Michaels and framing...

[Corey.G]

Has anyone had their cross stitch framed at michaels? After I do my next project I want it to be framed and I want to get it done at michaels. Do they lace it? Do they just staple it?...... I've never gotten one professionally framed.

[Rose]

I have had them do a few pieces for me but I won't have do anymore unless I am forced to. They are way more expensive then the local framer and that is with all of their fake 40, 50 and 60% off sales. They have never laced any of my pictures. They are just framed as a regular picture would be. The last one they did for me was crooked and when I mentioned to them that it was not acceptable they got pretty up-set. When I went back to pick it up they were going to re-charge me. i had my receipt and the manager had to be called to get it right.

If you have any choice i would say find a real framer for your work.

[ohstitcher]

I have never used Michael's. I have used Joann's and Hobby Lobby and both times I was very pleased with what they did. We used to have a place called framers workshop where you could do your own or have them do the framing for you and I had several pieces done there that were absolutely beautiful. Another idea is you may want to contact your local art store there may be someone there that does framing. Also some of my local LNS have framers onsite too. Not sure how expensive that would be but it might be worth a try.
There is also someone that frames absolutely georgous work and I can't think of her name right now but I have seen some of her work on the HAED site and what she does is fabulous, off to see what her name is.......
Jill Rensel. Look her up on the web, you send her your work she does her majic and voila you have a beautifully done piece. I have heard that she isn't any more expensive than Joann's or Hobby Lobby.
Good luck

[Corey.G]

Another idea is you may want to contact your local art store there may be someone there that does framing.

That's the thing. I don't have a craft store in my city (closest one is 5 hour drive away) but there is a framers. Problem is, I'm in a city where a lot of people make a logic money for regular jobs. So that leads to people doing half-assed jobs on most things, and they still get paid good. And I doubt in a town with no crafts that they've framed cross stitch.

I think I'm going to have to take a look in Edmonton (that 5 hour drive, but I'm used to that by now) and see what I can find.

I have looked at jill's site but she's far down in California and I'm far far northern Alberta. I think I'd pay more for shipping and you never know when something could get stuck in customs. Too bad though, she has nice work.

[caitief]

I know someone complained about Michaels..but with Michaels it all depends on WHO you get. There are 4 Michaels within 20 miles of us, two do an okay job, but two are FANTASTIC. Some people who work there really know how to do cross stitch projects, they stretch them, center it perfectly, and do a terrific job!

My best advice is to ask around or look for reviews for that specific Michaels, or go in and ask questions.

[Ketta]

Ditto what caitief said. Where I used to live, the Michael's was great for framing. They had competition from other craft stores and a framing business, and the crew they had was fabulous. Even when they couldn't help me, they helpfully pointed out the best place to go.

Now though, I live in a proper city (yuck), and conveniently have a Michael's right across the street. Very few people who work there know much about crafts, there are always lines, rarely can you find someone to help you on the floor, the people who work behind the floral counter are snobby b**ches, and the framing crew says they will frame cross stitch projects but don't have much experience with them. I asked them once, after they'd framed some artwork, if they'd fix it (it was crooked), and just like with Rose, they said they would but I'd be charged for it. I also had to get a manager person to override them, as to me it was ridiculous for me to pay for their lack of doing even a half-a**ed job.

Yeah, I don't like them much. All I ever buy there now is embroidery floss since it's cheap.

[kathryn]

I've only had one of my pieces framed, but I must say it came out quite nicely and it was done at Micheal's. Having said that it was a teeny tiny VERY expensive piece. It was a Haed sk (bookmark) 2x8 roughly and it cost 70$.
Mother had one framed by them a few years ago, I don't know if they lace or staple, but I do know they stretched it. They were a little concerned, solid stitching on the bottom, not on top, were worried about distortion. I must say they did a gorgeous job on that one too. Again super expensive. This one was like 30x20? (I'm guessing on the size, but it was a big one)

[Pengwenn]

I've only gotten my stuff framed at Michael's and Joanne's. Michael's was a little more expensive than Joanne's but Joanne's didn't frame something in the right wood that I picked out. It still looked great it just wasn't what I wanted. Unfortunately it was also a last minute gift and I didn't have the time to get it redone.

I've never had a problem with Michael's and I don't know how they do the backs. I do know that they're a stickler for the size (at least the stores in my area). If the finished size of a project says it's 8x10 they will still measure it and they might come up with 7.89 x 10.02 and that's the size they'll use. Because those numbers aren't standard mat size they charge extra for the "special" cut.

Also their minimum frame size is 6x6 inches. I had a 5x7 project I wanted frame without a mat and they wouldn't do it. I ended up buying a mat for it so it would be larger so they would do it. I could have used a regular sized frame (5x7 is a standard size) but there was a very specific look I wanted and I couldn't find it in finished frames. I ended up paying more than I wanted to because of that, but the finished project was exactly what I wanted.

[kathryn]

it must be different where I am since they framed a piece of mine that was considerably smaller. (2x7) was the stitched area.

[Corey.G]

Sounds like the best thing to do is to try it out and see how I like it. Although it won't be for a while, I'm wanted to get reviews before going with michaels. I still don't even have the fabric to start the project I'm going to get framed. Lol.