Plastic canvas is a
craft
A craft or trade is a pastime or an occupation that requires particular skills and knowledge of skilled work. In a historical sense, particularly the Middle Ages and earlier, the term is usually applied to people occupied in small scale pro ...
material of lightweight
plastic
Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that use polymers as a main ingredient. Their plasticity makes it possible for plastics to be moulded, extruded or pressed into solid objects of various shapes. This adaptab ...
with regularly spaced holes in imitation of
embroidery
Embroidery is the craft of decorating fabric or other materials using a needle to apply thread or yarn. Embroidery may also incorporate other materials such as pearls, beads, quills, and sequins. In modern days, embroidery is usually seen ...
canvas. It is also commonly known as ''vinyl weave''.
Plastic canvas is typically used as a foundation for
needlepoint
Needlepoint is a type of canvas work, a form of embroidery in which yarn is stitched through a stiff open weave canvas. Traditionally needlepoint designs completely cover the canvas. Although needlepoint may be worked in a variety of stitches, m ...
or other
canvas work
Canvas is an extremely durable plain-woven fabric used for making sails, tents, marquees, backpacks, shelters, as a support for oil painting and for other items for which sturdiness is required, as well as in such fashion objects as handba ...
embroidery, usually in acrylic or wool
knit
Knitting is a method by which yarn is manipulated to create a textile, or fabric. It is used to create many types of garments. Knitting may be done by hand or by machine.
Knitting creates stitches: loops of yarn in a row, either flat or i ...
ting
yarn
Yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibres, used in sewing, crocheting, knitting, weaving, embroidery, ropemaking, and the production of textiles. Thread is a type of yarn intended for sewing by hand or machine. Modern manu ...
. Due to its rigidity, it is useful for creating 3-dimensional objects such as tissue box covers, small jewelry boxes, handbags, and other decorative objects.
Plastic canvas is manufactured in many colors and with various size holes for different thicknesses of yarn. As with
textile
Textile is an umbrella term that includes various fiber-based materials, including fibers, yarns, filaments, threads, different fabric types, etc. At first, the word "textiles" only referred to woven fabrics. However, weaving is not the ...
canvas, these are described in ''count'' – that is, 10-count plastic canvas has 10 holes per linear inch. Typical sizes are 5-, 7-, 10-, and 14 count. It is most readily available in
A4 size sheets but pre-made shapes such as circles, triangles as well as novelty shapes (e.g. dinosaur, bird, cross) are also available.
Plastic canvas is also employed in teaching needlepoint and
cross stitch
Cross-stitch is a form of sewing and a popular form of counted-thread embroidery in which X-shaped stitches in a tiled, raster graphics, raster-like pattern are used to form a picture. The stitcher counts the threads on a piece of even-weave, ev ...
to children, since its riged structure does not require the use of a
hoop or frame.
Other uses
Plastic canvas is also used by some for making animal mascot heads as a frame to build faux fur upon to make the head of the mascot, some people stick the plastic canvas together with glue but this is not the only method of construction or sticking together a frame of a mascot head.
External links
Learn the three types of tent stitch for plastic canvas
{{embroidery
Embroidery equipment