Needlework artists use needle and thread in creating their art similar to how a painter uses brush and paints. This kind of work is also often referred to as needlepoint, cross stitch or embroidery. This time-consuming art produces treasured pieces that may be passed on as family heirlooms. As with paper art, textile art needs to be protected from acid-burn which will yellow the fabric over time. It is important to always use acid-free boards and adhesives.
Properly mounting needleart requires knowing the right method for doing so to maximize protection of the work to be framed. There are readily available books on how to frame needle art. This article will cover two of the simplest methods: quick mount board and pinning. For a more detailed explanation and other needle art mounting techniques, here is recommended further reading: Needlework Framing Volume 3 by Vivian C. Kistler.
Quick Mount
The easiest method for mounting needle art is using an acid-free quick mount board. In quick mounting the edges of the needle art are attached to the back of the board with adhesive. There are some quick mount boards claiming the fabric may be lifted and re-applied indefinitely. Remember, if the adhesive becomes permanent with time, this mounting method will be irreversible, therefore your piece could be ruined if disassembled. For valuable antique needle art be wary of this method, as the results of using pressure sensitive adhesives is still questionable. Some of these boards come with batting attached to the board. Be sure the batting is heat bonded, if it is not, it may migrate and push through through the surface of the needle art causing what is called a "beard."
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| Flower Fairy by Stephanie Clifford (CC BY 2.0) |
Properly mounting needleart requires knowing the right method for doing so to maximize protection of the work to be framed. There are readily available books on how to frame needle art. This article will cover two of the simplest methods: quick mount board and pinning. For a more detailed explanation and other needle art mounting techniques, here is recommended further reading: Needlework Framing Volume 3 by Vivian C. Kistler.
Quick Mount
The easiest method for mounting needle art is using an acid-free quick mount board. In quick mounting the edges of the needle art are attached to the back of the board with adhesive. There are some quick mount boards claiming the fabric may be lifted and re-applied indefinitely. Remember, if the adhesive becomes permanent with time, this mounting method will be irreversible, therefore your piece could be ruined if disassembled. For valuable antique needle art be wary of this method, as the results of using pressure sensitive adhesives is still questionable. Some of these boards come with batting attached to the board. Be sure the batting is heat bonded, if it is not, it may migrate and push through through the surface of the needle art causing what is called a "beard."
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