The Framers Forum

Hi everyone,

Just a couple of questions regarding unrelated issues:

1. I'm framing the a couple of cross stitches. The fabrics I've been given are a little creased. As framers, would you attempt to iron these out, or would you avoid this sort of intervention altogether? There's obvious reasons for avoiding. Yes, I should have raised this issue with the client; I'll know to look out for it in future.

2. I'm doing a double frame job, where the inner frame is a a linen slip, which is deeper than the outer frame. Would it be acceptable practice to leave the frames like that shown in my photo? Personally, I think it is fine; just wondered if it's normally preferable to not have the depth disparity clear from the edges, in which case I'd have to pack it out with something else.

1. I would never iron directly onto a piece of work, but I would use steam to relax it and then iron over a thicker fabric laid on top, being gentle with it.
2. I think it's personal taste. I will often stain that visible face of the slip which takes attention away from it. Alternatively I will use a bandsaw to bevel that edge, so that visually it disappears.
Here's an example of a frame extension before it's stained.

Those linen slips are very old fashioned and usually used on oils, but with far wider outer mouldings, which can and usually do, have rebates too shallow to prevent the slip protruding slightly, but it’s barely noticeable with wide mouldings.

Yours will always be obvious and looks really naff. I wouldn’t worry about trying to cure the problem. I’d prevent it with a deeper rebate, that’s if I was using an inner frame in that style and size,, which I wouldn’t be.
I assume the linen slip will be spacing the glass, so it will protrude even more?

I’d have no problem ironing it, towel below, pillowcase on top.

What’s crochet got to do with anything?

Hi Justin.

Looks like I've got a problem! And it's come about as a result of not closely looking at the width and depth of the outer moulding against the slip, when the client chose it. I'm certain the client might actually be okay with retaining their choice of mouldings, but I'd better offer other mouldings before I go further.

The crochet element, not mentioned previously, is in that I'll be lacing the fabric up behind the cotton mount board. I'd meant to ask...is there a preferred wool size for doing this. I'd seen a video where someone was doing this with UK crochet "size 8", but these seems a bit too thick for the fabric to me.

JKX wrote: Sat 08 Nov, 2025 9:04 am Those linen slips are very old fashioned and usually used on oils, but with far wider outer mouldings, which can and usually do, have rebates too shallow to prevent the slip protruding slightly, but it’s barely noticeable with wide mouldings.

Yours will always be obvious and looks really naff. I wouldn’t worry about trying to cure the problem. I’d prevent it with a deeper rebate, that’s if I was using an inner frame in that style and size,, which I wouldn’t be.
I assume the linen slip will be spacing the glass, so it will protrude even more?

I’d have no problem ironing it, towel below, pillowcase on top.

What’s crochet got to do with anything?

It’s probably my video you’ve watched - I said I’d used No8 but it was actually No 5, which is thicker - and it’s crochet cotton, not wool.

This is you, John??



Enjoyable video, actually.

So No. 5 is thicker than No. 8? Whatever I bought certainly looks too thick for fabric holes, but I'm nipping to sewing shop in town later today.

JKX wrote: Sat 08 Nov, 2025 11:49 am It’s probably my video you’ve watched - I said I’d used No8 but it was actually No 5, which is thicker - and it’s crochet cotton, not wool.

"video unavailable" - not sure why, buts it's viewable on Youtube.

Yes, with crotchet cotton the higher the number the finer it is.

I used it for most embroidery type pieces; for heavier things like needlepoint I’d use craft cotton, dishcloth cotton or knitting cotton, but our shop was the biggest independent craft shop in the area - and far beyond, so all I had to do was a bit of shoplifting.

They're very helpful videos, John. You've an amiable presenting style. Did you ever consider a career in broadcasting??

JKX wrote: Sat 08 Nov, 2025 2:10 pm Yes, with crotchet cotton the higher the number the finer it is.

I used it for most embroidery type pieces; for heavier things like needlepoint I’d use craft cotton, dishcloth cotton or knitting cotton, but our shop was the biggest independent craft shop in the area - and far beyond, so all I had to do was a bit of shoplifting.

A bit late for that, I’ll be 71 next muck-spreading!

I do think we missed a trick with YouTube though as that single video got so many followers and they’re still trickling. It was made in one of the lockdowns so we’d have been retired no more than 18 months later.

We didn’t have much on line presence at all really, but seeing as that was because we were always very busy……… ??

Never too late, John! At least those vids have assisted well in getting me over the fear of handling cross-stitches.

JKX wrote: Mon 10 Nov, 2025 5:21 pm A bit late for that, I’ll be 71 next muck-spreading!

I do think we missed a trick with YouTube though as that single video got so many followers and they’re still trickling. It was made in one of the lockdowns so we’d have been retired no more than 18 months later.

We didn’t have much on line presence at all really, but seeing as that was because we were always very busy……… ??