Here I will show you the most basic fabric covered canvas.
What you will need:
- A canvas (cheap ones work just the same as fancy pricey ones. Why spend heaps on a fancy canvas when you are covering it?)
- Enough fabric to cover the entire front, sides and come around the back at least an inch
- Staple gun
- Scissors (to cut down fabric if you need to)
- Some ribbon or rope (if you want to hang it)
- [optional] Decorative bits and pieces... try some wooden letters, ribbon or fabric appliques.
The canvas I have used is 20cm x 30cm - my fabric is 30cm x 40cm. (I prefer the thin box canvases)
To begin - make sure you iron your fabric first! Iron first, then cut. This helps prevent warping and ensures that you have enough to make it around the edges.
The fabric I have use for this tutorial is Michael Miller Zoology - Lava Lamp. Also displayed with Michael Miller Zoology Lagoon (colour: Sea) in final photo.
So, first thing is first (after ironing) - place your fabric right side down on your surface. Place your canvas on top of it in the middle, right side down. (Just eyeball it. As long as you have enough to bring around and staple down it's fine - You may prefer a certain part of your pattern, so adjust accordingly).
Pull the top side of your fabric up and over the canvas edge towards you, and staple in place. (I staple 3 times). Turn and repeat, pulling the fabric firm (don't overpull, it will warp your fabric design).
Turn and repeat with the 2 short ends (Just one staple in the middle on each end). Again, pull firm but don't warp it.
Now is the slightly trickier part. Doing the corners... I like to do mine kind of like hospital corners on your bedsheets. I fold mine 3 times and staple twice in each corner.
Repeat with all 4 corners, attach some ribbon or string to hang them with, and you are done! Your very own, handmade awesome fabric covered canvases ready to decorate and bring some funky colours to your home.
[Optional] Glue on some wooden letters or shapes or attach some ribbon across the front.
Would love to see what you create! Email me your pics at the.craft.files@gmail.com
