How to Stretch Your Silk Painting on a Canvas Frame in 10 Easy Steps

Many silk painting artists and hobby-craft people areof the bottom then the top and then swivel your frame
constantly looking for new ways to present the worksaround and do left and right.
of art that they create. I often get asked if I have anyStep 6: Continue with this process, adding staples
suggestions as to what they could do. And thehalfway along between each of the staples and the
answer is yes. I'm going to discuss with you in thiscorners. Do this for all four sides until the silk is properly
article how to stretch your silk painting on a canvasattached all the way around the frame.
frame in a nice straight forward process. So let's getStep 7: Work each of the corners. Fold the fabric flat
started.in one direction, then tuck the fabric up against it from
You need to get yourself a chunky artist's canvas inthe opposite direction. Take care to do this neatly and
the size you would like to have the painting mounted.then staple the silk down carefully. Make sure all of
Important to note is that the piece of silk you' re goingyour staples are on the underside and cannot be seen
to stretch over it has to be at least 15cm wider andfrom the top when the picture is hanging.
15cm deeper. Why is that? Because you will need theStep 8: Turn your picture around and check that the
extra fabric to wrap around the sides of the frame.silk has been attached nice and straight. If you are
So let's get started with the process.unhappy with the result, go back and remove the
Step 1: Find yourself a clear working space to do this.staples and make any adjustments necessary. If you
Place your canvas frame on the table in front of youhave an abstract design, or anything that isn't
and carefully lay the silk on top.symmetrical, then centring the image is not quite so
Step 2: Gently move the silk around until it is exactlycritical.
centred on top of the canvas frame. Take time to doStep 9: Lay your picture face down again and using a
this as the more exact you are, the better the finalknife and measuring stick, trim off any excess silk.
result will be.Please only do this when you are wide awake.
Step 3: Fold the silk around the top and bottom and putStep 10: And now you can hang up your picture. This is
one or two pins in place to hold the silk firmly.a quick and easy way to prepare your silk painting and
Step 4: Carefully turn your frame around the otherit has a really contemporary look.
way, with the underside showing up. Now you can beIf you'd like to see a detailed tutorial with pictures
sure that your artwork is nice and centred.showing you how to stretch your silk painting on a
Step 5: Starting with the side facing you, start to staplecanvas frame, have a look at my blog. Enjoy.
the silk in place on the wooden frame. Do the centre