How to Repair a Hole in the Canvas

It’s a question which perplexes those beginning needlepoint. It makes us all cautious if we cut out threads.

But sooner or later you will encounter the problem — you’ve cut a hole in the canvas.

How do you repair it?

There are two ways to fix the problem, depending on how large the hole is.

If the hole is only one thread which has been cut, you ought to be able just to stitch over it. But this ONLY works if it’s one thread. Although I have done Tent Stitch in this case, it really works best if the stitch is longer AND is not beginning of ending on either side of the hole. If that’s the case, just stitch as you normally would.

If it’s more than one hole find a piece of canvas the same mesh size, slightly bigger than the hole, about three to four threads all around. You could even take it from the unstitched margins of the canvas if you had to.

If you are unsure how to find the mesh size, there are two methods. One is to use a tool called, I think, mesh minder. It has 1 inch grids of common mesh sizes. Put that over the canvas and find the one which matches. The other way is to use a ruler. Measure 1 inch along a single thread and count the number of intersections.

Place the cut piece of canvas onto the back of the canvas behind the hole. Line up the threads so the holes are even and baste or hold in place. Stitch through both layers of the canvas immediately. It will look exactly like the uncut areas.

Any additional bulk at the margins of the hole from stitching through two layers of canvas is on the back, where it won’t be seen. The hole has a single layer of canvas in the same mesh size and will look like the rest of the canvas.

With this method and a bit of scrap canvas (finally a way to use those scraps), even those beginning needlepoint can repair a canvas hole.