Painting your own needlepoint canvas is a great way to make the hobby more affordable. In this post you will learn the supplies that you need for painting, how to prepare your needlepoint canvas and how to paint.
What You'll Need:
- Needlepoint Pattern/Chart
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Fine Tip Black Pen
- Acrylic Paint or Acrylic Paint Pens
- Fine Tip Paint Brush
Step 1: Cut the Canvas to Size
Using a ruler, measure out your desired canvas size and cut accordingly. A general rule of thumb is to allow two inches of canvas around the design. For example, if your design is 4 x 4 inches, you would cut your canvas to be 8 x 8 inches.
Step 2: Mark the Centre Point
Using a ruler and fine tip pen, lightly mark the centre point of the canvas. This will be where you start painting and will ensure your design is centred.
Step 3: Setup for Painting
Prepare your space for painting with paper towel, water for rinsing your brush, paints and a digital or printed chart.
Step 4: Begin Painting
Locate the centre of the needlepoint chart (usually marked with a yellow "X") and begin painting. Each square of the needlepoint chart will correspond to an intersection on the canvas.
Painting canvas can be tricky at first. With practice you will get quicker and develop tips and tricks along the way. If you're new to this, I recommend starting with a 13 mesh canvas with a simple design.
Step 5: Tape the Canvas
Once your design is painted and dried, you can tape the edges of the canvas to prevent fraying. Masking tape or painters tape works great.
Your canvas is now ready to stitch. Happy stitching!
