SELECTING YOUR CANVAS:
The main difference between types of plastic canvas is the mesh size. Mesh size refers to the number of holes in one inch of canvas. Seven mesh is the most popular size of canvas used in projects.

5 mesh	5 holes per inch
7 mesh	7 holes per inch
10 mesh	10 holes per inch
14 mesh	14 holes per inch

CANVAS COLORS:
Most projects are stitched on clear canvas, but canvas is also available in a wide range of colors. Try using an open stitch pattern on colored canvas if you don't want to stitch the entire background. The color of the canvas then becomes a part of your design. CUTTING YOUR CANVAS:
When cutting plastic canvas, you count the threads of the canvas not the holes. Threads are the plastic line that make up the grid.

The easiest way to keep from making mistakes when cutting out canvas is to use a grease pencil to mark the outline of the shape on the plastic canvas before you cut it out.
Counting thread by thread on the chart, mark the same outline on the piece of canvas. This is something like connect-the-dots. If your beginning point and ending point meet, you know your marked it right! If they don't, use a tissue to wipe off your markings and then start again.

SELECTING NEEDLES:A blunt needled called a tapestry needle is used for stitching on plastic canvas. Tapestry needles are sized by numbers; the higher the number, the smaller the needle. Generally, the correct size needle to use depends on the canvas mesh size. You may wish to use a smaller needle dpending on the yarn thickness or number of plies of yarn or strands of embroidery floss.

MESH	NEEDLE
5	#16
7	#16
10	#20
14	#24

STITCHING:
When you make your very first stitches on a piece of plastic canvas, bring your threaded needle up through the canvas. Leave a "tail" of yarn about one or two inches long on the back side of your canvas.
Hold the tail of yarn down with one or two fingers while you work a few stitches on the tip side of your canvas. While you work your stitches, catch the tail under your yarn as you make each stitch. When the tail has been caught by a few stitches, trim off the rest of the tail so it won't be in your way as you stitch.
To end your stitches, finish your last stitch by going down throug the top of your canvas to the back of your canvas. Run your needle and yarn under the backs of a few stitches. Cut off the leftover yarn in your needle close to the backs of your stitches.
When stitching, work from right to left and bottom left to top right.

TYPES OF YARN AND THREADS:
There is a large variety of yarns and threads that you can use with plastic canvas. Some of them are:

WORSTED WEIGHT YARN - most popular for 7 mesh, or doubled for 5 mesh.
PLASTIC CANVAS YARN - one strand for 7 mesh and 2 for 5 mesh
SPORT WEGHT YARN - works nicely on 10 mesh
TAPESTRY YARN - ideal for working on 10 mesh, but needs doubling for 7 mesh
PERSIAN WOOL - Can be used on any size canvas
PEARL COTTON - works well on 10 and 14 mesh
EMBROIDERY FLOSS - 12 strands for 10 mesh, 6 for 14 mesh and 6 strands for adding details on 7 mesh
METALLIC YARN - available in different sizes for use with various mesh sizes
METALLIC BRAID - also available in various sizes

WASHING YOUR PROJECT:
Since plastic canvas is washable, you may hand wash projects in warm water with a mild detergent if you stitched your entire project with washable yarn. Plastic canvas can't be professionally dry=cleaned or put in a clothes dryer.