Using Plastic Canvas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 10:36 pm
Plastic canvas is a great cross stitching tool to have. It’s very versatile and gives a whole new dimension to your work! If you’re a fan of functional pieces of art, plastic canvas is your new best friend!
You can find plastic canvas the same place you find most other cross stitch supplies. The most common brand is Darice.
Plastic, just like its fabric counterpart, has different counts depending on what sie you want the finished product. I use 10 count, which makes most NES sprites about 2 by 2 inches (5 by 5 cm.). Plastic comes anywhere from 7 to 14 and in many different colors.
Plastic is best used when looking for a sturdy base for a project. The list of items that plastic canvas can be used for is only limited by imagination. It can be a : magnet, keychain, hair clip, jewelry, box, even 3D models!
This walk-through is for making a small sprite out of plastic canvas as a stand-alone item. Once you get the method down, you can try anything!
You can also find all of this information in my video: http://youtu.be/AXMeF0IzMY8
Items Needed
• Plastic canvas, I use 10 count
• Needle, I use Tapestry 18
• Scissors, the smaller the better
• Sharpie or other marker
• Mod-Podge Glue
• Fabri-Tac Glue
• Felt, if applicable
• Finials, ie. Pins, clips, magnets etc.
1) Find a pattern, normally smaller than 50 by 50 pixels. Depending on the count of the canvas, you can go bigger.
2) Trace the sprite onto plastic canvas using the marker.
3) Cut out the sprite. I use an Exacto-Knife; it helps to get into the tighter spots. Depending on the look you’re going for or how comfortable you are with stitching you can leave an extra square of canvas around the design. When you cut out the sprite make sure it looks like this TTTTT, so there’s extra plastic to hold the stitches.
4) Start the outline or main color, normally on most sprites it’s black. You’ll want to wrap the thread around the edges and keep it taunt. Add the other colors, normally from the most used to the least is easiest. Try to use the least amount of thread, restarting can loosen the thread and cause it to unravel.
5) If the sprite was cut without edges, make sure to glue the outside to make sure it won’t unravel. I use Mod-Podge with a foam brush; feel free to go a little heavy as it does dry clear.
6) Finish your sprite as desired.
a. Magnet
i. Glue a magnet to back using Fabric-Tac glue or use a magnet with adhesive backing.
b. Pin
i. Glue a pin to back using Fabric-Tac glue.
c. Hair Clip
i. Glue a Snap Clip or Barrette to back using Fabric-Tac glue.
d. Keychain
i. Glue felt or another backing to the sprite. Figure out the top middle of the sprite and create a small hole. Open the ring to attach the keychain through hole created. Needle-Nosed pliers are very helpful to open and close the ring.
7. Creating a double sided charm
a. Stitch a normal and mirror image of sprite, leaving an extra square around both. Use back-stitching to stitch the sprites together back to back. Finish using the instructions for the keychain, omitting the felt step.
I hope this is a good jumping off point. If you have any questions let me know, I'm always happy to help if I can. Good luck!
You can find plastic canvas the same place you find most other cross stitch supplies. The most common brand is Darice.
Plastic, just like its fabric counterpart, has different counts depending on what sie you want the finished product. I use 10 count, which makes most NES sprites about 2 by 2 inches (5 by 5 cm.). Plastic comes anywhere from 7 to 14 and in many different colors.
Plastic is best used when looking for a sturdy base for a project. The list of items that plastic canvas can be used for is only limited by imagination. It can be a : magnet, keychain, hair clip, jewelry, box, even 3D models!
This walk-through is for making a small sprite out of plastic canvas as a stand-alone item. Once you get the method down, you can try anything!
You can also find all of this information in my video: http://youtu.be/AXMeF0IzMY8
Items Needed
• Plastic canvas, I use 10 count
• Needle, I use Tapestry 18
• Scissors, the smaller the better
• Sharpie or other marker
• Mod-Podge Glue
• Fabri-Tac Glue
• Felt, if applicable
• Finials, ie. Pins, clips, magnets etc.
1) Find a pattern, normally smaller than 50 by 50 pixels. Depending on the count of the canvas, you can go bigger.
2) Trace the sprite onto plastic canvas using the marker.
3) Cut out the sprite. I use an Exacto-Knife; it helps to get into the tighter spots. Depending on the look you’re going for or how comfortable you are with stitching you can leave an extra square of canvas around the design. When you cut out the sprite make sure it looks like this TTTTT, so there’s extra plastic to hold the stitches.
4) Start the outline or main color, normally on most sprites it’s black. You’ll want to wrap the thread around the edges and keep it taunt. Add the other colors, normally from the most used to the least is easiest. Try to use the least amount of thread, restarting can loosen the thread and cause it to unravel.
5) If the sprite was cut without edges, make sure to glue the outside to make sure it won’t unravel. I use Mod-Podge with a foam brush; feel free to go a little heavy as it does dry clear.
6) Finish your sprite as desired.
a. Magnet
i. Glue a magnet to back using Fabric-Tac glue or use a magnet with adhesive backing.
b. Pin
i. Glue a pin to back using Fabric-Tac glue.
c. Hair Clip
i. Glue a Snap Clip or Barrette to back using Fabric-Tac glue.
d. Keychain
i. Glue felt or another backing to the sprite. Figure out the top middle of the sprite and create a small hole. Open the ring to attach the keychain through hole created. Needle-Nosed pliers are very helpful to open and close the ring.
7. Creating a double sided charm
a. Stitch a normal and mirror image of sprite, leaving an extra square around both. Use back-stitching to stitch the sprites together back to back. Finish using the instructions for the keychain, omitting the felt step.
I hope this is a good jumping off point. If you have any questions let me know, I'm always happy to help if I can. Good luck!
Thanks Purcell, these are great tips, I've never tried plastic canvas for the moment but I think I won't wait too long...