Clean floor.
Place canvas on floor.
Place stretcher over canvas - back of frame facing up.
Trim canvas.
NOTE: You want the canvas to wrap up and around the frame - so cut about 5 inches out from frame. It is better to have too much canvas, than not enough. You might need to go back in and trim the fabric a few more times while working.
First you need to secure the canvas onto the frame. This will allow you to check your canvas size and adjust if needed. Begin by attaching about three staples in the middle of a side (see #1 in photo above). Then walk over to the opposite side (see #2 in photo above), and tug the canvas over the edge, and attach about three staples on that side.
Now go to the top of the canvas (#3 below) and secure a few staples.
Walk to the opposite end (#4 below) and secure a few more staples.
You've now established your pattern: a few staples get attached side --> side --> top --> bottom ... repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat.
However, before you start again - grab your canvas pliers, as shown below.
When we are finished, we want the canvas to be pulled very tight. Canvas pliers will significantly help you strengthen your pull. Basically you just grab the fabric with the pliers, rest the back of the pliers onto the frame, and pull the canvas up and over - while pulling tight, plug in a staple.
With pliers in hand, attach about 6 - 8 staples on each side of the staples you have already attached - pulling the canvas tight with the pliers for each staple (see #6 below).
Then walk to the other side of the canvas, and attach about 6 - 8 staples on each side of the staples you have already attached - pulling the canvas tight with pliers for each staple (see #7 below).
Continue this pattern until you get to the last four inches on each side. You may need to go around more than what the diagram indicates below - depends on the size of your canvas.
This photo is showing you how close each staple is.
As mentioned already, do not put staples all the way to the end of the frame - stop when you have about 3 - 4" of space left. We need some space to stuff the corners into the end and give the canvas a nice finished look. (See next post).
