What is the difference between perforated plastic and plastic canvas?

I can understand why you are confused, and I suspect many other cross-stitchers are also confused. Perforated plastic and plastic canvas are indeed different. The difficulty lies with the fact that some manufacturers of perforated plastic are labeling their packaging “perforated plastic canvas”.

Plastic canvas is similar to needlepoint canvas (a dreaded word to some cross-stitchers). It has square holes and come in several sizes. Perforated plastic is very similar to perforated paper – it has round holes and, to my knowledge, is available in only one gauge (14-count). Both are now available in a variety of colors.

You may use perforated plastic in any of the projects calling for perforated paper. In addition, you may wish to change some projects from fabric or perforated paper to perforated plastic because it has both the stiffness of paper (great for pins, ornaments, etc.) and the durability of fabric (does not rip and break like paper – will not be destroyed by water like paper). As on perforated paper, you cannot make quarter stitches on perforated plastic.

Be careful and observant in choosing the product upon which you are going to stitch – look at what is in the package, not just the label on it – and you should have a lot of fun with perforated plastic.

Information from Cross Country Stitching Magazine columns "Ask Judie" - Judie Solomon, Thistle Needleworks & "Carol’s Crafty Corner" - Carol Rice, The Craft Menagerie

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