Stretching Canvas
The actual process of stretching begins in the middle of each side of the canvas. Place your canvas down on the table. Put the stretcher face down on top of the canvas. Fold the canvas over, onto the back of the stretcher. Put about three staples in the middle back of one side, and then directly across from that side (into the middle). Pull the canvas hand tight - don't let it sag. Then three staples in the third side and finally three in the fourth side.Now you should have the middles of each side stapled. Do not go around in a circle - I think you will have trouble getting the canvas straight and getting it tight as well.
Continue this process, working a little at a time, from the middles, keeping the kinks, creases, etc out, until you get almost to the ends. Then, fold each end, like you are wrapping a Christmas package. If you fold "inside" you can make the edge disappear. It is hard to describe in words, but it is just like the package wrapping, except that the final fold goes to the inside, like it is a little pocket. If you experiment, you will see what I mean. You may have to use a few staples extra on the back of the stretcher, to get everything nice and tight, without any wrinkles.
