How to create rustic string art on cork
I had a go at making string art using cork as a base this week. Below is a step-by-step tutorial and tips from what I learnt.
What you’ll need:
- Cork mat- Embroidery thread / embroidery floss
- Nails with a head
- Tape (PVC tape sticks well to cork)
- Scissors
- Thimble
- Tweezers
- Liquid glue
- Printed design template
If also painting the background:
- Acrylic paint
- Paint brush
- Tape
How to make your string art
1. If you’re painting the cork, tape it and paint it first. For tips on painting cork mats take a look at my tutorial on Painted Cork Mats.
2. Draw or print your template and stick it to the cork. I downloaded this free string art template with the word ‘home’ from here (no. 26 in article).
3. Start inserting your nails in the assigned spots. This is where the thimble comes in handy. If your template isn’t specific for string art, insert the nails at equal intervals. If possible, space them at least 5mm apart. Mine turned out a little too close as I had reduced the original design’s dimensions to fit my cork mat. It’s just more tricky to get the string around the nails if they are too close together. Also, make sure the nails are pushed far enough into the cork that they don’t wobble.
A note on choosing nails: make sure they have a decent head to them otherwise your thread will slip off.
4. Once your template has been outlined with the nails, carefully pull the paper up and over the nails. If a few nails come off simply push them back into place.
5. Now it’s time to outline your design with a layer of string. Tie a double or triple knot around the nail where you would like to begin and start looping the string around each nail once until you’ve come back to your original nail. If the nails are very close together like mine were, it’s easier to hold each nail with tweezers as you loop the string around it. When you get back to your first nail, tie the string a few times and cut it off. Don’t worry if the end sticks out a little. This can usually be hidden in amongst the string that will fill your design. To avoid it unravelling, you can dab the end with some liquid glue.
6. Now comes the most therapeutic part! Tie 2-3 knots around a nail (preferably not the nail that you used to start and end your outine. You don’t want to draw too much attention to it.) and start making asymmetrical zig-zag shapes anywhere and any way your heart desires! You can loop straight around the nails or loop and cross the string. There are no rules! Now is also a good time to fix imperfections by drawing crooked nails in the right direction with the string. Again, as you need to or when you are done, tie and cut off thread as before.
If you’re using variegated thread (a fancy word for thread that’s dyed different colours) like the yellow-white one I had, just remember to roughly match the colour in the pattern in any places where you tie off and restart.
