Canvas Stretching 101

Today, we are going to stretch a canvas! If you would like to schedule a one on one lesson, please comment, email or come by the shop! 

Here is what you need:
-Canvas
-Stretcher Bars that fit your canvas
- A staple gun loaded with staples
- Canvas Pliers 

Step One: Build your stretcher bars. The type of stretch bar we are using are tongue and groove, so they slide together, but be sure to add wood glue, so you get a tight fit!

Step Two: On the back of your canvas, mark where you are going to fold the canvas. This will ensure you stretch your canvas straight. Do this by folding your canvas where your image ends, and then using a ruler and a pencil, make a straight line across the fold. Do this on all four sides. 

Step Three: Line your stretcher bars up with the lines you just made on your canvas.

Step Four: Using your canvas pliers, stretch your canvas around the first edge of your stretcher bars.

Step Five: Repeat this process on all four sides of your canvas, so you end up with one staple in the middle of each stretcher bar.

Step Six: Rotate your canvas while using your canvas pliers to stretch the canvas around your stretcher bars. Add two staples at a time, one on each side of the original staple.

Step Seven: Repeat this process until you have stapled two sides of your canvas all the way to the edges.

Step Eight: This is the tricky part. We are now going to fold our corners. Begin by pulling the canvas corners so that the extra canvas is flat against your stretcher bars. 

Step Nine: Fold your canvas over the corner of the stretcher bar, and using your canvas pliers make sure the canvas is stretched tight around the corner.

Complete all four corners using the same process, and you are done!! :) (this is my darling girl Bonnie!)

Thank you for tuning in today! If you would like to schedule a one on one tutorial on canvas stretching please comment, email or come by!!

-Much Love- 
​Amanda