Framing an embroidery isn't difficult, but it's important to proceed with care. You want your work to look its best on the wall. I'm often asked how best to do that. I have to admit, I don't have much experience with framing myself. I prefer to make smaller pieces that I can display in a wooden embroidery hoop can hang. But a larger piece naturally looks best when neatly stretched in a picture frame. Your embroidery will also stay beautiful longer because it's covered in glass. So I asked a real embroidery pro for help! Joyce Magendans, also known as @stitch.for.luck on Instagram, who has already made and framed quite a few embroideries in her life, explains step by step in this blog post how best to frame an embroidery.
Guest blog by Joyce about framing your embroidery
After hours of work, your beautiful embroidery is finished. And then the next question arises: "What am I going to do with it?" There are several options, such as taking it to a framer, incorporating it into a cushion, using an embroidery hoop, or even framing it yourself. Perhaps you even leave your embroidery unfinished in a closet because you don't know how to finish it... You're certainly not alone! Your embroidery deserves a frame to shine in. Hopefully, I can help you get started with tips and examples. Framing it for the first time can be daunting, as you don't want to accidentally damage your embroidery. It's perfectly understandable, and it's wise to be careful.
Washing your embroidery
It's important to wash your embroidery before framing, especially if you're taking it to a framer. Your embroidery might look clean at first glance, but it could also be covered in oils from your skin, for example. There's nothing more frustrating than a stain developing on your beautiful framed embroidery hanging on the wall years later!
You can soak your embroidery in a bucket or sink with lukewarm water and detergent for half an hour. Check the brand of your thread or embroidery kit to see if this is possible; it's always indicated. DMC yarn is colorfast anyway. Then rinse your embroidery thoroughly under running water. It is important to not Wring your work, as wringing creates wrinkles that are difficult to iron out. Simply hold your embroidery up for a moment, and most of the water will drain out. After rinsing, lay your embroidery on a clean towel to dry.
Ironing your embroidery
Once dry, you can iron your embroidery. If you're nervous about this, you can place a cloth between your embroidery and the iron. You can also iron just the back. I do it on both sides, but see what works for you and feels right.
Supplies
After washing, drying, and ironing, your embroidery is ready to be framed. For this, you'll need:
- A list
- Sturdy (acid-free) paper
- Pair of scissors
- Pins
- Needle
- Wire
The best you can do is acid-free paper Use it when framing, as this will extend the life of your frame. The paper does need to be thick enough so it doesn't bend when you stretch the embroidery. Often, a separate sheet of paper is included in your frame, which you can use as a template to cut out the correct size.
Framing your embroidery step by step
Lay down the paper and then place your ironed embroidery on top. You'll see the paper show through, and this way you can easily adjust the position to your liking to get the best look. If I can't quite visually get it right, I use a measuring tape to check that there's roughly the same amount of space on all sides.
I use a pin to secure each corner so the paper is attached to the embroidery. This way I can carefully turn the paper with the embroidery over.
I start by folding the fabric from the center, starting from one side. I repeat this on all sides. Then turn the piece over again to check if this is the look you envision.
Now's the time to grab your needle and thread again and start securing your embroidery. On one side, I start from the center, basting back and forth as you can see in the photo, and then work my way toward a corner. There, I place stitches to secure the folds. By always starting from the center, you keep the fabric balanced and prevent accidental skewing.
It is not The idea is to pull the threads tightly, but slightly to keep the fabric in place. Repeat this process four times.
And then your embroidery is framed, you can place it in your frame and look at it with pride that you have gone through this entire framing process.”
Thank you for your detailed explanation, Joyce! Joyce loves sharing her embroidery projects and tips on Instagram; follow her on @stitch.for.luck .
Would you also like to write a guest blog for Iris Borduurt? You can always contact me. send an email with your idea.
