Want to Frame Your Rug?
Linda Powell was asked by a guild member, "Do you do your own framing and where do you get frames made?" and here's what she shared with guild members...
The two companies I have used a lot for already assembled frames that come boxed with all the “parts” are listed below. Click on the link to take you directly to each business website.
American Frame (Maumee, Ohio)
Picture Frames (USA)
I prefer these two companies and have no complaints about the construction, quality, and products over all. You can select mount boards, mats, custom sizes, and etc. I usually eliminate all of the extras and glass (your natural fiber needs to breathe). So, I just order the frame, no extras. They send all of the hardware at no additional charge. My only concern is the rising shipping costs with the already assembled frames - bigger boxes, more money.
My recent purchase was from the following company and was used on the “morel mushroom” piece shown yesterday.
Custom Frame Solutions (Huntington, WV)
Although the shipping cost was less ($8 vs. $20) I had to use wood glue and plastic plugs and assemble the frame myself. That is doable, but I also found the quality of the frame not up to my standards. However, that could have been just the frame I selected.
In the future, I will probably pay more for a solid wood frame already assembled and the higher shipping costs. The satisfaction of a quality product is sometimes worth it.
Norita also suggests to her students to try to alter your patterns to fit a standard size frame. These frames can be purchased practically anywhere. This is perfect for your own personal designs where you can decide the size or commercial ones that are very close to one of the standard sizes already.
TWO TIPS:
#1. If you are planning to frame a piece yourself, once you mount your hooked piece to a mount board or 1/4 wood board (with something in between the wood and your work) you need to select a frame that has a “rabbit” that is deep enough to hold the mounted piece within the frame and not bulge out the back.
All frame companies list this “rabbit” measurement on their product. I prefer 1/2” or 5/8” but this will depend on the the overall depth of your mounted piece. Adjust as needed. Too deep and you will need to fill the space between your piece and the paper dustcover placed on the back. Illustration photos of what the “rabbit” measurement actually is, is shown in the photos above.
#2. Also, when you order your frame you want to have your project already mounted when you take the measurements of Length x Width. If you take the measurements of the finished piece before it is mounted, your frame will be too small. The mounting process adds a little to the sides as it is wrapped around the board and laced up. That tiny addition of backing adds to the overall measurements. Trust me on this as I learned the hard way.
As always, this is the method and what works for me - it is not the only way. Hope this helps!