Framing cross stitch takes a little more time and effort than preparing a standard portrait or poster. To get the most pleasing presentation from your cross-stitch frame, you’ll need to take a few more actions or consider a few different things.
Framing your work in a suitable material allows you to keep the expense of the gift down while still giving a stunning gift. Putting your completed cross-stitch, embroidery, or needlework projects in a frame is the best way to show them off.
Professional framing has two significant drawbacks: it is expensive, and there is no assurance that the fabric will be well cared for. A finished cross-stitch that was improperly attached can quickly be turned yellow and could not be removed cleanly.
Unevenly placed double-sided tape resulted in the fabric straining and leaving a sticky residue. Non-acid-free matting was utilized underneath and in front of the cloth, causing the fabric to become stained over time.
Table of Contents
Preparing the Material
Before framing your cross-stitch fabric, you’ll want to make sure it’s clean and presentable. Then, all you need is a basin of lukewarm water and some mild soap.
Afterward, you should soak the cross stitch for around 15 minutes—moving it about as it flows in the water so it doesn’t dry out. Then, rinse it many times with water until the water is clear.
For the creases and wrinkles to disappear, you’ll need to place them on a clean white towel. Avoid folding the towel and cross-stitching; instead, use a rolling method to avoid creases in the finished result.
A cross-stitch frame is typically stretched on a more stable platform before being measured; the figures you have after your cross-stitch will reflect your artwork’s dimensions. Please remember that standard wood frame thickness is an eighth of an inch, and the metal frame thickness is a quarter of an inch.
Spray your board with a bottle of water before framing cross stitch. You may then smooth it out and get rid of any wrinkles.
The Pinning Method
This is the most common mounting method since it produces a beautiful result that some people like to present without a frame. However, if you don’t have a double-sided adhesive tape or hot glue gun, you’ll need a picture frame and a piece of foam core that’s not too thick.
There are also picture hangers that can be attached to the back of the frame if you do not want to utilize any of the backing included with your frame. Mark the center of both boards and your completed cross-stitch before you begin.
Drawing two diagonal lines from each corner is the simplest way to accomplish this. Your center is the point at which the two lines intersect.
When marking your fabric, always use an erasable fabric pen instead of a conventional pen. Put a pin through the marked center of your cross-stitch piece and then through the center of your board, ensuring that it is perfectly centered and straight before you begin stitching. At this stage, you can also use a ruler to make sure that it’s precisely the appropriate size.
Fold the fabric’s two most extended edges onto the board’s backside. To begin, begin inserting the pins through your piece into the board’s sides. Each pin should have a gap of the same size between it and the next one, and you should stop before you get to the corners.
The component should fit snuggly into the frame now. To attach the paper, use double-sided hot glue or tape to adhere it to the piece. Hang your finished cross-stitch project on a wall with a picture frame hanger, and you’re done.
The Lacing Method
Once you have a final product that doesn’t have a lot of leftover fabric around the edges, you can utilize this method. There are no pins in this method; instead, you’ll need a heavy-duty needle and some thicker thread.
With two strands of thread on your needle, begin weaving the thread through one rear edge to the other. Again, any thread will do if it is vital.
Work your way up and down the length of the board in this manner until the entire piece is securely encircled. Again, avoid putting your needle too close to the edge of the Aida cloth or evenweave fabric for fear of tearing it. Afterward, much like the pinning method, you can add your picture frame.
View how to use lacing method by John Turner@Youtube:
The “Sticky Board” Method
There are various options for framing your final cross stitch or embroidery. Another option is a self-stick mounting board, often known as press-on or simply “styrofoam,” one of the quickest and easiest methods.
High-tack glue is applied to one side of thick cardboard to create a sticky board. Due to the adhesive’s repositionability and acid-free nature, it is suitable for all types of needlework).
You can indicate the required size of your sticky board with a yardstick and pencil if you need to cut it down. Then, using the frame’s glass, you may know how excellent your needlework should be by tracing it.
Inside of the lines you’ve drawn on the sticky board with a pocketknife or sharp scissor, gently cut the sticky board to remove any excess. The board should be slightly smaller than the frame so that the fabric may be wrapped around it.
Half of the sticky board is printed, while the other is blank. There is a lot of adhesive on the printed side. The glue may be seen after removing the printed backing paper. You’ll need this in the future.
Make your needlework look three-dimensional by sandwiching it between the mounting board and the batting. There is no limit to how much batting you can use.
Sew your adhesive board together using cotton quilt batting cut to the same size as the board. Then, cut a second smaller piece and place it on top of the first one to make it more cushioned.
Attach the batting to the sticky board’s unprinted side with double-sided tape or a thin layer of craft glue. The printed paper backing should be gently scored about an inch away from the board’s edge using a ruler and a craft knife, depending on the size of your piece. Repeat on each of the four corners.
More articles about cross stitch you may interest:
How To Organize Your Embroidery Floss?
How to Thread a Needle Easily?
