Don’t hate me because I’m Plastic Canvas.
Plastic canvas is a lightweight, rigid version of needlepoint canvas. And it’s likely that you just shuddered a little, reading that last sentence, as you envisioned a grannylike tissue-box cover.
But bear with me for a minute! Plastic canvas has hidden superpowers, and it deserves some creative exploration by modern crafty minds.
The first thing I want to show you is this: not all plastic canvas is created equal. It’s made in three sizes: 7-count, 10-count, and 14-count. The count refers to the number of squares in an inch. And as you can see, this makes a huge difference in the appearance of the finished product. The larger squares can be stitched with worsted weight yarn or crewel wool, and result in a fuzzier, more homespun appearance.
10-count or 14-count canvas, on the other hand, can even be stitched with perle cotton embroidery floss, and yields a much finer-looking result.
You can use plastic canvas to construct just about any 3D shape, and that makes it useful for so much more than hiding tissue boxes. (There’s a great tutorial for cutting out plastic canvas shapes here.)
To get your creative juices flowing, for example, consider business card holders . . . and iPod cases . . . and glasses cases. One of the great things about using plastic canvas to make cases for your valuables is: the canvas, covered with yarn stitching, creates a nice shield that absorbs impact. I’ve had my iPod sheathed in a plastic canvas sleeve for two years, and it still looks brand-new.
You may have seen plastic canvas employed to make gift or jewelry boxes as well. And while the stuff does make great boxes, I’m more excited about its potential for making organizers of all kinds. You can construct boxes to hold your spools of yarn, or a multi-chambered pencil holder to organize your pens and paintbrushes. You can build your own set of stackable in-boxes. You can even construct a cube-shaped unit with a pull-out drawer, a la IKEA, to hold your ribbons and trims.
The greatest part of all these fabrications is, of course, that they’ll be covered with stitching. Now, many of us envision needlepoint as those tiny, slanted stitches. This is known as the Continental Stitch, and it’s only the tip of the needlepoint iceberg. There are dozens of interesting needlepoint stitches to try — and many of them work up much faster then Continental. In fact, you can explore more of these here and here.
…Not to mention, you can cover any plastic canvas surface with Continental stitch, and then embroider a design on the top of that. You can also applique fabric to plastic canvas. And you can stitch with your craziest novelty yarns to create outlandish textures. There’s way more to your needlepoint life than Continental Stitch.
I think there’s also jewelry potential in plastic canvas. A nice square, covered in interesting stitching, backed with felt, would make a great pendant or pin. Join a bunch of them together into a bracelet. (Incidentally, a sheet of plastic canvas makes a dandy earring-organizer.)
Plastic canvas is also a natural for book and journal covers. You can make a snazzy cover for your drugstore spiral notebook in no time, or you can construct one for your day-planner.
And then there’s toy-making! Imagine constructing a finger-puppet theater. Or a rocket-ship. Or a train. Or a nice, fenced corral for toy horses. Plastic canvas is so kid-friendly — the stitching is done with big, blunt needles — so you can easily involve kids in the stitching and assembly.
Seriously! Go get some plastic canvas, and explore the possibilities. Nobody will laugh at you, I promise.
March 6th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Great post! This definitely provided me with a new view of plastic canvas. My sister and I were just talking (with a lot of laughs) about the plastic canvas magnets we used to make for the fridge – cut out a shape and embroider it before gluing a magnet to the back. Thanks for the inspiration for a new generation of plastic canvas crafts!
March 6th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
There is no need to be apologetic-
PLASTIC CANVAS ROCKS!
Thanks for the great article.
March 6th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
I love plastic canvas! And it’s so cool to see what you do with it, too. Love the iPod case!
March 6th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
I use it as a stiffener in the bottom of bags. It’s better than cardboard since it’s washable. . .
March 6th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Plastic canvas is cool stuff, and I don’t think most crafters realize it’s structural potential. Good article.
Somewhat ironic that you had to take an “it’s not your granny’s” approach, however.
March 7th, 2007 at 1:00 am
Now that is sweet.
March 7th, 2007 at 1:43 am
I bought a plastic canvas for my 4 y.o. daughter to “sew” yarn while I do my crafts but I think she’ll have to share it with me now.
Thanks for the info!!
March 7th, 2007 at 1:57 am
Yes! I have been making a pac-man design, plastic canvas tote bag for ages. Well, I started it a looong time ago. I love working with it; it’s much more relaxing sometimes than cross-stitch or embroidery but can have the same sophistication.
March 7th, 2007 at 2:47 am
Great! Now I’m going to have to dig out my PC supplies. I really need some storage containers and now I’ve been empowered to make my own. Great article!
March 7th, 2007 at 2:49 am
i never thought i’d see something pro plastic canvas. made me chuckle.
March 7th, 2007 at 3:43 am
My mother in law once made a flower vase for silk flowers out of plastic canvas — now I am sorry I was not more appreciative!
I just saw a stack of PC sheets at my local second hand store — maybe no one else has realized the potential and I can get back there and buy them! I already have lots of yarns and perl cottons, but I am intriqued by the idea of appliquing some crazy quilt patterns/designs on the PC and making a box or two…
March 7th, 2007 at 5:09 am
Oh my gosh! I don’t know how you did it, but I am suddenly overcome by this huge urge to go get some plastic canvas… now. I wonder if I can sneak off to a craft store on my lunch break?
Seriously, I am so excited about the iPod cover idea. Gosh, and organization boxes… I love organizing.
March 7th, 2007 at 5:41 am
No, no, no! Put that plastic canvas back! Too Iola from Mama’s Family.
March 7th, 2007 at 8:05 am
I love PC! I use it to make weather-resistant pillbox-style hats to wear to Renaissance Festivals. It handles getting wet much better than buckram and can support lots of beads and embroidery without collapsing.
I’m definitely going to start making some boxes to help me get organized!
March 9th, 2007 at 7:49 am
what stitches (other than continental!) do people like for pc? i’m inspired to make big storage bins but hate the idea of a fussy stitch over such a large surface. any suggestions?
amazingly great post–i was just laughing about pc at the craft store the other day–how very very wrong i was!
March 9th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
[...] It’s a busy week, so I’m delinquent on posting. But I was thrilled to have a little article about plastic canvas posted over at Whipup this week, and more thrilled by the response it got. [...]
September 5th, 2007 at 6:43 am
I can’t believe I stumbled onto this article while looking for a pattern for my MP 3 player that is the same size and looks just like an iPod. It is a philips GoGear! Thanks for the inspiration. I was going to make something out of crochet but now am inpired to use my PC that is packed away instead! Thanks