Stiffening Aida Fabric

Rage Against The Fridge

Posted by Miss_Fit

About

I was most distraught when I discovered that the Micheal's in my city had stopped selling the 14 count Aida plastic canvas that I normally used and had come to know and love. You see, I have (like a lot of people) ADHD and doing little cross stitches help keep idle hands busy and thus contenting the rest of me. But because they're so small, it's hard to do them on the normal cloth canvas. Because I've started turning them into fridge magnets. Which I won't insult your intelligence by putting a how to on that.

Dog Pattern:http://www.jessica-tromp.nl/crossstitch/crossstitch%20borduur%20(10).png

Flower Pattern: http://www.jessica-tromp.nl/crossstitch/b%20stitchingchart%20kruissteek%20(10).png

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You Will Need (6 things)

  • 1 Interior Varnish
  • 1 Clear Nail Polish (For extra strengthaning
  • 1 Aida Fabric
  • Flat Surface (For drying)
  • Paint Brush
  • Flat Surface (For varnishing)

Steps (6 steps, 30 minutes)

  1. 1

    Cut the canvas to the desired size. Although, you COULD do it all at once, I for one have never tried!

  2. 2

    Take your paintbrush and a bottle of varnish. I normally just a wide flat dollar store brush (like the plastic kiddie kind) but you may want to consider using a house paining brush, if you're doing a larger piece.

  3. 3

    Paint the varnish onto the fabric. It WILL soak through and varnish the place under where you're doing this, hence the need for two flat surfaces.

    A special note from the voice of experience: The surface you use to paint. Make sure it's clear and not apt to accidentally colour your Aida (Unless you're doing this on purpose) because even ten year old crayon certainly WILL. It's also best no to use anything that will peel. Best used on an unpainted plastic surface! The picture attached is a warning of a finished product and the whoopsie I made on the back!

  4. 4

    Move it to the drying surface. If you try to use the other surface to dry, it may get stuck. Like what happened to that mishap up there. Note: It still CAN be used and I HAVE but the back IS rather unsightly! See? Usable!

  5. 5

    Once dry, it is ready to use! You may want to use a slightly sharper needle just in case, though I don't use blunt needles so I can't tell you if it'll still work.

  6. 6

    HAPPY STITCHING!