School of Decorating

Decorate with Confidence and Create a Home You Love

  • Free Class
  • Videos
  • Blog
    • How to Decorate
    • Simple DIY Projects
    • Life Tips
    • Success Stories
    • Our Home Tour
  • Classes
  • About
  • Contact

Decorative Canvas Edges {Tutorial}

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, on purchases made after following an affiliate link. See my full disclosure here.

November 3, 2011 By Jackie

Canvas Art with Decorative paper edges

I want to show you a super easy way to decorate the edges of canvas art.  I gave my family silhouette art a gilded edge effect with this method.  I love how the canvases seem to pop off the wall.  Plus, the edges are a great place to take a fun risk that will be noticeable, but not overwhelming.

Handmade Wrapping Paper GoldSupplies: Decorative paper, scissors or xacto knife, glue, and canvas or board.

For handmade paper, you may need to square up the paper and cut off uneven edges first.

Cut strips of decorative paper into strips.  

Measure the depth of your canvas or board.  My canvases have 7/8″ deep edges. Cut paper strips just wide enough to cover the edges and long enough to extend 1/2″ on each side of the canvas.  For example, for each of my 18 x 18″ canvases, I cut 4 strips at 7/8′ wide and 19″ long.

Apply glue to one edge of the canvas.  I used a simple Elmer’s glue stick that goes on purple and dries clear.  I find the glue stick is a nice, clean way to apply the glue without having to worry about drips on your canvas.

Apply the decorative paper strip to the glue.  

Position the strip so it hangs over the ends of the canvas by 1/2″ on each side.  Apply glue to the 1/2″ tabs that stick out and smooth them onto the sides of the canvas.  Repeat for the opposite side of the canvas.

Now, repeat glue and paper on the remaining two sides.  

The overhang on these sides will overlap with the strips you already applied.  Note: It may be helpful to think about how your canvas will hang, to determine the best place for the seams.  They are barely noticeable depending on the paper.  I decided I preferred the seams on the top and bottom of the canvas instead of the sides.

Definitely look for a paper that coordinates or compliments your art.  I used a handmade decorative paper with a gold sheen and mod print, which I found at Blick Art Supply.  I simply adore the gold edges against my teal walls.  I also think the gold looks stunning with the chartreuse green I used for the silhouettes.

Canvas Art with Decorative paper edges

P.S. You could also use ribbon for a similar effect.  Choose a ribbon the same width as the depth of your canvas.  Start at one corner and glue the ribbon continuously all the way around the canvas edges.  Overlap the end of the ribbon with the beginning on the least noticeable side of the canvas when hung.

 

Previous Post
Round Mirror with Leather Strap {Tutorial}
Next Post
DIY Mercury Glass

Comments

  1. Knit-2-Together says

    November 3, 2011 at 8:43 am

    Wow I would never have thought of decorating the edges! I love this look! Thanks for sharing!

  2. sherry says

    November 3, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    I’ve never heard of that before. Definitely cheaper than buying a frame. Appreciate the tutorial.

  3. Lisa says

    November 5, 2011 at 9:21 pm

    I’m loving this idea. I’m going to be covering canvas frames with plain fabric for above my couch and it would look great to cover the sides with a patterned fabric. Very cool!!!

  4. Jodie says

    January 2, 2013 at 11:17 am

    I love your idea Jackie.

Hi, I'm Jackie. I believe you are the best person to decorate your home and I'm here to help.

I teach online decorating classes to help you create your dream home. Click on the images below to learn more about each class.

Take an Online Decorating Class

Best for beginners!

12 Class Bundle!

Get a free copy of my book
Free Decorating


Start reading now...

Follow Me Here

Categories

  • How to Decorate
  • Simple DIY Projects
  • Life Tips
  • Success Stories
  • Our Home Tour
I believe you are the best person to decorate your home. You just need a dash of courage and a dose of decorating know-how. That's why I created School of Decorating.

I know how frustrating it is to feel like failure at home. I also know how amazing it feels when decorating finally makes sense and your home reflects you. I want to share what I've learned so you can create a home you love without years of trial and error.

Get a free copy of my best-selling book Free Decorating

  • How to Decorate
  • Simple DIY Projects
  • Life Tips
  • Success Stories
  • Our Home Tour

© 2018 School of Decorating
 · Terms of Use 
· Privacy Policy
 · Disclaimer




This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.

Necessary Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.