All About the Plastic Canvas Dollhouse
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
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My Introduction to Plastic Canvas
A couple of years ago, I was suddenly hit with a vivid memory of playing with what I remembered as a needlepoint dollhouse at my grandma's house when I was growing up. It was my absolute FAVORITE thing to play with, and I just loved that little dollhouse so much. When the memory struck, I was overcome with an overwhelming urge to recreate it. I called my mom to ask if she remembered it, and while she did, all she could recall was that my grandma had made it. She didn’t have any details about the pattern, the medium, or where to even find something like that.
I took to the internet and was absolutely blown away when I found the original plastic canvas pattern on eBay. I purchased it in a heartbeat and set out to recreate the dollhouse as a Christmas present for my niece. I documented the journey online, and to my surprise, the dollhouse became so popular that I ended up working with the publisher to make the pattern available again through their website.
I was recently tagged in a post online about a plastic canvas Barbie furniture set, and since then, there’s been a big resurgence of interest in the plastic canvas dollhouse I made a few years ago. I figured it was high time I put all of the project information, most common questions, and my tips and tricks all in one place!
What is Plastic Canvas?
I like to think of plastic canvas as a type of 3D needlepoint, but instead of stitching on a fabric mesh, you work on (you guessed it) plastic canvas. Like needlepoint, you can use a wide variety of decorative stitches (sky’s the limit!), though continental stitches are the most common. While its 3D nature can look a little intimidating at first, it’s surprisingly straightforward and simple to get started with.
Tools and Materials
Here is everything you'll need to make the dollhouse:
This includes all of the instructions for assembly and stitch guides
Ultra stiff 7 mesh plastic canvas
I used standard plastic canvas for mine and while it worked out fine I would recommend using ultra stiff as it will prevent the floors and walls from sagging down the road
See color chart for details below
For outlining your shapes prior to cutting
There is a lot of cutting - spring loaded scissors will save your joints
For the detail cuts - cuticle nippers can also work in a pinch!
This is optional but HIGHLY recommended
For even more product recommendations, you can check out my Amazon storefront.
Color Chart
I was keeping this project a secret from my sister, and I wanted it to look EXACTLY like the one we grew up with. Because of that, I was extra intentional and specific when choosing the yarn colors. That said, both the colors I used and the ones suggested in the pattern are really just a suggestion—feel free to have fun with it! Maybe you want a pink roof, rainbow walls, or even a neon-green couch. Get creative and make it your own, the dollhouse will be just as magical no matter what palette you choose.
I used worsted weight yarn, but the pattern notes that you can also use rug or tapestry yarn. The yardage for most of the colors is very minimal, so keep in mind that if you purchase whole skeins of worsted weight yarn for each color, you’ll end up with A LOT of leftovers. For this reason, tapestry yarn may be preferable, especially for the colors that require only a small amount. All of the specific yarns I used are noted in the table below.
Pattern Color | Yarn Choice (all worsted weight) | Yardage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
White | 200 | ||
Beige | 24 | ||
Medium Brown | 75 | I used the same color for both Medium and Dark Brown | |
Dark Brown | 9 | I used the same color for both Medium and Dark Brown | |
Light Gray | 40 | ||
Dark Gray | 39 | ||
Black | 36 | ||
Orange | 13 | I used the color Carrot for the Orange in the Bedroom | |
Orange | 13 | I used the color Pumpkin for the Orange in the Kitchen | |
Antique Gold | 21 | The fire in the fireplace calls for this color; I added yellow, orange and red to the fire | |
Bright Red | 6 | ||
Brick Red | 42 | ||
Light Pink | 33 | ||
Dark Pink | 18 | ||
Light Blue | 14 | ||
Medium Blue | 50 | This yarn has been discontinued | |
Navy Blue | 2 | ||
Light Green | 24 | ||
Medium Green | 53 | I used a dark, army green color. I lost the original label and don't have the exact color/brand name. | |
Yellow | 95 |
Tips and Tricks
When working with plastic canvas, it’s almost always best to cut first and stitch second. That way, you don’t risk snipping into finished stitches and having to redo your work.
I like to use a whiteboard marker to outline shapes on the canvas before cutting. Once the pieces are cut, you can either leave the markings (they’ll usually be covered by stitches) or wipe them away with a damp cloth. If you’re using a permanent marker to make your lines, you can remove the lines with rubbing alcohol or non-acetone nail polish remover.
When cutting, make sure the edges are smooth with no leftover nubs, but be careful not to cut too deep into the plastic, which can cause a break or tear. Cuticle nippers or flush-cut pliers are especially helpful for getting into tight spaces to remove plastic bars, and trimming just a tiny bit off of sharp corners on the diagonal helps round out the edges for a cleaner finish.
When it comes to cutting, you’ll quickly realize it’s all about counting. Knowing exactly how many holes wide or tall your piece needs to be makes all the difference. Instead of squinting and counting each hole one by one, a plastic canvas hole counter is a total game changer - it makes measuring faster, easier, and way more accurate.
Pro tip: Always double-check your counts before cutting. A small miscount can save you a lot of frustration down the line!
Putting It All Together
For this dollhouse, I found it easiest to work room by room. I would cut, stitch, and assemble the room first, and then cut, stitch, and assemble the accessories for that room before moving on to the next. It’s really helpful to label each piece once it’s been cut so you’ll remember exactly what it is when you go to stitch it! I highly recommend stitching and assembling the accessories room by room instead of saving them all for the end. These can be tedious to put together, and having a huge stack waiting for you at the end is much harder to manage than working through them bit by bit.
The Gift of a Memory
Gifting this to my niece was such an incredibly special moment. Of course, the best part was my sister’s utter shock when she saw an exact replica of the beloved dollhouse we grew up playing with. She couldn’t even begin to understand how I had managed to recreate such an ultra-specific memory.
Project Inspiration
If you’re inspired to create the same dollhouse, please tag me on your socials—I’d love to see all of your amazing creations! In the meantime, you can watch my full plastic canvas dollhouse series from start to finish below. Have a question I didn’t cover above? Drop it in the comments, and I’ll be happy to help!
With love and creativity,
Jacquie
Atom Heart Cross Stitch
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