MATERIALS & TOOLS

Let’s get familiar with some of the materials and tools you will need to make string art. Some of these you probably have around the house.

  1. String. Use craft string, embroidery floss, or crochet thread. For larger projects, it is much easier to work with a spool of crochet thread than to start and stop each time you run out of smaller amounts. DMC is the largest manufacturer of embroidery floss and commonly seen as the industry standard in colors (dmc-usa.com). This book’s projects reference the DMC numbers, if you wish to use the same colors shown. Your local craft store should have a DMC chart with numbers and their equivalents in other brands. I commonly use the brand Sullivans, as it’s what my nearest store carries.

    Always buy more string than you think you’ll need—it’s relatively inexpensive and beats another trip to the store mid-project.

  2. Wood. To make the stringing surface, I like to cut different lengths from 1" (2.5cm) thick pine boards that are 8" (20.5cm), 10" (25.5cm) and 12" (30.5cm) wide. Each project will specify further.

    You can also purchase wood boards, round wood cuts, and beveled shapes at your local craft store. These usually come unfinished, giving you design freedom.

  3. Saw. This is for cutting your wood to size. Or, most hardware stores will cut the wood for you to any length you need.

  4. Sandpaper/electric sander. Before staining or painting your surface, you will need to sand it with medium-grit (120) and fine-grit (220) sandpapers. This can be done by hand or with an electric sander.

  5. Stain or paint. You can either paint your board or use an oil-based or water-based wood stain, both which come in a variety of colors. Keep in mind that oil-based stain will take at least twenty-four hours to dry. Water-based stain dries quickly enough that you can seal your project shortly after staining.
  6. Paint brushes. Disposable foam brushes work well, or use any brushes you prefer for applying stain, paint, and sealer.

  7. Clear top coat. I prefer a water-based seal, such as Minwax Polycrylic. It has far less fumes and makes cleanup a lot easier.

  8. Nails. My favorite by far are 5⁄8" (1.6cm) silver nails (#18 × 5⁄8" [1.6cm]). The choice is yours—just be sure their heads are large enough to catch and hold the string.
  9. Hammer. You don’t need one too big and heavy; a medium- to lightweight hammer is fine.
  10. Needle-nose pliers. These come in handy for working in areas your fingers have trouble reaching, as well as removing bits of the paper pattern from the nails.
  11. Picture-hanging hardware. Sawtooth hangers are perfect; kits are available at any hardware store.
  12. Felt furniture pads. These will help your art sit flush to the wall, as the sawtooth hanger tends to make it stick out a bit.
  13. Push pins. These are used to help apply some of the nail patterns.
  14. Superglue. This you will use to seal and secure the string knots. I prefer Loctite Super Glue, though other brands and even clear nail polish will also work.
  15. Tape. Use standard transparent tape for taping down your pattern for applying nails. Painter’s tape is optional when making nail borders.
  16. Scissors. The sharper the better!
  17. Ruler. For pattern placement and making straight lines.

  18. Photocopy of the pattern. Enlargement percentages are provided for each project.