Updated November 22, 2020.
I read a tip that you could use Washi Tape instead of Artist’s Tape for binding the edges of your canvas.
Washi tape has two big advantages. First, it’s widely available. Second, because it’s printed, it is pretty. it certainly would be nicer to look at these designs insttead of dull white tape.
I tried Washi tape (from 3M and bought at the local office supply store) on four canvases recently. I bought the 1″ wide tape so I could fold it over the edge.
Washi tape has two similarities to Artist’s Tape. Both are acid-free and low-tack. This means that they will not discolor your canvas as masking tape does.
However, Washi tape is not tacky enough to stay put on the edges of your canvas. I tried just taping it. I tried running my thumb over it (enough for Artist’s Tape to stay in place). I tried pressing hard on one or both sides. Nothing helped. Close to 1/3 of the sides did not stick completely.
The tape popped up after half an hour or so. Once a side had popped up, it would continue to do so, no matter how often I pressed it down.
This makes Washi tape an unacceptable binding for needlepoint canvas. You have avoided the problem of threads catching on the rough unbound edges in exchange for the thread catching on the sticky tape.
You casn minimize this by putting tacks, lots of tacks, through the sides and using stretcher bars. But I’m sticking to Artist’s Tape (reviewed here). If you want to good selection of colors and widths try Dick Blick. This tape comes in three widths and six colors
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
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