finishing a plastic canvas piece. Plastic canvas projects are much different than ones done on cloth. The plastic has an unattractive outer edge that needs to be hidden. When using the overcast stitch, you are actually "casting" the yarn over the rough edge of the canvas. Your overcast stitch covers the edges and gives the object a finished look.

Things You'll Need

• Yarn
• Large-eye needle

Instructions

1. Thread the needle with yarn of your color choice. It can be the same color as your piece. A contrasting color, white or black will also work well.

2. 

   Insert the needle into the back of the canvas at point A, as shown in the illustration.

3. Pull the needle up through the canvas, drawing the yarn completely through.

4. Go over the top edge of the plastic canvas and around to the back of the article again.

5. Push the needle into hole B as shown in the illustration and up through, from the back to the front again.

6. Continue inserting the needle from back to front; bring the yarn through each hole or square and up, overcasting around the outer edge of the item. When you come to a corner hole, put three stitches in it. Finish the entire piece.

Tips & Warnings

• It is important to stitch in the same direction around the entire piece.

• If you make a mistake, pull the yarn from the needle. Next, pull the yarn out of the stitch and redo the work. Mistakes show clearly in a plastic canvas project.