Stretcher bars..the great debate.

I hear so many people pro stretcher bars or anti stretcher bars. The canvas must be on top or the canvas must be on the bottom. Some like thumb tacks others swear on staples.

For heavens sake they are wooden sticks with notches. You either form a square or a rectangle. Stretcher bars can be fat or thin and are sized in increments of 1 inch until you get to the really big size. Than they move to two inch. the largest size is 36 inches! Stretcher bars are sold in pairs of two.

The purpose is to keep the canvas as tight as possible and prevent distortion. The less distortion the less blocking is required and the less cost from the finisher. The canvas stays so much cleaner because you are not handling it all the time. The canvas and threads pick up the oils in your hands and can leave the canvas looking dirty. Canvases on stretcher bars can be placed in frames and worked faster than when they are held in your hand.

Many people prefer thumb tacks because they can re tighten the canvas during the project if the canvas stretches. If you are going to use thumb tacks make sure they are pushed all the way into the bar otherwise your threads with get tangled around the tack.

Of course it is ultimately your choice . No matter what you choose. Enjoy your stitching time!

Kathleen