Framing – The Caribou that went ‘thataway’.

Creating an embroidery is an expression of our soul.  Whether it has been easy, complex, a challenge or a joy, each one of our creations is important to us.  We labour over them and when they are completed, we want to launch them into the world with as much finesse as we can muster.  Although we can mount them ourselves, the framing part of cutting mattes, glass and frames someone else has to do.  We just do not have the stock or the equipment to do it.

First, embroideries should be mounted on acid-free foam core board. They need to be mounted grain perfect and secured firmly over the mounting board.  I have covered this process in detail in my ebook, Hand Stitch Recognizable Summer Flowers which is published by ebookIt.  This is not an expensive book and is worth buying just for the instructions on how to do this correctly and easily.  Plus, there is a lot else in the book that you will find useful.

“The Caribou that went ‘that away'” was completed and mounted in the method detailed in my book.  I took it to well-known framers.  First, I was surprised at the limited choice of both mattes and frames but we then made a selection together.  When it came back, the embroidery was not mounted straight within the oval matte.  It was twisted/tilted.  The vertical and horizontal laid work thread lines were not vertical, or horizontal.  It was disappointing to say the least.  I forgot to take a picture of it for you.

Then I took it to a private framer.  She suggested a much darker matte and frame with forest green tones. This works a lot better.  The embroidery now appears as if you are looking out of a window and can see the caribou trail with the trees and the wind blowing the sky and clouds.  She found though, that she could not do a perfect job.  The first framers had glued the mounted embroidery to a backing board and that she was unable to remove that backing board.  She included the light green matte from the first framing.,  You will note that the surrounding 1/2″ to the embroidery is not even.  And that is the way it is and, this is why it is that way.

The embroidery itself is not in good camera focus here because of the depth of the matting.

Why do I tell you this?

Because you need to know and be aware that all framers are not equal.  When you have done your ultra best work, you want to locate someone who will treat you, and your work with the respect that it deserves and do the best they are able for you.

I remember a few years ago that Mary Corbet completed an intricate and difficult piece of gold work.  The framers left a visible fabric pucker on the front of her work.  Her perfect piece was marred.  It had been treated disrespectfully.

I stitched an intricate and difficult piece of white work when I was in my 40s.  The framers made it look good but when we took it apart for reframing with acid-free materials, I found that the edges of the fabric had been stapled to a piece of ordinary and dirty white cardboard.  I was horrified.  I washed the embroidery to remove any destructive particles and remounted it on acid-free foam core board.  It was then framed properly and has been donated to the San Francisco School of Needlework and Design together with my samplers from The Royal School of Needlework.

Be wise. Respect yourself and your achievement. Mount your embroidery yourself which is the only way you will be sure it has been done properly.  It is also cheaper than having the framers do it.  Find the very best framer in your area and make sure they understand how important your work is to you.  Yes, it is expensive.  But after you have put your heart and soul into that embroidery, it is better not to get a second-rate framing job.

P.S.  I think that this embroidery has an atmosphere.  I get a feeling of cold, of spring being around the corner, of something about to happen.  The scene is not static.  How did this happen?  I have no idea.  It just happened! It was a tough one to stitch and I like it better now it is completed and properly framed.

See you again sometime soon.   Ann