Tips and Techniques: Reversed Canvas
I kept seeing this canvas on Pinterest that were called reversed canvas but for the life of me I wasn’t sure what that meant. Then I researched it some more and really liked what I saw. I had bought canvas packs of various sizes ages ago and decided I would try and make some and I loved them. I now have 6 versions – 4 square and 2 rectangle that I make on the regular. This will show you how to do if you want to try.
Materials Needed
12 x 12 canvas (you can use any size really but the pictures will show you how to make this 12 x 12 version)
White and black paint ( I use screen printing paint but you can use any craft paint)
Oracle Vinyl (for silhouette machine)
Contact paper
Decoupage (Matte Finish)
Make-up sponges
Staples
Dark Walnut Stain and Rags
Painter’s Tape
Sawtooth hanger
Tools Needed
Furniture staple puller (or you can use a flat head screwdriver and pliers)
Exacto knife
Paint brushes
Staple gun
Silhouette machine and tools for it (scraper and hook)
Scissors
Hammer
Steps
- Remove the canvas with the exacto knife as show at right. (Cut right long the staples on outside edge). Then remove the remaining canvas underneath staples by pulling hard on it.
- Next use the furniture staple puller or flat head screwdrive and pliers to remove each staple. This takes some muscles to get in there.
- Once staples removed, stain the frame with Dark Walnut stain and set aside to dry.
- It’s now time to cute the canvas down to the size of the frame. For this we cut down to 12 x 12. Then we taped the canvas to the table so it lays flat.
- Next print your phrase on your silhouette machine. Use the vinyl that you create as a stencil (so your weaving the inside of the vinyl and not around the letters. See picture). Once fully weaved, attach your vinyl to the contact or transfer paper to transfer to you canvas. Use your hook and scraper tools to weave and attach the vinyl.
- Now transfer your vinyl to the canvas removing the transfer paper. Use your scraper tool to ensure you get a close seal of the vinyl to the canvas.
- Once the vinyl is attached, use a sponge brush and the matte decoupage to seal the edges of the words. Let this dry.
- Using your make-up sponges, sponge on the wording color. You should only need to use one coat but if you feel it needs more, do another coat within 20-30 minutes. You are going to want to pull up the vinyl and painters tape while the paint is still tacky to touch (about 20-30 minutes after painting). Once you remove the main vinyl, you will need to remove the inside of the letters (like o’s and e’s). Use your hook to carefully remove.
Now wait until the canvas is fully dry and no longer tacky. Line up the canvas on the backside of the frame (where you pulled out the staples) with the painted side in so that the frame makes a frame around the picture. Use the staple gun to staple the canvas back around the frame.
Lastly attach the sawtooth hanger on backside with hammer.
Melinda
My name is Melinda, and I am a wife, mom of 3 kids – two boys and one girl, grandmother to four little ones and lover of farmhouse style and making things. I’ve been creating handmade, unique items for your home, for gifts, for holidays, and for my family since I was a little girl. My passion for making things and repainting furniture has inspired me to create a business selling these unique products. I have been repainting and repurposing furniture for home use and am now ready to take my unique style and create great furniture for you.
