Cross Stitching Using Waste Canvas

Have you ever heard about a product called waste canvas and wondered what it was? Waste canvas is a bunch of threads that are held together with a starch based glue. The threads form a grid that looks very similar to aida cloth. Often you will see a blue thread running through the canvas. The blue thread is spaced apart every 10 stitches and helps you to keep count of your stitches. Waste canvas derives its name from the fact that it is only a temporary fabric. It is placed on non-even weave fabric, such as clothing, to help place stitches in the right spot and is removed once the stitching is done.

Waste canvas is very easy to use when cross stitching. First, start by finding the middle of the waste canvas and lightly mark this spot with pencil or a safety pin. Next, place the waste canvas on the fabric you intend to cross stitch and use a running stitch along the edges to keep it in place. Then cross stitch your design, using the waste canvas as a guide similar to even weave fabric. This will allow you to keep your stitches the same size, so they look neat and tidy.

Once you have completely finished cross stitching your design, the waste canvas can be removed. Start by removing the running stitch you did earlier. Then, dab or lightly spray the waste canvas with water. Since the threads in the canvas are held together with starch, the water will dissolve the starch. Once you have dabbed on some water, use tweezers to carefully pull out each thread, going strand by strand.

Helpful Tips:

1. Go slowly and carefully when you are placing your stitches. Make sure that each stitch touches and that there are no gaps between them.
2. Make sure to use only a very small amount of water, because if you use too much it can actually make it more difficult to remove the threads in the waste canvas.
3. Don't force or pull too hard when you are removing the waste canvas, otherwise it can distort your stitches. Instead, try trimming the waste canvas so that it will be easier to work with.

Looking for waste canvas or other fabrics to cross stitch on?  Then check out our selection of Fabrics for Cross Stitching.  In addition to the regular aida cloth, you'll find afghan cloth, bookmarks, towels, bibs and more that are ready for you to stitch on.

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