Creases in cotton canvas

[tuatara]

I have recently inherited some cotton duck canvas.

It is a really heavy weight one but came complete with quite strong creases across it. I always keep mine on a roll to avoid this.
Can anyone please help as to getting rid of the creases as I have struck the problem in the past and have not had any luck with them. Soaking didn't work, so would really appreciate some help on this.

Thanks

Pam

[lori]

do an initial stretch on the bars you plan to use. attach, but in a way that you can pull out staples or nails, whichever you use, and don't put as many as normal. then spray the stretched canvas with HOT water. let dry, do this a couple of times, the canvas should stretch/shrink a bit through the process. after it has, re-stretch tighter until what ever is left stretches out...keep doing this until they are gone than do the FINAL stretching of the canvas. it seems like alot of work, but its not. i assume that you are using canvas pliers to stretch your canvas? if not, you'll never get the tight stretch that'll get rid of these creases.

usually, when i have creases in my canvas, and i use very thick canvas because i paint thick, they come out with the stretching process (the one i did above). you can never get them out BEFORE the stretch, at least that has been my experience...although i heard that some people wash their canvases before stretching, something that i've never done as it changes the texture too much for me.

anyway...hope that helped. lori

[djstar]

I assume you are talking about fabric, not pre primed material.
I have a really weird idea: iron it?
If you are soaking it, it has to dry anyway. So help it along.
I have no clue what happens to the wrong side of the fabric, if it is primed, but initally it starts as fabric and a good steam iron should do what a good steam iron does! Try ironing under a sheet so as not to risk any scorches.
Even if it compacts the fiber a bit, it can be washed again and the crease should be out of it's memory.
(Like I even know how to do laundry!!!)
Just an obvious solution to something that sounds over complicated....
let me know if it works and I will try it myself! :)
dj*

[tuatara]

Hi dj and lori,

thanks so much for all the input. This is indeed fabric really really heavy would make a good tent - not primed as yet. I have tried the iron before with no success but being of slothful nature suddenly thought this might be a simple solution. The said monstrous piece of canvas has been outside in the rain for 3 days - to get it really sopping- I dragged it in and as it was good and wet attacked it with the steam iron on both steam very hot and very hot and dry. It makes a beautiful job of ironing the canvas but the - as you say memory- of the creases is still there. While it was wet outside I did a bit of tugging on it and could see that the creases did indeed ease a little. So am going for the stretch stretch and stretch again with the hot water and hopefully it might work, Really appreciate the help on this Will let you know

kind regards Pam:)

[djstar]

I am hoping for a really easy solution.
I have a few yards, like once I thought I would make FLOOR CLOTHS, in a cabinet.
It has been squashed square for almost a decade.
I KNOW the center line will be stiff as a board, but I am watching with baited breath to see what the solution is.
Rain is not an option. I live in Arizona.
So, we will pray for steam.
:D dj*

[tuatara]

Hi dj,

that was quick!!! We have plenty of rain. :D This process might take me a couple of days but I'll be sure to let you know. Maybe there is a chemical solution like one of the fabric softeners - now my mind is taking a few tangents Might give it a try on a smaller scrap piece. :) Your floor cloths sound nice were they to be painted.

Pam

[CarlyHardy]

I'd suggest you use the heavyweight stretcher bars with this canvas too...especially if you want a larger size.
carly

[djstar]

I just got to the end of a roll of preprimed canvas and there is a nasty bend all up it.
I stretched it up and used acrylic primer really impasto on it. It filled in the wrinkles and bends really well and nobody would know any better!
dj*

[tuatara]

Hi Lori, dj and carly,

I stretched the canvas as Lori suggested and after the forth go it has turned out pretty good. There is the slightest trace of the really bad crease but as you say dj if you prime it up with enough thick base coats it will cover it. Worked just fine .

Yes carly, I have a real heavy stretcher. It is a homemade one of heavy houseframing timber. Now all I need to do is the painting.

Thankyou Lori for the multiple stretching technique, I think the hot water had a lot to do with it. It seemed to break down the resistance in the fibres. I hadn't used hot water before.

Thanks to all for finding a solution, :clap:

regards Pam

[pfontana]

i just tried this and it worked beautifully the first time. to make the process less messy, i left the hose out in the sun for a while, so when i sprayed it the water was hot right out of the nozzle.