I have a piece of embroidery (cross stitch to be precise) that needs to be nicely framed, but I am not sure where to start with my search.
Does anyone know how to go about this?
I wouldn't have thought this is something I can do myself as the framing and glass would have to be "packed out" so that the glass doesn't sit straight on top of the fabric (there is some beading on it too), and also I am not sure how to get it nice and straight without the fabric stretching out of shape
We have one framing shop that I know of in Fribourg, but I have no idea what vocab (french) to use to ask, and their shop is just fill of photos, prints and paintings....
Time is (slightly) of the essence because the person who did the cross stitch for me is coming to visit in about 6 weeks and will no doubt be wondering where it is (still rolled up carefully in the tissue paper it was given to me in is probably not what they are imagining )
Lastly, is this going to break the bank?
Thanks!
Have you looked in IKEA? They have deep frames, but smallish.
Well the way I have prepared embroidery for framing is to stretch it/tension it tight across the desired size of hardboard.
Basically fold it over a piece of hardboard like a neat parcel with at least 3cm overlap on the reverse side. Pay attention to th corners, so that they are unbulky as possible. Overstich/blanket stitch the edges of the fabric (if this has not already been done).
Using a strong thread, zig zag backwards and forwards on the reverse side so each side is tensioned against the opposite. Rather like long laces on a shoe if you like. Its kind of hard to explain but not so hard to do! I generally find that to get the embroidery perfectly centred and not unduly pulled in any direction, you need to do a first loose zig zag of 2 sides (so as to fix the fabric in place if you like) then you can work to the correct tension zig zagging the next 2 sides, then redo the first 2, also to the correct, final, tension. This makes it easier as the fabric is not sliding all over the place as you do it. Constantly check the front because it is easy to pull it slightly out of alignment.
Once you have mounted it in this way you can then either present it to a framer as you would any other item to be framed or try to find a suitable frame of your own. Never taken anything to be professionally framed in CH but I sort of imagine that whilst it won't be cheap, they will do a thoroughly good job.
PS I also imagine a good framer would mount the embroidery ready for framing but you would need to enquire.
Thanks ecb - this is what I thought would need to be done....seems quite complicated.
I think I will just try and find a day when I can take it into the framers and point, mime, and muddle my way through and see if I can get my questions across
Would try mounting it myself and finding a frame, but with not so much time and the fact that the person who did it is coming to visit (and laboured for months over it!), I need it to look half decent.
Ta!
I haven't done this in CH but used to do in the U.S. all the time. Unless you have a lot or large beads, a normal frame will do just fine. You can probably buy one at any larger Coop or Migros store. Choose a frame that is larger than your design - leaving at least a half inch of open Aida cloth all the way around to make it visually pleasing.
Before framing, I like to keep the stitches from unraveling. I use iron-on interfacing. I assume you can get that here in any fabric store. Google calls it Eisen-Schnittstelle. Just don't press hard or you will flatten the stitches and possibly melt the beads. It's not necessary, just something I like to do.
Stretch the fabric across the cardboard backing and trim the edges so there's not too much bulk. Once it's centered/straight, I just use painter's tape (the blue stuff) to keep the fabric in place. None of that fancy stitching for me!
I am pretty sure that the haberdashery I mentioned in this thread also sold framing materials for embroidered work:
Closing down sale - 50% reductions knitting, sewing, other craft materials (Lausanne)
But it closes tomorrow, so I don't know if anything will be left!
Another place to ask is the yarn shop on Grand-Rue in Fribourg (about halfway down the street on the left when you are going towards the basse ville).
Otherwise, I'd be happy to go to to the framing shop with you one of these days if you need a translator.
Gosh, you are a crafty bunch
You make it sound so simple that I think I will give it a go myself with a cheap frame and see what it turns out like....then if the results are dodgy looking I will put my big-girl pants on and head off to the framers.
Thanks again
Gosh look at this
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=2gTTS...%3D2gTTSzYigmA
It just gets easier and easier! Once you got the frame and the thick board backing, this looks a real doddle!!!
I reckon you could knock this off this afternoon. I'll be back after tea expexcting a photo of the results
Is it already washed and pressed ?
If it's colour-fast, then you can wet it and iron it from the back, with a towel underneath, and that will push the stitching and beading out and make it sit nicely. Whatever you do, don't iron the front side!
You can also stretch it gently into shape - but the craftsperson who made it, may have already done this...
Framing is quite easy. You need a frame with a 'mat' - a square piece around the edges. Ikea definitely have some like this...