Hello All,
I'm new to this forum and I am searching for an easy way to remove a mounted cross stitch piece from a matte board without damaging the work or stretching and misshaping the fabric. By mounted I mean that it was affixed with adhesive mounting spray.
I'm very leary about it, because it's not my work. The lady has long since passed on and it was a gift to a friend who knows I cross stitch. I'm not well-versed and don't know the terminology, so bare with me. I love to cross stitch and I would love to fix this for her, but I don't want to destroy a family heirloom. Please help. Thank you in advance for your time and attention.
GreyLady wrote:Hello All,
I'm new to this forum and I am searching for an easy way to remove a mounted cross stitch piece from a matte board without damaging the work or stretching and misshaping the fabric. By mounted I mean that it was affixed with adhesive mounting spray.
I'm very leary about it, because it's not my work. The lady has long since passed on and it was a gift to a friend who knows I cross stitch. I'm not well-versed and don't know the terminology, so bare with me. I love to cross stitch and I would love to fix this for her, but I don't want to destroy a family heirloom. Please help. Thank you in advance for your time and attention.
Give me a moment, please, while I shudder and grimace at the thought of adhesive spray touching the xstitch piece.
Okay, I've never done this because I never use sticky board or adhesive spray, BUT the sticky spray is probably a rubber cement. Have you tried peeling back a corner to see how easy it releases from the board? It might not be affixed as firmly as you think. If it releases easily, just gently peel it off. Don't pull out, pull it down and kinda roll it off the board. If it doesn't release, I'm not sure what advice to give you. Wetting it might help, but I'm afraid wetting the adhesive would cause it to stain the fabric and threads. It the piece is framed with a mat, you have a little room to try different approaches and if they don't work, they'll be covered by the mat.
I would leave it alone ..As it could disintergrate as you touch it ..And any tweaks you do on it will show possible worse that the thing you are trying to correct
I agree with Reta that trying to correct mistakes is probably a bad idea. Repairing any stitched textile is work for experts. I don't know where you are in the world, but in your position, I'd take advice from the Royal School of Needlework or the American Embroiderers' Guild. Find out if there is a group near you akin to the Durham Cathedral Broderers -- a professional group -- and ask advice. Given the piece has been in this state for a while, a bit more time is unlikely to make a difference.
Give me a moment, please, while I shudder and grimace at the thought of adhesive spray touching the xstitch piece. 
