How to Display Embroidery on a Stretched Canvas

Cut the Embroidered Fabric to Fit

Place the stretched canvas on the backside of the carefully pressed embroidered fabric. Trim the fabric evenly on all four sides so the excess fabric can wrap all the way around to the back. For standard canvases, a 2-inch border of fabric is usually sufficient. Thicker canvases require a much larger border of fabric.

Start Lacing the Back of the Canvas

Cut 2 to 3 yards of strong thread. This is much longer than you should normally work with, but it's helpful for this use. Thread the needle and double the thread, tying a large knot at the end.

Starting in the middle of the sides of the canvas, bring the thread through the fabric. Secure the starting point with an extra stitch. Begin lacing the back by stitching through the wrapped fabric on the two opposite sides, working from the middle out toward the edge. Pull the fabric taut with each stitch. Each stitch should go through the fabric at least 1/4-inch from the edge, but 1/2-inch is better. 

Secure the Thread Ends With an Extra Stitch

When you reach the end of your thread, hold the lacing tight. Take a small extra stitch to help hold the lacing. Next, tie a large knot close to the fabric and trim the end. Start a new thread, just like in the previous step.

Finish Lacing the Back of the Canvas

When you reach the ends of the long sides, stitch across from top to bottom to pull the two short sides taut. Keep the lacing within the framed open area on the back of the canvas. There should be loose fabric at the corners.

Tuck One Side of a Corner

Tuck the corner fabric on one of the sides under the folded flap at the top. Push the fabric as close to the top edge as you can, using a wooden skewer or similar tool if needed.

Fold the Corner Under

Fold the top flap of fabric under at about a 30 degree angle. Pull the corner fabric tight so there are a few folds on the corner of the canvas as possible. Fold this piece down again, so it lays flat and so the fold is not right on the edge of the canvas.

Stitch the Folded Corner

With the corner pulled tight and the fabric folded as neatly as you can, stitch the fold down onto the previously tucked corner. You don't need many stitches to hold this, but you should stitch along almost the entire fold. Thread the needle with a doubled thread and knot the end. Keep it handy for when the corner folding is done. Secure the end with a large knot close to the fabric.

Finish Folding and Stitching the Corners

Repeat the folding and stitching process at each of the four corners. If you have excess fabric, like the small triangles poking out in the photo above, you can trim them off to remove a bit of bulk.

Trace the Canvas on Felt

You can leave the back of the canvas open and attach a sawtooth picture hanger to the wooden frame or add a covering to conceal the lacing. To make the covering, place the canvas on a piece of wool-blend felt, positioning the canvas about 1/4 inch over the corner of the felt. Trace around the remaining two sides. Cut the rectangle of felt.

Glue the Felt on the Canvas Back

Use fabric glue to attach the felt to the back of the canvas. For an easy hanger, cut a thin rectangle of felt and glue the ends at the top of the backed canvas as a hanger. You can also use a traditional picture hanger, hammering, or screwing through the material and into the wooden frame.

Show off Your Embroidered Canvas

Display your finished embroidery on canvas by placing it on a shelf and lean it up against a wall or add it to a gallery wall! The finished work looks professional and is a nice change from framing in an embroidery hoop or even within a standard frame.