Guidelines for Framing

Framing needlework is the final touch to turn it into a work of art. Frames have become an art form in their own right. There are so many options available now, that it can be hard to find the perfect one for your finished piece unless you have some guidelines.

First, a little story...

When I finished my last cross stitch piece, I took it to be specially mounted. I wanted my hours of work protected from UV rays, dust, and mildew.

The lady behind the counter brought over some samples. They were 3 inches wide, in various metallic and antique finishes, and covered with fancy scrolls and leaves.

"No," I said. "Something plainer."

She brought more ridiculous samples, and I gave the same response.

I don't know how many times we went through this. The point is, I needed an edge that would show off my work, not show off the frame.

I want people to look at my embroidery and notice the embroidery. If the hanging device is too distracting, it's a failure. A good edge is a subtle border that accents and supports the look of your piece. It should not scream for attention.

Take a look at the needlework framing I chose and see if you agree with my choice for an embroidery showcase.

Guidelines for Finding the Perfect Frame

  • Color
    Border color, whether wood or metal, should not distract from your work. The same goes for the mat color, if you choose to use one. I prefer a nice embroidered border rather than matting. Mats look distracting to me, like the artwork couldn’t support itself as artwork and needs some added help!

  • Depth
    For protection against moisture and mold growth, your work should not touch the glass. So, you need a deeper case with things like punch needle or silk ribbon embroidery. It's ok to not use glass if you’re ok with dust and possible mildew.

  • Weight
    Be careful of how much the total piece weighs. If the needlework is very wide or large, you may need two loops on the back to hang it with stability.

Mounting
Before you can place your work in a frame, you'll need to mount it. To do this, you place a piece of cardboard behind your work. Pin the fabric in place on the back so the picture is centered on the front. Then carefully sew in the side margins across the back with strong string, forming a zigzag pattern from top to bottom. Turn and work a line of zigzags going from side to side.

The color of the cardboard, or a paper sheet placed between the fabric and cardboard, should be the same color as the fabric you stitched on unless you want to highlight any holes. Hardanger looks nice with a contrasting color or a similar color background. It depends on the effect you want!

Make sure the cardboard and paper you use as a mount inside are acid free. Otherwise, your fabric can turn yellow over time!


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