You know you love it….

by Sister-Diane on January 14, 2008

in Plastic Canvas, Yarn Crafts

I’ve been meaning to do another plastic canvas post for a while now, especially since generous friends have been gifting me with some great PC books.

I know some of you think I’m insane for this, but I really do think plastic canvas has huge potential as a craft material. And I’m about to prove it to you:

This little house purse is from Erica Wilson’s excellent New World of Plastic Canvas. (Someday I’ll quote from the intro chapter, which is awesome.) I think this is cute, and well-designed. It respects the primary limitation of plastic canvas, which is: it doesn’t do curves very well. Not to mention, when you layer embroidery on top of needlepoint, you get something really pretty.

Book covers? Absolutely! Think how sturdy they’d be. (From this book.)

Erica Wilson does an amazing job of elevating plastic canvas through design. This table top is very pretty – and more so because she didn’t bother with the standard needlepoint tent stitch. Instead, she opted for a crewel-like design of longer stitches, which creates an interesting texture.

Here are a couple of what I’d consider less-successful designs, from yet another book. Again, the curved forms just don’t take well to the PC. They just come out looking too chunky and somehow . . . cheap? However, I think the shape of that vase is interesting, and could be developed with some different stitchery.

Of course I can’t resist showing you these. All I can think of is how the sand would pass right through the mesh soles. They would, however, be most effective footwear if you wanted to kick sand in someone’s face.

But, another take on the plastic canvas shoe, and Erica Wilson’s design sense at work again.

By now you’re asking, “But what the heck is that in the photo at the top of this post?” It’s a typewriter cover! I love this thing – it makes me think of the movie 9 to 5 for some reason. Couldn’t you see Dolly Parton whipping this bad boy off her Selectric to start the day?

Remember this post in fifteen years, when we’re all making things with plastic canvas. You heard it here first. :-)

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  • I'm still in love with the plastic canvas project you wrote for CROQ, what was it, issue 2? You're awesome.

    Thank you for mentioning 9-to-5, too... I love that movie. :)
  • THANKS for giving me a literal laughing out loud at those sandals!! I don't often crack up but those did it. OH MY GOODNESS!!
  • I think you're onto something here Diane! My favorites are the house purse and the vase - both have lots of potential. I love Erica Wilson's work also so it's nice to see her interpretation. You're a trendsetter I tell ya! Go Diane!
  • Ok, if I EVER use plastic canvas I will be sure to credit you. But I don't think that will be happening, as those beach sandals just scared the beejevas out of me! LOL
  • Ah, Diane! Thank you for that lovely Dolly Parton 9-5 typewriter cover image . . . and for that last pair of plastic canvas shoes - really pretty cool!! I've been thinking about redecorating/reconstructing shoes . . . and that would be a nifty use for plastic canvas . . . once again, you've got me thinkin'! Love it!
  • Melissa Melissa
    You are such a trend setter....what next a dress from a latch hook kit?
  • SuzanneG in NC
    Erica Wilson is so talented! I needlepoint and enjoy all sorts of embroidery and really enjoy her patterns. I am always surprised by the fabrics, etc. she uses for her base; plastic canvas is elevated to art in her hands.
  • Deanne
    I thought it was a toaster oven cover! LOL It did make me think maybe I'll try making a sewing machine cover from plastic canvas. I'll let you know.
  • erica wilson is a genius!
  • futuregirl
    I've been mulling over some ideas since you did the plastic canvas podcast. Someday I'll make something out of plastic canvas and it'll rock!
  • Hahaha - when I was in junior high (Catholic school) the nuns used to have "art+craft" time with us and we made all sorts of plastic canvas goodies. Being an overachiever I made a whole desk set - mail box, pencil cup, paper weight, etc. When I was finished they wanted to take it! Without telling us that they were going to do this beforehand, they tried to confiscate all of our finished projects to sell in a church bazaar! I said NO WAY! You better believe that hunter/mint green puppy came home with me! That kind of soured plastic canvas for me at the time...but I've been mulling over the possibilities since you've been chatting about it lately...
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