Are you a newbie sewist or is it your first time trying to sew canvas? Well, sewing canvas can be a bit intimidating due to the fabric being heavy and tightly woven. In addition, it requires various sewing methods and some tips and tricks to sew smoothly and conveniently.
This guide will teach you how to sew canvas and the different ways of finishing to give your project a neat and professional look.
So, What is a Canvas?
A canvas is a tight woven heavy-duty fabric. This makes it strong and durable for making projects like bags, tents, shoes, embroidery, or home décor.
If you’re beginning to sew with canvas, First learn how to go about it because this kind of fabric requires attention and some machine modification.
Basic Tools Required For Sewing Canvas
Here are some of the basic tools you will need when sewing canvas.
Canvas
There are different types of canvas fabric like stretchy canvas, panels, rolls, pads, etc. When purchasing a canvas fabric, choose appropriately depending on the kind of projects you want to sew.
Wonder tape/ fabric glue
It comes in handy to help hold your fabric pieces together. Since canvas is a bit thick for pins, tape and glue can save you a lot of trouble.
Rotary Cutter
It’s the best tool to use when cutting canvas. This gives you precision and accuracy since you don’t have to hold the fabric up when cutting.
Thread
Due to the weight of the canvas and the texture, use a heavy-duty canvas thread preferably size 40. Some threads to use are cotton, polyester, or upholstery threads. To use this kind of thread on the bobbin thread, you will need to adjust the tension. This is because the thread will be too thick for the regular sewing machine bobbin.
Needles
Use the right canvas sewing needle. Use a heavy-duty needle that can withstand the thickness of canvas, such as a denim needle size 90-100. Using the appropriate needle size will prevent needle breaking.
Sewing Machine
Are you wondering whether you can use a standard sewing machine? Yes you can. You will only need to do some adjustments like tension, stitch length, and changing the presser foot. However, if you plan on doing more projects using canvas, you might want to consider investing in a heavy-duty sewing machine.
Must Read: An Ultimate Sewing Machine Buying Guide 2022
Tips For Sewing Canvas
Some tips for sewing canvas to help you sew professional-looking projects, and make your stitching process much easier.
- When storing canvas fabric, keep them rolled instead of folding them. Canvas is very hard to iron, hence avoid folding that creates creases and fold lines.
- To iron a canvas, dump it with water then press with an iron set on the highest settings.
- Sew slowly especially when sewing multiple layers of canvas. You can even move the wheel by hand.
- To prevent your canvas from fraying, use a hot knife to cut the raw edges. Also, use a sharp rotary cutter or scissors.
- If you are using an interface on your project, lay it at the edge of the seam line so that when sewing, you will only stitch two fabrics instead of three.
So, how do you go about sewing a canvas?
How To Sew Canvas
Cut the Canvas
Use very sharp scissors or a rotary cutter to cut your pattern pieces. Since canvas is thick, it’s hard to pin the pieces together. Hence use binding clips or add weights to hold the canvas in place. Cut each piece at a time to ensure accuracy.
Canvas Stitching
To sew the canvas, you can use these three main stitches.
1. A semi-flat felled seam
It’s almost a waterproof seam. It is a strong seam made with two stitches, of which only one stitch is exposed. It can be used for outdoor projects like tents, sails, etc. it gives you a clean and neat appearance.
First, join the two fabrics together on the right side, use basting tape to hold the pieces. Next, sew half an inch seam allowance making sure you sew uniform length. Use a rubber band to guide you when stitching.
Then, make a topstitch to complete the seam. After finishing the first stitch, lay the seam allowance to one side. Turn the fabric to the right side, and stitch an eighth of an inch, stitching through the fabric and the edges you pressed to one side.
2. An overlapping seam
It’s the easiest stitch to make. Use a basting tape on the seam allowance. Overlap the seam over the other seam line. Press the seam to baste it in place. Stitch half an inch from the seam allowance. Then flip the fabric to the other side, and do the second stitching an eighth inch from the first stitch.
3. A full flat felled seam
It’s a 100% strong seam, ideal for waterproof projects. Apply the basting tape on one piece of fabric, lay the over fabric so that the raw edge lays over the stitching line of the other fabric. Then stitch along the stitching line of the top fabric.
You should have the bottom fabric seam allowance protruding. Apply a basting tape on that seam allowance and fold it over the top fabric. Baste on the folded part, lay open the fabric. Flip to the inside and sew close to the folded edge. The downside of this seam is it uses extra fabric due to the folding done on the seam allowance.
You can use either of these three seams when sewing canvas. The choice of a seam will depend on whether a project is complex or simple. And whether it needs to be waterproof or exposed to the UV for long.
Finally,
Canvas stitching doesn’t have to be frustrating. Practice on scrap fabric and you will soon sew canvas with confidence. Do test your sewing machine settings before sewing the actual projects.
The key to successful canvas sewing is using the right tools, i.e. the right needles and thread, adjusting tension, and presser foot. This will ease your work and give you quality and professionally-sewn projects.
Recommended Readings:
What is the Best Sewing Machine for Wig Making – Guide and Reviews 2022
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How to Start Sewing – 12 Sewing Tips for Beginners
