How to do Reverse Canvases
I previously explained that we recently redid our guest bathroom. The ‘new’ bathroom is mostly white, so it desperately needed some dressin’ up! I decided on a very simple flower and resigned myself to figure out how to make it myself using the Silhouette Studio software. That process was described fully in Part 1.
It is now time to use those designs to create the actual wall art and show you how to do reverse canvases.
The flower svg that I created in Part 1 will be used in each of the 3 ‘rooms’ of the bathroom. I decided on 2 shades of gray and a soft pink. Since we are making reverse canvases, I decided on the sizes of canvases needed. I then took them all apart by removing the staples from the back of each. The frame that is being used to stretch the canvas will become the frame of my designs. I decided to stain these, but I often paint them.
You’ve seen the 3 large designs in Part 1. I drew frames the size of my actual frames so I could be sure of the proper placement and sizing of the design. After working all that out, I cut out the flowers and the words using HTV (heat transfer vinyl) with my Cameo.
Each piece is placed on the canvas and pressed just long enough to remove the plastic carrier sheet. It is important to NOT press too long when you will be doing multiple pieces. Too much heat will slightly shrink the vinyl.
Next, I lay the frame on top of the design exactly where I want it and trace the outside of the frame with a pencil. I then trim off the extra canvas by cutting inside the traced line by about a quarter inch.
The last step is to staple the canvas onto the back of the frame, pulling it tightly so the canvas is smooth.
You now have art to hang on a wall. I tend to use Command strips that are velcro because these reverse canvases are super lightweight and just don’t require hardware or holes in walls. I am very pleased with my finished products:
