Sewing onto canvas..please can I have some advice!

[sweet]

Hi everyone

I was wondering if anyone has sewed onto a canvas before. I have some boxed 'double primed, medium grained, stretched canvas', 100% cotton (if the details help at all..lol!):D

I have some ribbon I would like to stick to the canvas' using some medium, but I thought it would really nice if I could put stitching through also.

Any do's or dont's, I dont want to start stitching away at my canvas' and ruin them!

thankyou

s.x

[peggyprints]

Hello,

I have done a similar thing in the past by putting very small holes into canvas for when I make my clocks (well now I make them out of wood but this was in the early stages!) and the trouble is that once you have that small hole in the canvas, it can fray all around the edge of the hole. I managed to get round this by putting some strong tape on the back - like parcel tape, as long as this doesn't show through, alternatively, you could put a backing on the canvas such as clear plastic. I'd just have a go on another spare canvas maybe a very small one to see what happens, before risking it on your paintings!

Hope this helps

Helen

[sweet]

Thanks Helen for the advice!

I was worried that might happen.

i've been thinking tho, its the stitch effect i'm after, so maybe i could stitch my ribbon and then just stick it on the canvas afterwards? I think it would hav the same effect I'm looking for.

i should have thought of that once first! lol. I'm stil going to give it ago tho and stich onto the canvas. I s'pose I never know unless I try!

s.x

[wendy]

Yes, there's a lot to be said for experimentation. This is something I want to have a go at too, as I have a background in textiles and embroidery. Haven't done it yet tho.

You might want to look at http://www.genevievepfeiffer.com - she is an artist who stitches onto her canvases.

Depending on how intricate you want your stitching to be, and how tough your thumbs (and needles) are, be wary of glueing then sewing, as the glue may make it very difficult to sew through.

Your idea of sewing the ribbon is a good one, but of you are aiming at longevity, be aware that glue will deteriorate much more quickly than stitching. It will probably also affect the "feel" of the ribbon, which might be important to you in such a tactile piece.

Hope this helps, keep us all informed - I'd be interested to know how you finally approach it.:)

[ilovecrafts]

i was thinking of sticking various items to canvas as well as painting them . Is it best to glue first, then paint around ( I think it would be) and what glue is best?

[sweet]

i was thinking of sticking various items to canvas as well as painting them . Is it best to glue first, then paint around ( I think it would be) and what glue is best?

I would paint first. stick after. How annoying will it be if your hand goes wobbly and paints what you stuck down! Its a bit like painting a tree with bare branches and trying to paint the sky in between each branch. I think always start with the back ground and work towards the forground.


***


Thanks to everyone for you responses. I think your right Wendy about how the ribbon might feel with glue, hard and crusty no doubt.:o

Although when i say glue and i dont mean glue glue, i mean one of the acrylic mediums you can get which are sticky, like from the Golden range. I'm gonna go for it 2moro and start stiching, I've decided! I have some ideas floating around in my head and need to get them out!

s.x

[sweet]

LOL...sorry wendy, tried to give you some rep for your helful advice, but it says I need to spread the rep around before giving it to you again..lmao! must have repped you somewhere else! lol


***off to spread the love of repping***

[wendy]

I aim to please, lol.

I don't even know what reps are, must go and hunt the info out.

[ilovecrafts]

I would paint first. stick after. How annoying will it be if your hand goes wobbly and paints what you stuck down! Its a bit like painting a tree with bare branches and trying to paint the sky in between each branch. I think always start with the back ground and work towards the forground.

s.x


i can't believe i wrote that!:o what i meant to sya, was paint,But leave a very small unpainted bit tostick item directly to canvas. didn't know if would stick ok on top of paint! Must have been having a senior moment.
is a hot glue gun the right sort to use? will be wood/plastic to canvas ( or paint)

[wendy]

A hot gun would work, but be careful - if any glue is on show, it will eventually yellow.

I don't know about PVA glue, I've not tried to use this in a long-lasting piece: has anyone else?

I also think that sticky pads may be a possibility. They seem to be used for all sorts of things today and seem relatively strong and permanent.

[naomi126]

PVA is perfect for what you want to do, it do not yelow over time, watered down its eay to paint over with acrylic based paints.