cheapest framing options

[babyfairie]

I'm really sad at the moment because I've just realized that I probably won't ever be able to afford to frame any of the things I've made because I have no left over money at the end of each month, and I've gotten so lucky that people have sent me stuff and all of that and I have a friend here who might be willing to help me pay to get my current project framed as a sort of Christmas present if we can figure out how cheap the cheapest option is so anybody having any ideas for me would be wonderful and knowing about how much they are etc.

[pattiebelle]

How big is it?

Some things look really nice in a wooden hoop that's used for embroidery.

Be sure to check out our tips thread on finishes, not everything has to be framed.

I know you'll find the perfect solution.

[babyfairie]

it is 14 by 18 inches, so not sure what else i would do with it exactly but maybe others can help me find ideas for finishing it

[richardandtracy]

Treat as a tapestry. Sew a loop at the top & bottom of the fabric and put a dowel rod through.

If you scavenge some pallets & have enough time, you will be able to carve some nice hanging rods for nothing using a penknife only. I have used several hundred pallets at home for all sorts of timber usage. Go out looking for rubbish at the sides of the road, and look at it as a resource for raw material for doing things. When you do that you'll be amazed at what you can do. It will take time - but then you're used to spending time, a cross stitch picture doesn't happen instantly.

Alternatively make a frame from pallet timbers themselves. People pay good money for 'distressed timber' frames that look exactly like pallet timbers. Some pallets have really nice hardwood timbers with gorgeous colours. The matte around the picture can be cardboard from boxes with coloured paper stuck to it, or white paper with a coloured wash from ink or teabags or coffee grounds. The glass - how many people change windows near you? Keep an eye out for people with greenhouses they're taking down, or replacement windows. All this lot will have glass you could use. The frame can be held together using the nails that held the pallet together. If you do not have a wrecking bar (crowbar in the UK), handsaw and hammer, borrow one from someone who does. There is no need for reasonably attractive frames to cost a penny. It will take you to put in some effort, though.

I have used pallets for the following things at home:

1. Window wall on my workshop
2. Benches in my workshop
3. Edging for vegetable beds.
4. Supports for runner beans, blackberries & raspberries.
5. Frame to support netting around my cherry tree.
6. Bird table.
7. Garden Benches x 3
8. Picture frames x 2
9. 190ft of book shelves
10. Book case
11. Built in cupboard in bathroom
12. Wellington Boot (Rubber Boot) rack
13. 200kg swl A frame crane (tested to 400kg before use)
14. 3x garden tables
15. Window cills x 2
16. Very small window frame in granary.
17. Floor planking for mezzanine floor in granary.
18. Strong trollies to move machinery up to 200kg
19. All timber in a home made dingy
20. Shuttering while casting concrete.
21. Support A frames for chute when readymix concrete was delivered for a building project
22. Diagonal braces in a treehouse. The rest of the treehouse used decking that someone gave us.

I'm sure I've forgotten some applications.
Some pallets are topped with plywood. These can be used to stretch the picture and/or be used as a support for the picture frame.
The only wood I have bought in the last 10 years has been for roof joists in a building we put up, and I think we've used more than a ton of timber in that time.

So, with a bit of ingenuity, time and effort anything can be made for almost nothing.

Regards,

Richard.

[DahliaDoll]

Congratulations on finishing a large project.

My advice is to find a nice large framed picture at a second-hand store and use that.

[evelyn joan]

I scour the local Charity shops for frames,I have quite a lot now, all sizes, old & modern.
They are usually quite cheap even for very large ones,& many come with mounts.

Joan.

[fccs]

Framing can be expensive, definitely, but like others have said, you can often find frames at thrift shops. The frame doesn't have to be fancy. And I think the idea of making it into a wall hanging is a good one. That's probably the least expensive way to finish. I think if you poke around here a bit you'll find lots of examples of wall hanging finishing.

And don't let the fact that you might not be able to afford framing put you off from stitching. I have lots of pieces that are tucked away in a box. If I ever get them framed, cool. If not, no big deal because for me the true joy is from the stitching itself.

[NeedleAndFork]

Framing can get expensive! Or it can work out pretty cheap if you use a bit of creativity. Hit up thrift stores and seeif they have any frames of the right size for what you want to frame. Ugly colors or patterns are irrelevant. You can paint them, sand them, decorate them, whatever.. find ways to change the way they look completely for just a couple of dollars. What you're after is a frame that you can use as a base to start from. Someimes you might have to scavange parts from a couple of different frames.. maybe you like one frame as a starting point but it has no glass, and another one does. The thrift store I volunteer at gets a lot of really ugly artwork in really ugly frames that have a corner that's slightly dinged up or loose. A bit of wood glue would take care of that and coat of paint would turn some ugly fake guilded chipping frame into something sleek.

Watch youtube videous on how to lace your needlework onto a backing yourself.. It's not hard to do, just slow painstaking work. But since you've already stitched a large piece, it means you're the patient type who knows that good stuff is worth taking the time for.

The idea of a tapestry is a good one too though.. sew it onto a backing, make pockets for rods at the top and bottom and purchase wooden dowel from the hardware store along with a small tin of whatever finish you want and you should be able to make a hanging out of it for under $5. Don't bother buying expensive fabric for the backing - hit a thrift store and look for sheets, pillwcases, etc.. or even items of clothing that have panels large enough - a dress for example. I do that quite a bit since thethrift store I go to has clothing for $1 a piece and $5 a bag of however much I can stuff into it.

[pattiebelle]

Wow, you got some really great ideas! You're gonna have sooooo much FUN doing this! -woohoo-