Measure the walkway to be covered by the canopy. Add four inches to the width and four inches to the length for seam allowance and to extend slightly beyond the walkway. Cut the canvas to the dimensions.
Fit your sewing machine with a heavy duty denim needle and thread the machine with machine quilting thread in the same color as your canvas. Sew a 1 inch hem all the way around the edge of the canvas. It may help to press the hem in place before stitching it. You could also use straight pins to hold the heavy canvas in place while you sew.
Install grommets at each corner of your canvas canopy. Additionally, install grommets about every 4 feet along the length of the canvas. The grommets will reinforce the canvas so it will not tear where it is propped up by poles.
Lay the canvas over the walkway and use a dowel to make an impression in the ground where the grommets fall. Insert the wooden or bamboo poles into these impressions in the ground. Sink the poles down at least 8 inches for stability. If the canopy is to remain in place permanently, use a post hole digger to dig wider holes and pour cement into the holes before inserting the wooden or bamboo poles.
Slip the grommets over the tops of the poles. If the canvas sags or if the poles begin to lean, tie a rope through each corner grommet and stake it to the ground with tent stakes to pull the canopy taut.