What Is Waste Canvas?

I received several emails yesterday, from stitcher's who weren't familiar with waste canvas. I was asked if I would go into a more detailed description of what it is and how I use it to stitch on crazy quilts. First, here is an excerpt from my book:

Waste Canvas is a loosely woven mesh, coated with starch. Originally created for stitching charted designs on non-cross stitch fabric such as tee-shirts, the mesh is gridded with a blue thread every 5 stitches.





The purpose for using Waste Canvas in crazy quilting is to create perfectly sized and spaced stitches. With Waste Canvas, the stitches are counted out rather than free-handed.

Waste Canvas offers endless possibilities for borders using basic stitches:



The Waste Canvas is pinned or basted into position and working from the charted pattern, the stitches are counted out and duplicated on the block:



Once the border is complete, the Waste Canvas threads are pulled out one by one, from under the stitches:



And I must tell you, pulling those Waste Canvas threads out is way more fun than it should be! I mean honestly, I love that part!!!!

So that's what Waste Canvas is all about. It's available in 3 sizes, 14 count, 10 count and 8.5 count. For a beginner, I recommend 10 count or 8.5 count. I use all three sizes depending on my project.

I hope this basic explanation helps. If anyone has any questions, please don't hesitate to email me.

I was also asked about available payment methods. For US Residents only, I can accept US Money Orders. For international payments, I accept PayPal. Payment can be made with a credit card through PayPal. Ordering and payment can be made through my Etsy shop. Again, the book will be available somewhere between February 7th and February 10th.