General Information:Crafting with 7 Mesh Plastic Canvas Sheets
Plastic canvas is a stiff but bendable plastic mesh with evenly spaced holes arranged in a square grid. A 7 mesh plastic canvas sheet has seven holes per linear inch, making it well suited for projects stitched with yarn, heavier embroidery floss, ribbon and similar materials. The regular grid helps crafters count stitches, repeat motifs and follow plastic canvas patterns accurately.
Plastic canvas sheets are easy to cut with sturdy scissors, allowing you to create squares, circles, stars, ornaments, letters and custom shapes. Cut edges can be covered with overcast stitches for a neat finish, while separate pieces can be stitched together to build sturdy three-dimensional projects.
Make Useful Three-Dimensional Projects
One of the most popular uses for plastic canvas is creating dimensional items. Boxes, baskets, tissue box covers, purses, tote bags, doll furniture, organizers and holiday decorations can be assembled by stitching individual canvas pieces together. The plastic grid gives these projects structure while remaining lightweight and easy to handle.
Create Coasters, Placemats and Home Decorations
Use plastic canvas to make coasters, placemats, wall hangings, picture frames, door decorations and other accents for the home. Choosing colored plastic canvas can reduce the amount of background stitching needed and allows exposed areas of the grid to become part of the finished design.
Plastic canvas projects can be coordinated with holidays, seasons, room colors or special occasions. Combine different canvas colors within one design or select a color that complements the yarn and embellishments used in the project.
Design Ornaments, Accessories and Small Crafts
Smaller pieces of plastic canvas are ideal for Christmas ornaments, gift tags, keychains, bookmarks, magnets, hair accessories and package decorations. The firm base helps small projects hold their shape and makes them easier to display, hang or attach to another item.
Completed projects can be embellished with beads, buttons, sequins, rhinestones, bells, charms, fabric, glitter, clasps and other decorative materials. These additions can add texture, movement and detail to a basic stitched design.
Use Plastic Canvas for Needlework and Cross-Stitch Designs
The evenly spaced grid can also serve as a firm base for counted needlework and cross-stitch-style designs. Unlike fabric, plastic canvas does not require an embroidery hoop and will not shift while being stitched. Finished motifs can be used for ornaments, coasters, bookmarks, magnets, framed designs and dimensional projects.
A Helpful Material for Beginning Crafters
The large, clearly defined holes of 7 count plastic canvas make it easier to see where each stitch should be placed. This makes the material useful for beginners, children with appropriate supervision and anyone who prefers a larger stitching grid. Simple projects can help teach counting, color placement, basic needlework stitches and pattern reading.
Choosing a Plastic Canvas Color
White and clear plastic canvas are versatile choices for many patterns, while colored sheets can become an important part of the design. Dark colors create dramatic backgrounds, bright colors work well for children’s crafts and playful decorations, and traditional holiday colors provide a ready-made foundation for seasonal projects.
Browse the available colors to find the right 7 mesh plastic canvas sheets for your next stitched craft, ornament, home decoration or three-dimensional project.
Below are links to free patterns using plastic canvas.
