Are you "Team Stretcher Bars"?

At Golden Thread Needlepoint Studio, we are primarily Team Stretcher Bars, and here’s the scoop as to why:

When it comes to needlepoint, stretcher bars are sometimes the unsung heroes that can completely transform your stitching experience (as well as your self-finishing experience). If you’ve ever noticed your canvas warping, stitches looking uneven, or your hands cramping after a long session, stretcher bars may be what you need!

Why Use Stretcher Bars?

• Maintain shape: Your canvas won't warp or change shape as you stitch. 

• Work more comfortably: A stable surface causes less strain on your hands.

• Use a stand or frame weight: Using stretcher bars allows you to utilize a needlepoint stand or frame weight. This can assist in completing certain stitches such as French Knots or adding embellishments such as beading and ribbon work. Ultimately, it is much easier to use both hands to stitch when using these techniques. 

How to Put a Canvas on Stretcher Bars:

• Choose the right size of stretcher bars

1. 1. Measure your canvas

   2. Stretcher bars come in packs of two. For example, if both the length and height of your canvas are 8 inches, you will need two sets of 8 inch stretcher bars (meaning 4 bars total). If the length is 16 inches and height is 13 inches, you will need one set of 16 inch bars and one set of 13 inch bars. 

• Assemble the frame

1. 1. Each bar has notches or slots on both ends that create a keyed corner when pushed together. 

   2. Push two bars together to create a 90 degree angle. 

   3. Push the next two bars together to create another 90 degree angle.

   4. Then, assemble these two pieces together, creating a square or rectangle.

• Position your canvas

1. 1. Place the canvas on top of the stretcher bars and line the corners of your canvas up with the corners of the stretcher bars.

• Tack or staple your canvas onto the bars

1. 1. You can use tacks or staples to secure the canvas onto stretcher bars - we like to use tacks as they are easy to transport and readily available at any LNS or online shop.

   2. Place the first tack or staple in the middle of the upper stretcher bar to adhere the canvas to the bar.

   3. Then, applying slight tension to the canvas, pull the canvas towards the bottom stretcher bar and place another tack in the middle of the bottom stretcher bar.

   4. Again, applying slight tension to the canvas, pull the canvas towards the right-sided stretcher bar and place a tack in the middle of the right stretcher bar.

   5. Follow suit with the left-sided stretcher bar. 

   6. You will now have four tacks pushed into the stretcher bars.

   7. Continue placing tacks onto the stretcher bars, leaving about 2 inches between tacks. Don’t forget to continue applying slight tension or pull to the canvas as you go!

• Check tension of canvas

1. 1. When your needlepoint canvas is tight or taut enough, it should feel like the top of a drum (firm and secure with no slack). 

   2. To test, tap the front of the canvas. You should feel resistance and see no obvious slack in the mesh. 

How to Remove a Canvas from Stretcher Bars:

• For tacks, you can use the blue plastic tool that comes in the box of tacks. 

1. 1. Place the head of the tack remover (the prongs) under the canvas or between the canvas and stretcher bar. Instinct is to place the prongs under the tack head or between the tack and canvas, but this method can be more difficult to remove the tacks. Therefore, we suggest inserting the prongs between canvas and stretcher bar - the tacks will come out with ease. 

• For staples, use a staple remover or flat head screw driver.

Tips & Tricks for Success:

• Tape your canvas edges if not already bound - this prevents fraying of edges or the rough edges snagging your fibers.

• If using tacks, sometimes a mallet/hammer or magnetic tack pusher can be helpful in securing a tack onto stretcher bars. 

• There is another thought process that involves adhering stretcher bars on the front of the canvas - this is called “stitching in the well.” Some prefer this method due to positives such as cleanliness (your hands are not touching the front of the canvas and stitched threads) as well as less interference between needle and frame when anchoring and ending threads. 

• As mentioned earlier in this post, using stretcher bars can help enhance your self-finishing experience. You will not need to block (or only minimally block) your canvas in preparation for finishing as the canvas will maintain its original shape while stitching. If you send your canvases off to a finisher, using stretcher bars may also help to reduce the price of finishing, as the finisher will not need to preemptively block your canvas.

• Write the size or length on each stretcher bar. For instance, if the stretcher bar is 12 inches, write the number “12” on the bar. This will help you easily distinguish the size when trying to grab a set from your stash.