Canvas - Stretching a Canvas

Tools for the Job

A tape measure.

A tack hammer.

A wooden mallet.

A staple gun (but 3/8" bayonet tacks can be used).

Knock the stretcher bars together with the mallet to form the required dimensions. If you have chosen a larger stretcher, the cross-bar should also be added.

Cut the canvas with an extra 2" each side. Place the canvas face down on a clean, flat surface. Then place the frame onto the canvas with the raised lip of the stretcher face down.

Centre the frame and check that the weave of the canvas runs parallel to the stretcher bars.

Starting on one side of the smaller sides, fasten the canvas to the stretcher with one tack in the centre of the bar. The tack should be placed about ½” from the edge of the canvas. Then follow the sequence for each side shown in the diagram.
The canvas needs to be pulled and held reasonably taut before each tack is secured.

Beginning on one of the longer lengths, tack the canvas to the bar in the sequence shown.

The tacks should be about 2 – 3” apart. Remember to keep the canvas pulled taut.

When one side is secured, repeat the procedure in the sequence shown.

Tack the smaller sides to about 3” from the corner, this allows room to fold and neaten the canvas.

Fold the corners as if making a bed (i.e. nurses corners).  

Tack each corner in turn.

Place the wooden wedges into the slots in the inside edge of the stretcher bars.

Adjust the tension of the canvas by gently knocking the wedges with the tack hammer.

The wedges are used to make final adjustments. Only slight alterations to the canvas tension can be made at this stage.