How to Make a Reverse Canvas with Cricut: A Guide to Making The Hottest Home Decor Trend Easily with your Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, or perhaps are new to the crafting world, you must’ve seen the reverse canvas trend that is happening everywhere.  It has roots in the rustic farmhouse world, but it can easily be transformed to match any decor. So if you are wondering how to make a reverse canvas for yourself, keep reading, because I have all of the info including the supplies you will need and some fantastic ideas for inspiration.

How to Make a Reverse Canvas: Supplies

The list of supplies is pretty short, but can vary depending on your finished product.  Here are a few of the supplies that are most commonly used when making a reverse canvas with your Cricut machine:

1.A canvas:  This can be whatever size you want, but it needs to be the stretched type that is pulled over a wooden frame and stapled, not the canvas panels. You can find really great deals on multipacks listed on Amazon.

2. A craft knife: This is used to cut the canvas from the frame. (My new favourite is the True Control knife from Cricut – the blade doesn’t shake or come loose, and you don’t have to touch the blade to change it. You can grab one for yourself here.)

3. Iron on vinyl: There are so many types of iron on, but here are a few of my favourites:

• foil iron on (gives a metallic finish, and is available in both matte and shiny finishes)
• solid colour iron on (available in a wide range of colours)
• glitter iron on (for a touch of sparkle)
• patterned iron on (a pattern instead of a solid colour)
• premade designs (available in two sizes, and come in a wide variety of designs and styles)

You can view all of Cricut’s iron on styles and designs here.

EasyPress: Makes the application of the iron on to the canvas fabric really easy.

Paint or stain: If you wish to colour the wooden frame.

Hot glue gun or hardware stapler: To reattach the canvas to the frame.

How to Make a Reverse Canvas: The Process

Making a reverse canvas is really easy, which is why it has become such a popular item in home decor. Plus all of the supplies are relatively inexpensive for a finished piece of custom art.

To start, cut the canvas from the frame using a craft knife.  If you have a staple remover, you can pull the staples out instead of slicing the canvas, but I find it easier to just cut the canvas.

Next, decide what you would like on your canvas, making sure that your design fits within the frame of your canvas. (I will share a bunch of great examples below if you need ideas.) Cut it out of iron on material using your Cricut Explore, Cricut Maker, or other cutting machine. You can also choose to use Cricut’s premade iron on designs, which make this project even faster to complete!

While your design is cutting, you can paint or stain the frame, if desired to give it a completely custom look and to perfectly match your home decor.

Align your project on your canvas and use the EasyPress to adhere it.  Make sure to follow the EasyPress setting for your specific type of material. (You can find all of the EasyPress settings here.)

Once your design is adhered, use a hot glue gun to glue the canvas back onto the back of the wooden frame.  You can also staple it on if you have a hardware stapler. If there is fabric hanging over, use a craft knife to cut it down to size.

The last step is to hang and admire your handiwork!

How to Make a Reverse Canvas : Ideas for Reverse Canvases

If you need some ideas for reverse canvases that you would like to make, here are some of my favourites:

Reverse Canvases Made with Iron-on

Camper Reverse Canvas – Liz on Call

Welcome Reverse Canvas – Coastal Kelder

Family is Forever Reverse Canvas – GYCT Designs

Follow Your Dreams Reverse Canvas – 5 Little Monsters

Farm Animals Reverse Canvas – Weekend Craft

Farmhouse Reverse Canvas – Brooklyn Berry Designs

Together is our Favourite Place – Country Chic Cottage

Fresh Flowers Reverse Canvas – Where the Smiles Have Been

Reverse Canvases Made with Cricut’s Premade Designs:

Floral Design Reverse Canvas – Laura’s Crafty Life

Ampersand Reverse Canvas – Crafting in the Rain

Reverse Canvas with Love Design – see Lindsay

Which one would you love to tackle first? Or, is there a premade design you would love to use in your home?  Comment below and let me know which is your favourite, and tag me on instagram (@simplycraftedlife) with all of your reverse canvas projects! I love to be inspired by everything you create.