Needle Works in Austin, Texas has decided to address the difficulty of getting stretcher bars by using 3-D printed versions.
These are plastic but it's easy to push in thumbtacks or staples. Once you finish your project, yank out the staples/tacks and put them away. These are the same width as regular stretcher bars. Just like the wooden version, you can reuse them over and over again. NWKS says they are sturdy and available in white, teal blue or beige plastic. The shop is working to have the size printed on them, too. They also say you can mix them with wooden stretcher bars in case you have a pair of 9 inchers but need 7 inchers for that 7x9 inch canvas. You cannot mix the 3-D printed bars with mini stretcher bars, though. The 3-D ones are the width of regular stretcher bars. They cost between $6-8 for a pair of two.
These are not online yet but call or email the shop to order. Kudos to the folks in Texas for coming up with a unique solution to the shortage of traditional wooden stretcher bars.
UPDATE: Sara Leigh at Rain City Needlepoint gives a review of the 3-D printed stretcher bars they stock in the shop.
UPDATE #2: Daleen on Facebook uses stretcher strips from Hobby Lobby. These are used by artists to frame their canvas for oil painting. They are MUCH wider than stretcher bars but they are also much cheaper.
Written by Jane/Chilly HollowBlogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 29, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
