Basic Preparations for Canvas Work
by: Jo Kefford
To begin canvas work, you must first prepare
a piece of canvas large enough to receive
the design. ‘Large enough’ means the finished
size of the design plus a margin of at least
5cm along each edge. When you are working
with an uncharted design, finish size equals
the dimensions of the drawing you will follow.
When a design is charted, finished size depends
upon the number of canvas threads called for
by the chart in relation to the threads per
inch in the canvas. If the canvas is too narrow,
lengths can be joined to get the necessary
width. Make a pattern of the prepared canvas
– it will be need when it is time to block
the worked canvas.
Placing the design on canvas – method 1
This design transfer method places both the
shapes and the colors of the design on to
the canvas. The stitches are then worked right
over the painted design. This method is recommended
for use with any uncharted design, especially
one that uses tent stitches only.
Before a design of this type can be transferred,
both the drawing and the finished size of
the canvas must be equal to the finished size
of the item for which the canvas work is being
done.
To transfer the design to the canvas, only
use waterproof coloring pens or paints. If
you are absolutely not sure about any pen,
do not use it; colors that are not waterproof
are likely to run while the worked canvas
is being blocked. Use the painted canvas as
a guide to calculate the amount of thread
that will be needed.
Placing the design on canvas – method 2
This method of transfer puts the lines of
the design, but not its colors, on the canvas.
It is recommended for use with any uncharted
design, particularly one calling for some
ornamental stitches.
Both the canvas and the drawing of the design
as prepared as for method 1; if ornamental
stitches are being used, the name of the stitch
is noted in appropriate areas on the drawing.
To transfer the lines to the canvas, use
markers that are waterproof and neutral in
color. As you work an ornamental stitch area,
modify the size or shape of the area to conform
to the space needs of the selected stitch.
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