Frame it yourself

The finishing touch is easy to do yourself and, if you follow a few tips from the experts, you can achieve professional results.


After spending weeks or even months completing your cross-stitch, you'll want to frame it for display.

Above: All materials and the frame are available from Tapestry Craft. Phone (02) 9299 8588 for more information or visit www.tapestrycraft.com.au

You'll need:
Your finished cross-stitch project
Tapestry needle
Strong thread or unwaxed dental floss
Pins
Piece of acid-free foam-core board (from art supply shops)
Piece of 3mm-thick foam
Piece of white poly-cotton fabric
Frame
Craft scalpel
Strong acid-free cardboard or brown paper
Framers tape

Here's how:
Step 1
If the finished cross-stitch needs cleaning, wash it gently by hand with mild soap flakes, taking care not to wring or rub it. Rinse well, then roll in a towel and leave to dry. Lay a folded towel on the ironing board and place work face down on the top. Cover with a pressing cloth and press with a warm iron.

Step 2
Decide on the amount of space you would like to have around the stitched area to determine the frame size you require. Use a craft scalpel to cut the foam-core board 2mm smaller all round than the rebated area of the frame. Cut a piece of white poly-cotton fabric and 3mm foam to the same size as the cross-stitched cloth.

Step 3
Centre the embroidery on foamcore board and put four pins through the cloth to mark the perimeter of the board. Very carefully pull threads from the cloth where indicated by pins, leaving fine lines in the cloth which align with the edges of the foam-core board.

Step 4
Lay poly-cotton fabric and foam on table. Centre foam-core board on top, leaving about 4cm excess fabric and foam all around. Thread a long length of strong thread onto a tapestry needle. Fold the excess fabric and foam over the edges of the board to the back. Make a large stitch from centre top to centre bottom, then from centre right to centre left to hold foam and cotton in place. Centre embroidery on padded core board, aligning the edges of the board with the pulled threads. Place a pin through all layers into the middle of each side of the foam-core board. To hold the cloth firmly, place pins around the entire perimeter of the board, stretching the cloth slightly as you pin.

Step 5
Refer to the diagrams below to lace your work. Stitch about 2cm in from the raw edges of the cloth and; through all layers of Aida, poly-cotton fabric and foam. Begin half way down and work to the bottom, lacing from left to right, then knotting thread firmly at the corners. Fold corners in and cut out excess foam so they sit flat. Catch diagonal corners together with large stitches between each corner. Tack the corners so they sit flat, then repeat the lacing process between remaining two sides. Remove pins.







Step 6
Place laced work in frame. Cut backing board from acid-free cardboard or brown paper to fit inside rebate and tape in place.



Source: Better Homes and Gardens June 2001