The Framers Forum

I am starting to explore different mount options to enhance works (not washes and lines yet though) and I'm looking to find a fabric mountboard in a white colour. Preferably like a silk look rather than the bobbly linen effect.

I have looked at Arqadia, Colourmount and Bainbridge but can't seem to find anything. Crescent seem to do a 'Raw Silk' in Antique White but that's on their USA site.

Does anyone know where I can find this in the UK and also be able to obtain samples?

On another issue, apart from Bainbridge bevel strips, Crescent tapes and the decoration tape from Wessex, are there other bevel decoration tapes / bevel strips available elsewhere?

Thanks!

Crescent do a 'Silki' range in whitecore available from Wessex 4140 is 'white silki', but looks more silver.

You could always buy some white silk and bond it to mountboard or wrap it around cut mounts.

As for bevel tapes - I do a lot of bevel-wrapping and I've never bought any. I strip the surface paper from long skinny offcuts of mount board that would normally get tosssed - they're free! I also use fabrics and other papers.

Thanks Robo,

Hadn't noticed the Silki range as it was in the basics range section and not in the conservation area. Suppose if its away from the artwork it doesn't matter.

I'd have to buy the tapes etc in as I don't keep or use coloured boards so don't have the waste to make my own.

I'm starting to get into 'washes and lines'. It's certainly a new skill for me - but not as difficult as I imagined it would be.
Ink lines are no problem. I use my old drafting pens.
Using a ruling pen is something new to be learned
Watercolour lines and washes are new too.
But all things considered, I'm finding that it's just a matter of practice.
The more I practice the easier it becomes.
I was forced into it, by a customer who wanted washlines on his window mount. A furious week practicing all manner of things.
I now have about 30 different washline and ink-line mountboard chevrons for demos with other customers, so it was worth being pressurized for.
I'm also learning frame hand finishing, with acrylics. That's a similar sort of learning curve.
I want to do the FATG GCF exam during 2013 ~ for my own benefit rather than to 'become a framer'.

I'd have a go at 'washes and lines' ~ you might be pleasantly surprised

One thing I don't like about fabric boards is that they tend to fray around the bevel. As it's more good luck than judgement if the cut follows the weave perfectly.
Buying your own fabric and wrapping it around the bevel looks very classy. Fairly easy to do if you have a heat press. The trick is to use dry-mount film and replace the drop out from the window while in the press, which moulds the fabric around the bevel. When it's cooled, cut into the corners and trim to leave about an inch to wrap round the back. Pop it back in the press and it's done. Works well with silks and fine weave fabrics. Some fabrics it wouldn't work so well with, if at all.

I don't have a heat press at the moment but its something that I could look into if I do have problems with the board fraying as you have mentioned.