Help with framing?

[tsukitenshi]

Hi all. I've been cross stitching for years, but haven't actually done any framing, except for two recent projects that came with the frame and glass and everything. A few years ago I looked into taking one piece to be frame, but it seemed awfully expensive. What do you guys to with framing?

[blackmageheart]

Although I do have mine done professionally from time to time, I mostly do my framing myself. I buy (or sometimes make) frames to fit my project, and I have often made projects to fit a particular frame. I also recycle old frames by repainting and repairing them

You might find this thread interesting: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1489

I hope that helps! ^^

[Yurtle]

I always use the sticky board that you can buy at Michaels or other craft stores. It's meant for mounting and framing this kind of work. You would wash/dry your project and iron it out. Cut the board to fit your frame. I usually take out the paper that came in the frame and use that to measure the size of the sticky board. Then you peel off the paper that's covering the sticky part of the board and stretch out your material over the sticky side. It is very sticky so make sure that you have it all lined up before you press it all down. Then I just fold the edges over the back, trim a little and tape them down.

Make sure that you buy a deep frame though because the sticky board plus the aida will be very thick and it can be difficult in getting some frames to close after you've done all that work. I sometimes have to make my own notches in the wood or use really strong packing tape to hold the back of the frame onto the frame.

I hope this makes sense!

[Eliste]

I buy normal frames wherever I can. Then I wash, block, and press things. I usually prefer to get matting cut by the folks at an art shop for me, but then I'll put it all together myself.

I've never used sticky anything, and wouldn't want to. Using a piece of card stock, or matting board, I then put the piece over it and lace it across the back to keep it tight. Never had a problem with it.

But I will say consider what size something will be BEFORE you start it. Matting boards can help make up the difference so that your piece will fit a normal sized frame, but it won't work for everything. I have a piece that's really long and skinny and while a frame got made, I still have no glass in it because it costs so much.

[Yurtle]

I've had some stitches framed using that sticky board for over 10 years and I've never seen it discolour or have any ill effects to the cross-stitch. Fingers crossed that they continue to hold up!