Can You Cross Stitch on Canvas? Yes! Here’s How

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Transform a quotation into an original work of art with this easy cross-stitch-on-canvas guide! This craft is entirely customizable and incredibly enjoyable to create – ideal for presents or decorating your home. I’ve added my complimentary pattern in the post.

Required Skill Level: Beginner. To finish this project, you should understand how to paint canvas and know the fundamentals of cross stitch.

Cross stitch on canvas

I’m thrilled to present this craft to you! It’s truly one of my all-time favorite projects. Are there particular quotes or song lyrics you adore? You know, the kind that brighten your mood when you see them written down or hear them playing on the radio.

That’s how The Beatles’ songs affect me – my mom enjoyed playing them when I was growing up, and we would sing along to the words during our drives home from school.

As a reminder of those joyful childhood moments, I stitched on canvas The Beatles lyric “all you need is love.” If you have a phrase that makes you smile, you’ll find this project enjoyable (and simple!).

Embroidery floss on canvas

Personalizing this canvas for someone special turns it into a lovely gift. Following my example also makes it a wonderful Valentine’s Day accent. Here are the materials you’ll require.

Collect the Materials

  • Printer with plain white paper
  • 12” x 24” canvas
  • FolkArt acrylic paint – Aqua (or another shade you prefer)
  • Printed quote or lyric design (you can use mine)
  • Embroidery thread – with my design, a single skein covered approximately three letters – I used four white skeins and one skein in each of several pink shades
  • Embroidery needles
  • Implement for piercing the canvas – I used a bead reamer similar to these options
  • Scissors
  • Painter’s tape

BE SURE TO FLIP THE PATTERN when working with letters. Since the pattern is attached to the canvas’s back, reversing it ensures the design appears properly on the front.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT NOTE: every stretched canvas, including the one I used, contains a wooden frame. Therefore, your design cannot cover the entire canvas because stitching is not possible from edge to edge.

Use the dimensions within the wooden frame to determine your stitching space. If your canvas includes a wooden crossbar, that is no issue. You can easily stitch behind and around it.

close up of cross stitching on canvas

Find the printable instruction card below:

Instructions for Cross Stitching on Canvas

Discover how to cross stitch onto cotton duck canvas, stapled to a frame and purchased from a craft shop, with embroidery floss.

Preparation Time15 minutes

Hands-On Time6 hours

Drying Time2 hours

Overall Time8 hours 15 minutes

Makes: 1 canvas

Expense: $12

  • 1 canvas 12″ x 24″
  • 2-3 bottles FolkArt acrylic paint Aqua or another color you prefer
  • Printed quote or lyric pattern this is mine
  • 6 skeins Embroidery floss for my design, one skein embroidered approximately three letters – I used four white skeins and one skein each in several pink shades
  • 1 roll Painter’s tape

  • Cover the canvas with acrylic paint. Apply three coats so it is fully covered, then allow it to dry.

  • Print the cross-stitch design and join the pages with tape . . . then secure the pattern to the inside back of the canvas (in the middle). Check that it stays within the wooden frame, or print it again until the size is right.

  • At every corner of each “X” in the design, use the bead reamer to pierce through the paper pattern and canvas from back to front. With a sharp-tipped bead reamer, making the holes is very simple.

  • Pass the embroidery floss through the needle and secure one end with several knots. Then begin stitching the canvas, carefully following the pattern.

  • The reverse side will look like this. Once one strand is complete, secure the floss by weaving it beneath several stitches. Start the next strand afterward.

  • Once you reach the final word (or whichever word you want to emphasize), switch to a different floss color. Complete it using the same method.

Step 2: This is how I made my design. First, I looked online for “cross-stitch letter patterns,” then used Excel to fill the squares with x’s and recreate the letters. Because I was attaching it to the back, I flipped the design, then printed it at the correct size. You may need several print attempts to ensure the pattern matches your canvas – refer to my attached pattern document for an example.
Step 3: Take care while punching the holes–avoid resting the canvas on your leg!
Step 4: I kept each floss strand intact rather than separating it into individual threads.

This remains one of my all-time favorite home decor projects – seeing it on the wall brightens my day every time. Now it’s your turn to create one, right?

I’d be delighted to hear your thoughts about this project in the comments. You may also enjoy these other cross stitch and wall projects:

DIY Pillow • Flower Sweater • Glue Art • Hand Embroidered Magnets • Magazine Collage Art • Mod Podge Canvas • Pom Pom Wall Hanging • Poster Hanger • Song Lyric Art • Yarn Wall Art • Yarn Wall Hanging

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