Long Legged Cross Stitch for Joining Plastic Canvas

Learn how to join plastic canvas pieces with this tutorial! 

Many crafters, when joining plastic canvas pieces, use the common whip stitch.  Although the whip stitch is fine, this tutorial will show you how to use the long-legged cross stitch – also known as the long-arm stitch or Greek stitch – to neatly and beautifully connect two pieces together.

The long-legged cross stitch adds a decorative accent to the plastic canvas project.  As a variation of the traditional cross stitch, this stitch creates a bold, slanted braid-like pattern that not only can hold your pieces together but can also be used to cover the unfinished edges for a nice, attractive finish.

Follow the step-by-step instructions with detailed photos below to learn the long-legged cross stitch.  If you prefer a video demonstration, be sure to check out our video tutorial too!.

learn how to join plastic canvas pieces with long-legged cross stitch

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Finished Plastic Canvas Pieces
• Yarn in Your Chosen Color
• Plastic Canvas Needle (Purchase from Amazon or Michaels)
• Scissors (Amazon or Michaels)

INSTRUCTIONS :

We’ll be working from the top to the bottom to join the canvas pieces.

STEP 1: Anchor the two plastic canvas pieces

Start with an anchor stitch.

Thread the plastic canvas needle with yarn.  Don't knot it.

Now, take the two finished plastic canvas pieces and align them together so the holes match up. From the back of only the front piece, bring the needle through the top hole, leaving a one to two-inch tail.  The tail will become hidden between the pieces as you stitch.

Now, hold the pieces together and bring the needle through the top hole of both pieces, pulling the yarn all the way through.

At this point, the two pieces should be anchored securely.  Make sure the tail is between the two pieces along the edge.

STEP 2: Begin the first stitch

Now, let's begin stitching the long-legged stitch.

Skip one hole down and from the back, bring the needle up through both pieces of plastic canvas in the next hole.Pull the yarn through and make sure the yarn tail is along the edge so it will become hidden while stitching.

STEP 3: make a short stitch

Make a short stitch by inserting the needle back into the very first hole you used to anchor the pieces. Pull through.

STEP 4: Make a long diagonal stitch

Count down four holes. Insert needle through from back to front through this hole and pull the needle and yarn snug.

STEP 5: short stitch again

Count up two holes and insert the needle into the same holes used in step 2.

STEP 6: Long stitch again

Count down four holesand repeat the long diagonal stitch.

STEP 7: Continue the pattern

Count up two holes and insert the needle into the holes.

Count down four holes.

Repeat the two holes up and then four holes down until you reach the bottom of the canvas.

STEP 8: Weave and trim the yarn

Once the two pieces are fully joined, flip your project over to the back. 
Using your needle, weave the yarn under several stitches to secure it in place.

Gently pull the yarn through, making sure it lies flat. Then trim off any excess with scissors.

And that’s it! You've learned how to join plastic canvas pieces using the long-legged cross stitch.

Take a look at the following picture.  The sample on the left is using the whip stitch to join pieces.

On the right, pieces are joined using the long-legged cross stitch.  This decorative stitch not only secures your project but also adds a unique, professional-looking edge.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Give the long-legged cross stitch a try in your next plastic canvas project—and let us know how it turns out!

More Stitches from the Cross Stitch Family

• Double Cross Stitch (Smyrna Stitch)
• Half Cross Stitch