Tuesday 13 January 2009

Framing success

I am so happy with my attempt at framing.... I keep looking at it and thinking...wow!! (Sad or what!) I took my time with it but in the end it didn't really take that long and I reckon it cost at most £5 compared to the £20 my local framer would probably charge. I can't take the credit for the technique - Cross Stitcher magazine gave tips!! So here is how I did it...........

1) Cut your backing board, I used Foam Mount I had bought from the craft shop. I cut it just a bit smaller than the opening of the frame as I knew the material would pad it out.

2) Using lots of pins, pin around the edge to hold the stitching in position. (sorry no photos yet got too carried away to remember to take a photo!!)

3) I intended to use just double sided tape to secure the back but the one vertical side had very little overlap (me being skimpy with the aida), so I actually laced the vertical sides together with normal sewing cotton.

4) I did use double sided tape on the top and bottom sides though and then I stuck masking tape around all of the flaps to secure it even more. -

5) The front then looks like this -


6) Now position the pre cut picture mount, this was 5 x 7 inches and was a bit of a tight squeeze as the 'n' in Thornton had taken up more space than I had hoped, so the mount actually covers 2 rows of stitches on the left. To keep the mount in place I also used some double sided tape on the back. -

7) Finally place in your frame. Because the Foam board was very thick I was unable to then put the original backing on that had included a clip for hanging. I used the little metal clips to secure the board and then used masking tape to seal the edges. So here it is complete -

I think it looks very professional even if I say so myself. I just need to get some small hooks and string to be able to hang it on the wall, but for now it is ok resting on my shelf!!

This really boosted my confidence and I will certainly do my own framing again. In fact I think I may do Laura's Summer Fairy myself as it has been waiting to be framed now for ages. I have plenty more foam board as I bought a pack of 5! Just getting the picture mounts proves more tricky but of course you don't have to have a mount.

I worked on some of D for Dancer last night, I thought I had done really well until I reaslied the duck I had just finished was 1 stitch too low..... so he had to be ripped out... start again tonight!! I'll post my Family Tree update on my next update.

Happy stitching everyone.

Ginnie x

28 comments:

zetor said...

Looks wonderful Ginnie. I'm going to keep your tutorial as my framing is never very neat.

stitchersanon said...

Wow..will keep this post as it looks fantastic.
Well done!

Sadie said...

Your framing looks wonderful. You did a great job. You are not 'sad'. I would be doing the same! LOL!

Jennifer said...

Your framing job is marvelous - very professional looking! Great work!

Unknown said...

Your framing job looks very professional. Where did you buy the matting? At a craft store?

Annie said...

Excellent work! I've framed lots of pieces in more or less the same way. Sure does save a pile of money!

Jane said...

Well done Jayne, this looks great. I went to evening class to learn how to do picture framing as it was so much cheaper than taking it to the framers. Just need to get the tools out as I have a huge pile that need sorting so I can fill up all my wall space

Anonymous said...

It looks wonderful Jayne, well done on framing it yourself.

The Button Witch said...

Stunning stitching as always and so well done to you you did a fab job of framing it.You should be very proud, careful tho or you'll be getting framing requests lol

loulee said...

Great job, fantastic. And great savings too, my framer would have charged a lot more than £20.

Cindy F. said...

CONGRATS!! You did a beautiful job on your framing! You go girl!!

Margaret said...

Aren't you clever! It looks really great

Daffycat said...

It really looks fantastic, Ginnie! Well done!

Tanja said...

I saw this framing technique too in the Cross Stitcher's Magazine, but I have never tried it myself. I have to say that it looks wonderful! I still have some pieces here that need to be framed, I should give it a try.
Thanks for showing us Ginnie!

Samantha said...

That is a wonderful first attempt Ginnie - it looks very professional indeed. Well done!

Joyus said...

Wow, impressive framing skills - congratulations

Wendy said...

Jayne that looks perfect!! Well done!! You want to do some for me!! lol..x.. Will refer to this in future!! Thanks..x..

AnnMcD said...

Wow Good work! What a great feeling of accomplishment you must have to have tried something new and to have it turn out so beautifully. Congratulations!

Ranae said...

Cograts! super fab framing job

Lucy said...

Great job...we call that the Pin and Tap method!!! I've done a few and it really is great.

Ginger said...

Hi Ginnie, your framing looks really good. My local art/craft store (where I get things framed) has a selection of ready cut mounts for sale. There isn't the same selection of colours and sizes but I can usually find what I need. They will also make a mount for me if I need something special - even if I'm not using the framing service. Why not ask whoever you usually use - I'm sure they'd be glad to keep your custom.

Gill - That British Woman said...

that sounds pretty easy to do, and here's me thinking it was so complicated!!!

Gill in Canada

Sally said...

You have made a fantastic job of your framing!

Erica said...

What a beautiful job you have done on the framing! It will mean that much more to you every time you look at it! I love the design too.
It makes me think of my grandfather who was wounded in France.

Julie said...

Big thumbs up, well done!

Felicity said...

Gorgeous, Ginnie!

Shell said...

great job.I have found it so hard to get the fabric straight when I have tried before.

Shebafudge said...

Your framing looks great! Congratulations!!