Use Waste Canvas to Do Embroidery on Clothing

Waste canvas is a special type of mesh embroidery fabric that will help you apply hand embroidery to clothing. Counted thread embroidery such as cross stitch or blackwork requires an evenweave fabric, which is a fabric made up of tiny squares.

If you are not working on an evenweave fabric, this special canvas will provide the grid while you work and can be removed after all stitching is finished. You do not need to use this type of canvas for freestyle embroidery methods such as crewel or machine embroidery.

How to Use Waste Canvas

1. Cut a piece to fit your design with a border that goes at least 2 inches larger all around.
2. Baste the canvas onto the right side of your fabric with brightly colored sewing thread. A bright color makes it easier to remove.
3. You may want to use some interfacing to support the waste canvas on the reverse side of the clothing fabric if it is a stretchy knit.
4. Put masking tape over the canvas edges to avoid snagged threads as you stitch.
5. Use a crewel needle or chenille needle to stitch your design instead of a tapestry needle. A crewel needle is sharper and will pierce the fabric better.
6. Be sure to stitch straight down in the center of each space. Take extra care that touching threads go through the same hole in the fabric for a nice, clean design.
7. After all embroidery stitching us done and threads are carefully secured on the reverse side of your work, remove the masking tape and basting stitches.
8. Trim the canvas closer to the design, leaving only 2 or 3 double threads.
9. Wet the canvas with a little water in a moist sponge or cotton ball, just enough to make it damp and soften the water-soluble starch that holds the threads together.
10. Remove the canvas threads one at a time with tweezers, pulling straight out to the side. Do all of the horizontal threads first, then turn the piece and do the vertical ones.

I think it's a lot easier than trying to cut out a design and appliqué it. With applique you have to worry about cutting too close and ruining the whole thing. You can use this technique not only to make your own embroidered jeans and embroidered denim jackets, but also to make bed curtains, towels, draperies, your velvet cape for the Renaissance festival... anything you want to embroider!