Cross Stitching With Waste Canvas

Ever see a t-shirt, quilt or even a baby's bid with afabric like Aida cloth. Make sure that the points of
cute design cross stitched on it and wonder how itthe crosses are touching as any gaps will look
was done? Sometimes the design is pre-printed orunsightly.
stamped on the material. If not, there is a wonderfulOnce you are finished cross stitching, you are ready
product called "waste canvas". Waste canvas is a gridto remove the waste canvas. First, remove the
of thread held together with a starch glue agent. It isstitches that you put in to hold the waste canvas in
used as a guide material for stitching on nonplace and then dab or spray the area with water.
evenweave type fabrics (like a t-shirt), so that youWater is used because the waste canvas is only held
can stitch neatly and maintain the correct size of thetogether with a starch based glue and the moisture
design and then remove the waste canvas to leavewill dissolve the starch. This then allows you to pull
only your cross stitched design on the fabric.out the waste canvas threads one at a time, either
To use the waste canvas, first find the centre ofby hand or with tweezers. If you find that you have
the canvas by folding it in half and then half again.stitched a bit tightly over a strand, just cut either
Mark the centre lightly with a pencil or a single crossside of the waste canvas thread, so that it is shorter
stitch. Next, attach the waste canvas to your fabricand easier to work with, and remove the canvas
with a tack or running stitch along the edges of thethread as normal.
canvas. Now you can stitch your design through theNow you are ready to cross stitch any design on any
waste canvas and through the fabric beneath usingtype of fabric. What a great way to personalize your
the squares of the waste canvas as a guide for thenext project and make it even more special!
cross stitch, as you would do with an evenweave