The Framers Forum

Hi All,

A minor query regarding framing needlework pieces: what type of board do you use to wrap the fabric round? Is it the norm to make do with a piece of foam core, or even mount card?

I always use cotton rag mountboard facing the work. I EVA some foamboard to the back of the cotton mountboard to add rigidity. That's how I was taught by an Advanced Guild framer.

I avoid using foamcore unless I'm going to pin the fabric. In which case I do bond Level 1 or Level 2 board to foamboard.

But for everything else I would use minimum 2.4mm Level 2 mountboard - or Level 1 boards (bonded together if necessary for rigidity) if working to Level 1 standards.

And that's how this Advanced framer teaches her students which just goes to prove once again that there is always more than one way to do something in this industry.

Many thanks, Justin and Jo.

On this subject, I imagine there are some clients who would be happy with a frame and glass, without a bordering mat. Is it imperative to have a mat for cross stitches, if only to keep the work off the glass?

Not imperative to have a mount at all. In fact we only have them on about 50% of the needlework pieces we do. Lots of design reasons to have or not have to suit.

If no mount then it absolutely IS imperative to have a spacer of some kind to lift the glass away from the surface of the fabric.

I used 4 ply board for smaller, light pieces - up to about 14x14” (image size, not glass size), then 8 ply and beyond, usually made up by bonding 4 ply together.

Unbuffered board is recommended for wool, so needlepoint. crewel etc, and silk. There’s limited choice but it doesn’t have to be a board, a board can be covered in unbuffered tissue and so can the back of a window mount. Not using it isn’t the end of the world though!

https://www.gohardware.co.uk/products/l ... cm-12-pack

Quilt wadding can give a “cushioned” effect and “soak up” bulky areas on the back of the fabric. This can go on top of a mounting board directly against the fabric, or under a fabric-covered board. Cut it slightly smaller than the image size for the best effect.

Jo and John,

Thanks for your responses. These are extremely helpful!