How do you frame?

[iMeme87]

Hi everyone,

I have a quick question. How do you all frame your work? I have always done little bookmarks and such and have never thought of framing before. But now I'm working on my largest project yet, Dimensions Rose Cuttings, i think its called. My mom is in love with it, and I'm almost done with it. Just the background and backstitching left to do. After seeing all of your completed frames work, I really want ro frame it for my mom.

I also always see Michaels and AC Moore % off framing coupons. Is framing that expensive that people need 60% off coupons to frame? Also, has anyone ever framed on their own? Would regular picture frames work? And lastly, when you go to the store to frame it, what do you need to do beforehand, and whT do you need to tell them or do there?

Sorry for all the questions everyone.

Thanks,
Meme

[MaggieM1750]

Even with a 60% off coupon at Michaels (which I don't consider an actual discount.. because their framing is _always_ 50-60% off, and you don't need a coupon, they just give you the "discount" automatically. Its just a sales gimmick) I think framing is expensive. Big crafty store like Michaels or a specialty mom and pop frame shop, I've found the price about the same. And given the choice between the two.. I'll support a small local business even if they are a little more expensive.

The last piece I had custom framed was about 9x12 and cost about $160.
Now that was with glass, an inset piece just inside the edge of the frame, and a double matte- one of them being a suede finish. And my piece had beading in it so she added spacers to make sure the beads weren't squished under the glass. So my framing wasn't just something she whipped together in 10 minutes.

I brought my piece to her cleaned and ironed- but thats it. She laced it on a frame before framing. And this framer is precise that your fabric is stretched evenly. I can follow a row of holes across an edge of the matte- and its even, all the way down. I wish I could afford for her to frame all my projects.. but I am still waiting for that money tree in my back yard to grow.

The pieces I have framed myself have just been stretched and stuck onto adhesive foam board and put into standard frames. I know.. I know.. I know.. many are shuddering at that thought. I know its not the way its supposed to be done. Archival integrity and that whole bit. But I don't care if my pieces won't be around in 100 years. Many of them won't be on a wall in 10 years. I don't do heirloom pieces to be handed down for generations. Its a tooth pillow, a holiday decoration, something for the baby's room.

[Athalie]

If you decide to frame it for yourself make sure you get a frame that is as deep as possible. My local print and framing shop sells special frames for stitchers. You have to remember that you are putting a double layer of fabric (the actual stitched piece and what wraps around the back of the backing board) the backing board and also that matt if you use one, so a normal photograph frame isn't deep enough for this. If you type -Framing needlework - into google it will come up with several sites with instructions. Framing in Australia is terribly expensive and I can't always get into a framing shop so I look at other ways of making my finishes up. I mostly make bell pulls these days, there are some lovely bell pull ends available and they look just as good.

[LastingAllure]

I go to a local mom and pop shop to get my framing done. We had my last finish Emerald Mermaid framed there and they were so awesome! They actually sent the piece down to Vancouver to one of their more experienced lacing friends since we didn't want a matte and the way they lace would have shown the thread they used which is normally hidden by a matte. It took about two weeks but we were REALLY happy with what we got in the end and it cost about $150 but that's with shipping it down to be done by someone more experienced and we got the non glare glass which is also pretty expensive. If it had been with a matte and normal glass would have cost roughly $60, which isn't bad at all considering its a custom frame job.

My advice to you though is if you want to test the waters for framing from a local shop is to take in a small project that you wouldn't be devastated if something were to go wrong. If you're happy with their work than I would trust them with the project for your mom

[dalronix]

... But I don't care if my pieces won't be around in 100 years. Many of them won't be on a wall in 10 years. I don't do heirloom pieces to be handed down for generations. ....

Over the last year or so I've been buying the occasional 'vintage' framed needlepoint on eBay if they have a name and date on the back.

Got one this week for $15 (they are usually always cheap and rarely sell) made by someone in 1985.

It's nice to be able to look at the work and wonder about the person who made it.

[Rose]

I must echo everything that Maggie has said. That is how I do mine. If it is a special gift I will take it to the local framing shop as they take great pride in there work and do a much better job then the Michael's stores can ever try to do. The 50 to 60 % off is a scam.

[dalronix]

None of probably want to hear this story, however:

Back in the early 80s when I started needlepoint for the first time, I took my first effort which had taken well over a year to stitch, into a well-known specialist tapestry supply and framing shop.

A week or two later they called me to say they'd lost the piece and all they did was offer a replacement canvas and wool skeins.

Something I've never forgotten and still hurts all these years later especially when I come across an ad for the shop which is still in business.

[karen4bells]

The pieces I have framed myself have just been stretched and stuck onto adhesive foam board and put into standard frames. I know.. I know.. I know.. many are shuddering at that thought. I know its not the way its supposed to be done. Archival integrity and that whole bit. But I don't care if my pieces won't be around in 100 years. Many of them won't be on a wall in 10 years. I don't do heirloom pieces to be handed down for generations. Its a tooth pillow, a holiday decoration, something for the baby's room.

I have always framed my own stitching, including ones that I have sent as gifts. I have some that are nearly 20 yrs old now and still look pretty impressive, if I must say so myself, and I do them pretty much exactly the same way that Maggie does.
Dalronix, that is a good reason for me to not want to take my work to a framer, I shudder at the thought of having it lost!!!

[Lori0]

I have framed a few myself and have taken a few into a local framing shop. I use fleece and mounting board (not the adhesive type). I wrap the board in fleece, cover with my sewn fabric and lace the back. Very time consuming but less expensive. The few times I did go to the framing shop, I wrote up an agreement, stating that if the item dea was damaged or lost they would agree to pay X amount of money for the cost of materials and time for the project.
Yes, they would start out saying they would not agree to this, but in the long run (knowing I didn't have a leg to stand on, should the need arise to collect) they would agree. And I have never had problems with damage or lost projects. And they were used to me coming in with that agreement.

[claire81]

I have always done smallish pieces which i have just put in a A4 frame myself cheap and easy, but now my new creation is long and oblong and I wont be able to find a frame for it, I have decided to have it professionally framed by a local photographer I have yet to find out how much this will cost me.

[crosstitcher1]

I am in the process of making pictures of MY tips AND projects on cross stitching. I have ALREADY taken a few pics of the LATEST project. I will take pics of MY way of framing. I am going to have our youngest make me a website so you all can see. It's BETTER with pics, than EXPLAINING in writing.


HAPPY STITCHING IN STITCHING LAND.

[Mystonique]

None of probably want to hear this story, however:

Back in the early 80s when I started needlepoint for the first time, I took my first effort which had taken well over a year to stitch, into a well-known specialist tapestry supply and framing shop.

A week or two later they called me to say they'd lost the piece and all they did was offer a replacement canvas and wool skeins.

Something I've never forgotten and still hurts all these years later especially when I come across an ad for the shop which is still in business.

If you are talking about what was in York St you are not the only one to have had that experience - I know of 2 others the same. It's terrible.

I am struggling to find a decent framer who knows how to deal with anything other than a print

[dalronix]

If you are talking about what was in York St you are not the only one to have had that experience - I know of 2 others the same. It's terrible.

That's exactly who I'm referring too. I wonder if they actually damage them in the framing process and then the use them being lost as an excuse.

[kouneli]

I usually have completed works that just require a regular-sized frame, but lately I've had one that needed a custom mat (found the frame). Actually took it to Michael's *gasp* as the price is just about equal to other framing places anyways (except Aaron bros...they are PRICEY!). I think they did an excellent job on framing it...but we'll see how long it lasts in the frame lol.
Chose a light grey mat with this frame...
http://www.michaels.com/Cross-Collage/f ... ng-collage" target="_blank
(though the frame itself actually has a dark brushed metal look)
for this cross stitch....

Don't yet have a picture of the completed job, but I'm hoping to give you all an idea of what it looks like lol.
I'll be going to Michael's again in order to get custom framing done on two name xs that I recently completed. One for a baby girl, and one for her older brother (who's currently almost 2).

[JuliaM]

Hi Meme. I always ask how they attach the cross stitch to the backing board. Some framers lace the work at the back and others just use adhesive tape. I’ve found over the years that the traditional method of lacing gives better results, but the down side is that framers who do it this way are normally more expensive.