|
You Will Need
A board, soft enough for tacks or drawing pins and larger than your canvas
A clean cloth to cover the board (lining fabric would do)
A set square and a ruler
A waterproof pen
Rust-proof tacks or drawing pins (a hammer for the tacks if using)
A very clean plant spray
Clean water
|
To Block Your Work
Pin the cloth to the board making sure it is clean and taut.
With a ruler and set square, work out the shape of your project, checking the angles at the corners are accurate. Draw in the square or rectangle which should be larger than the stitched area
(pic 1).
|
Spray the canvaswork on the right side. Dampen the work, don't soak it! Place it on the board (see note below).
Starting at the left-hand side, pin the canvas in place, matching the line of the canvas with the vertical line on the board. Pin in place.
Line up the top of your canvas with the horizontal line and pull into shape (pic 2).
|
Repeat for the two remaining sides pulling your canvas firmly to meet the lines.
When your canvas is stretched tightly in shape, spray lightly with water (pic 3).
|
Leave to dry.
When dry, remove your canvas from the board and check the shape. If it is still distorted, repeat the blocking process. If it has reshaped correctly, trim the canvas to the required shape ready for making up.
|
If you like this cushion, you'll find the pattern in issue 1 of Classic Stitches, available in our Shopping Mall.
|
Note
Pieces with half cross stitch or tent stitch are always blocked right side down on the board during the blocking process. This helps to even up the stitches for a professional finish. If you have raised or textured stitches in your piece it should be blocked right-side up to prevent flattening the stitches.
|