Mounting and Framing Your Needlework or Cross Stitch
Counted cross stitch can be a very fun and rewardable pastime. It's one of the few crafts I enjoy and that I feel confident about the finished results.
There are a number of ways you can mount and frame your finished cross stitch projects. Cost is always an issue. Frames and mounting accessories can be very expensive. I've found a couple of ways to cut corners that still produce pleasing results.
Frames are easy to find. I like frames of all shapes and sizes--they give your finished projects more character. I often bring them home with no particular project in mind. You can always save them until you need them, especially if they were cheap! One of the best places to find frames is yard sales. You can often pick them up for .35 or .50 each (compared to $5 to $50 at the store). Thrift stores are also a good place to look. When I'm pressed for time I pick up a $2 frame at Walmart.
It's not necessary for your frames to have glass. Sometimes I frame my projects with glass in front of them and sometimes I don't. When I'm not going to use glass I make sure to spray the surface of the fabric with Scotchguard to help prevent future stains.
I mount my projects in two different ways. You can buy mounting boards in any craft store. There are two kinds--padded and not padded. I've found that the padded ones work great when you have a frame that doesn't have glass. The padding makes the fabric stand out from the frame a little and looks very nice. It's also easier to smooth out any wrinkles in the fabric.
I use the non-padded mounting boards when I use frames with glass. The nice thing about the mounting boards is that your fabric sticks to them so it won't move around after your project is mounted and framed.
I've found a quick trick that saves you from having to buy the mounting board (if you're using the non-padded kind). The back of your frame is usually a piece of cardboard much like the cardboard the mounting board is made of. I've found you can use spray-adhesive to mount your fabric directly on the cardboard back of the frame. It works great. You can buy two different types of spray adhesive: repositionable and permanent (it's never coming off!). I like the repositionable because you can still move the fabric around until you get it just right.
When I've got the fabric where I want it (after measuring to make sure it's centered and also cutting off the excess fabric), I use masking tape to fold over the edges of the mounting board. I get it as close to the edge of the board as possible on the front of the fabric, and fold the remainder to the back. This keeps the edges of the fabric from fraying.
Additional Tips:
If you get a little stain on your fabric you can often get it off by dampening the fabric and rubbing a bar of soap or dishwashing liquid into the stain and rinsing.
Before you place the fabric on the mounting board, iron gently to get out any wrinkles in the fabric. If you mist the fabric with water, even the toughest wrinkles will come out.
Using Scotchguard (stain guard that comes in a can) on your fabric is optional, but may help prevent future stains from ruining your artwork.
Author Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom who is the author of the Creative Homemaking Recipe of the Week Club Cookbook, a cookbook containing more than 250 quick easy dinner ideas. For recipes, tips to organize your home, home decorating, crafts, and frugal family fun, visit her at Creative Homemaking.
I am trying to frame my cross stitch project and bought a frame from the craft store along w/ a nice double mat. However w/ the needlework on the mounting board + 2 mats, it is too thick, I can't put the back of the frame on! I tried using only one mat and it's still too thick to get the back on. I'm going to give this as a gift, do you have any tips on how to make a back for the frame? I foresee improvising w/ cardboard to make a protective back and then attaching a hanging wire to the wooden frame itself. Any tips appreciated, thanks!
Reply to celia
Kaye – kayewise@hotmail.com
Jul 11, 2009 - 12:34
The depth of your frame or "rabit" is too shallow. Go to a craft store or local framer who can provide a frame that will accomodate
your needlework. They come in all depths.
Reply to celia
Susan – Fulton, MO
Sep 19, 2009 - 23:10
I had the same difficulty when I framed some of my counted cross stitch. I used the mounting board for my work, left the cardboard included with the frame out and used the staples or hinges to hold the mount board in place. Then I covered the back of the frame with wrapping paper, glued in place along the outside edge of the frame and put the hanger on the frame itself. I also used tiny felt corners to keep the frame and paper from rubbing against the wall when hung.
M ary Jean – Indiana
Feb 05, 2009 - 15:27
I have been told that needlepoint should be "blocked". However, none of the cleaners in the area do this. One cleaner steemed the item and stretched it and it looks OK to me. Any thoughts on this?
Kathy T – SC
Nov 03, 2008 - 17:57
Hi, I was wondering how to center a small (5 x 71/2) picture in a large (11 1/2 x 14) frame. Matboard will be covering all but the picture itself. Can you give me any tips? Thanks, Kathy
sandy
Oct 31, 2008 - 16:02
I just wanted to let you know I liked your mounting tips but you should not use the CARDBOARD or any acid containing board for framing because it will stain or weaken the fabric in years to come. Go to an art store and ask for an acid free board, they are not expensive when you buy a whole sheet and use just what you need.
Reply to sandy
Jane Lake – Editor at All Free Crafts
Oct 31, 2008 - 20:12
Good tip - thank you!
Tanya – Ohio
Sep 21, 2008 - 06:33
I just wanted to thank you and can't wait to try mounting my work. I have a few pieces to do and was never able to find an easy, rather inexpensive way to do it. This sounds great.
