Getting started on canvas work

How does one get started? I've recently seen a canvas work piece and I'd
like to try it, but have no idea about what to use as the ground.

Is there a special canvas or does one use needlepoint canvas?

Do I mount the canvas like I did when I attempted needlepoint?

Other hints?

Cheryl

Cheryl Isaak wrote:

How does one get started? I've recently seen a canvas work piece and I'd
like to try it, but have no idea about what to use as the ground.

Is there a special canvas or does one use needlepoint canvas?

Use needlepoint canvas. Use what's called Mono canvas, as opposed to
interlock.

Do I mount the canvas like I did when I attempted needlepoint?

In general, yes.

"canvas work" *is* needlepoint. It's called 'canvas work' so that
people don't go "ick. Needlepoint. I did that once, and hated it."
It's not your mother's needlepoint, though. Stitches other than
halfcross/continental/basketweave are used, the canvas isn't always
completely coverd, and there are *lots* of different threads to use.

--
Jenn Ridley :
WIP: Art Stitch Rose Trio, Emperor's Coat, Carousel, Halloween Circle
Most recently Finished: Always be a Wildflower, FrankenFlora, Romance

"Cheryl Isaak"
Is there a special canvas or does one use needlepoint canvas?
There are a couple of kinds of canvas--one is woven with single threads in
each direction, one with double. Both come in various counts. The last
project I did (in a class) used congress cloth (22 count), which was new to
me. So some exploring would be in order.

Do I mount the canvas like I did when I attempted needlepoint?
This is usually a good idea. Stretcher bars of some kind work--I usually
use a scroll frame if the canvas is big enough, but it is personal
preference, and I have worked smaller needlepoint and other canvas things
in hand.
Dawne

How does one get started? I've recently seen a canvas work piece and I'd
like to try it, but have no idea about what to use as the ground.


I love canvas work! So much fun and it goes quickly too! Most charts will
tell you what ground to use. I generally use 18 ct. mono canvas, from
Zweigart. It's stiff stuff, so you'll need stretcher bars; qsnaps won't work.
I'm no expert, but I've done a fair amount, including Susan Portra, Jean
Hilton, Northern Pine and some others. LMK if I can help specifically.

Sara
WIPS: Floral Bellpull (TW)

I've done a couple of pieces in hand and let me warn you it is VERY hard
on the skin. If you have any kind of skin problem (including winter
chapping), wear thin gloves or mount the fabric. It will save you from
getting blood on your stitching.

Dawne Peterson wrote:
This is usually a good idea. Stretcher bars of some kind work--I usually
use a scroll frame if the canvas is big enough, but it is personal
preference, and I have worked smaller needlepoint and other canvas things
in hand.

--
Brenda

From: Jenn Ridley

..... Use needlepoint canvas. Use what's called Mono canvas, as opposed to
interlock. ........

Is Penelope Canvas the same as interlock? It's been ages since I have
purchased NP fabric and way back then the choices were mono and Penelope.
Years ago, in my Fabric Design class, you could do some form of original design
weaving or needlework in lieu of taking a final. I did a stitch sampler pillow
top on Penelope so that I could do a combination of what was **then** called
petite point (anything using 20+ stitches per inch) and "standard" needlepoint
(12 to 18 stitches per inch). Ciao Meow ^;;^
..


PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ Queen of Kitties
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their
WHISKERS!!
Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs!
Online Photos at http://community.webshots.com/user/tiamary

They are different. Mono is one thread across and one thread down and
penelope is 2 threads each way.

If you have 12 to the inch mono you can only have 12 stitches in each
direction.

If you have 12 to the inch penelope you could stitch 24 in each direction.

I'm think my explanation is about as clear as mud but I suppose you'll
either remember or you'll look it up.

Lucille


"Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply " wrote in
message ...
From: Jenn Ridley

..... Use needlepoint canvas. Use what's called Mono canvas, as opposed
to
interlock. ........

Is Penelope Canvas the same as interlock? It's been ages since I have
purchased NP fabric and way back then the choices were mono and Penelope.
Years ago, in my Fabric Design class, you could do some form of original
design
weaving or needlework in lieu of taking a final. I did a stitch sampler
pillow
top on Penelope so that I could do a combination of what was **then**
called
petite point (anything using 20+ stitches per inch) and "standard"
needlepoint
(12 to 18 stitches per inch). Ciao Meow ^;;^
.


PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ Queen of Kitties
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about
their
WHISKERS!!
Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs!
Online Photos at http://community.webshots.com/user/tiamary

"Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply " wrote in
message ...
From: Jenn Ridley

..... Use needlepoint canvas. Use what's called Mono canvas, as opposed
to
interlock. ........

Is Penelope Canvas the same as interlock? It's been ages since I have
purchased NP fabric and way back then the choices were mono and Penelope.
Years ago, in my Fabric Design class, you could do some form of original
design
weaving or needlework in lieu of taking a final. I did a stitch sampler
pillow
top on Penelope so that I could do a combination of what was **then**
called
petite point (anything using 20+ stitches per inch) and "standard"
needlepoint
(12 to 18 stitches per inch). Ciao Meow ^;;^

Good hearing from you, TM. How is the SIL doing with rehab? I bet you are
keeping him busy.

Happy New Year

Gillian

Cheryl Isaak wrote:
How does one get started? I've recently seen a canvas work piece and I'd
like to try it, but have no idea about what to use as the ground.

Is there a special canvas or does one use needlepoint canvas?

Usually the pattern will specify what kind of canvas to use (they're all
essentially needlepoint canvas). I have done patterns on Mono and on
Congress Cloth. I also have one kitted up to do on Cordovan.

Do I mount the canvas like I did when I attempted needlepoint?

Yep, stretcher bars are a good thing. The pattern usually tells you
what size bars to get, as well, but if not, the shop where you get your
canvas should be able to help. I usually buy stretchers to accomodate
whatever cut of canvas is called for.

Other hints?

I find a floor stand very helpful for canvas work if you have one. My
shop always tapes the edges of the canvas when I buy it, but if yours
isn't taped, you should do that. It keeps the threads from snagging on
the exposed edges. IME canvas work goes much more quickly than other
kinds of needlework and the threads are more interesting.

Elizabeth
--
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~living well is the best revenge~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The most important thing one woman can do for another is to illuminate
and expand her sense of actual possibilities. --Adrienne Rich
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Jenn Ridley wrote:
Use needlepoint canvas. Use what's called Mono canvas, as opposed to
interlock.

Or Penelope as it is also known by.

"canvas work" *is* needlepoint. It's called 'canvas work' so that
people don't go "ick. Needlepoint. I did that once, and hated it."

I got the biggest kick out of that remark. It's also going by the term
canvas embroidery these days. Anything to shed the negative image. And
my vote because needlepoint, an American term, actually relates to
needlelace anyway. :-)

Dianne






It's not your mother's needlepoint, though. Stitches other than
halfcross/continental/basketweave are used, the canvas isn't always
completely coverd, and there are *lots* of different threads to use.

--
Jenn Ridley :
WIP: Art Stitch Rose Trio, Emperor's Coat, Carousel, Halloween Circle
Most recently Finished: Always be a Wildflower, FrankenFlora, Romance

--
"The Journal of Needlework" - The E-zine for All Needleworkers
http://journal.heritageshoppe.com