How To Frame Needlepoint Canvas

To frame the needlepoint canvas, you need a good-quality frame, which will help preserve your needlepoint perfectly for generations to enjoy.

The process is not that tough and will also not take much time. All you have to do is follow the framing process correctly, and you will get yourself a beautifully framed needlepoint canvas.

You can either decorate your home with it or give it to someone as a gift. If you want to know how to do the framing or what the steps are, you can use this document as your ultimate guide.

It will assist you in doing the framing of the needlepoint canvas correctly and quickly so that you do not experience any issues or problems.

How To Frame Needlepoint Canvas?

When it comes to framing the needlepoint canvas, you do not need to carry extra knowledge or skills. The steps mentioned below are pretty easy to understand, and it’s not that complicated. Check it out!

Steps 1

When you have decided to frame your needlepoint canvas, there are several things you need to get the job done. Here are the things you need:

  • A ruler.
  • A glue-gun. [You can use any other glue that sticks the canvas perfectly with the card stock]
  • You need a pencil.
  • Scissors.
  • Silicon finger sheets. [They stand out as an ideal option for handling hot glue but are not precisely necessary]
  • 5mm thick card stock.

Once you have all the supplies, you can begin your framing work with immediate effect.

Step 2

Trim or cut around the canvas. Doing so will have around ? inch to 1 inch of extra canvas on all the sides. After that, you need to trim around the corners or edges.

When trimming around the corners, be careful not to cut the stitches. Doing so might destroy the entire needlepoint work.

Step 3

Now, you must wrap the canvas with a piece of cardstock. Remember, the dimensions of the card stock should be smaller than the stitched canvas.

For instance, if you have a needlepoint canvas of 5inches x 5inches, the card stock should be around 4.75inches x 4.75inches.

Also, it would be best if you centered this particular piece of cardboard on the wrong side of the stitching work.

Step 4

Now, it’s glue time! You need to heat the glue gun because you will adhere to the flaps of the card stock. Secure one side of the card stock and flap the opposite side.

You need to repeat the same technique with the last two flaps as well. Also, you have to pull the canvas as tight as possible. You need to do so without bending the canvas.

There will be small pieces of cotton canvas in the corners. You can use a bit of glue with the help of the glue gun so that you can secure them.

Step 5

You need to mount the canvas on the backing mat of the frame. If you want it right at the center, use a ruler and check to see whether there are white spaces on all the sides.

It’s time for you to write down the piece’s name or any other thing you like underneath the canvas.

Even though this is optional, it will be much easier for you to do so you move the canvas away, right before it gets glued.

When you have the canvas on the center, you use some light-colored pencils to mark the corners. These are nothing but just guides. It will enable you to come back to the place where you once applied the glue.

Now, you must flip the canvas and glue up the backside. Keep in mind that when gluing the back, you must move it away from the backing mat. Doing so will prevent the glue drops from falling on the mat.

After that, you must glue the needlepoint canvas on the mat by utilizing the light-shaded pencil marks as your guide.

Step 6

Okay, you are almost there! You have to place the mat board with a needlepoint canvas.

If you want to make sure it’s straight and lined up correctly, set up the mat board on the mat frame and hold it up towards a mirror.

When everything seems okay, you can take the next step and get to secure the mat backing towards the mat frame.

Put all the things within the wooden frame and secure it properly, and the work is complete.

Step 7

This is the last step, and it’s also optional. You need to look for an excellent spot to hang the frame. You can also place it somewhere in the corner of your room to have a touch of elegance.

The best thing is, you can set up the framed needlepoint canvas anywhere in your house to enhance the look or appearance of that area.

Things To Consider When Looking For A Frame

When you have decided to frame your needlework, you will need a high-quality frame for the job. So, when visiting a frame shop, there are some things that you need to put under your consideration. Look below!

1. You must have a good idea of how your complete work might look and where you should hang it.

2. When you visit the frame shop, ask the shop owner to provide you with acid-free backing and mats. Regular mats are not that expensive but might cause an acid burn over time.

3. Are you using glass on the needlepoint canvas? Make sure to keep it away from touching the stitches. If the needlepoint work contains a lot of texture, you have to use an additional form of spacing.

4. When you are using glass-based frames, don’t go for the ones that have Plexiglass. It’s because Plexiglass creates static electricity when you clean and will cause the fibers to stand up.

5. It will be much better to go for frames that come with shadow box sides. They are mainly used with deep frames to make a lot of space and match perfectly with the top mat.

6. Price is something that you must consider before you visit the frame shop. It’s highly essential to opt for a frame that will match your budget.

7. Do you want a frame to put on the easel? Or for hanging on the wall? Make sure to decide the type of frame you need before buying.

8. You also need to decide whether you want to use a mat color or batting underneath the design.

Types of glass ideal for framing needlepoint canvas

When framing the needlepoint canvas, you need to cover the front portion of the design. The glass will protect the canvas and keep it safe from unwanted issues, such as scratches, getting worn out, and so on.

But to make sure you have the perfect glass for the frame, there are several types of them available in the market. They are:

1. Regular Glass

The regular glass stands out to be pretty cheap and will keep the stitching clean and secured.

2. Conservative glass

The conservative glass will keep the design protected from UV light and keep it clean.

This particular glass must be your minimum choice unless you hang the framed needlepoint canvas in a dark room.

3. Museum Glass

The museum glass has the power to cut the UV lights and stands out as one of the best glasses that will terminate reflections and glare. If you hang near the eye level, it will feel as if there is no glass at all.

4. Reflection Control Glass

The reflection control glass can terminate the glare but will not eliminate the UV light. It works similarly to a conservative glass.

What are the things beginners should know about framing needlepoint?

1. The needlepoint canvas framing will help in mounting it, display it, and protect it. Framing the needlepoint will help to add context to the design and look eye-catching and unique.

2. When the needlepoint gets mounted, it will have a stiffener right underneath it. This stiffener can be anything from wood to cardboard and could be some under type of material.

3. The stiffener is required to keep the needlepoint flat within the frame or any other display. You can flatten up the needlepoint in three different ways, such as lacing, pinning, or gluing.

4. So, when you begin your framing work for the needlepoint canvas, you can choose any one of the methods or processes to lay your canvas flat.

How Can You Protect Your Framed Needlepoint Canvas?

There are several ways through which you keep the framed needlepoint canvas in good condition. Check below!

1. Please don’t keep your framed needlepoint within a hot car when it has glass on it. It will start to sweat, which will cause damage to the design and loosen the mount.

2. Make sure you don’t hang it on a wall where it will get the sun’s direct rays. Sunlight can give birth to sweating and fading.

3. Don’t think of hanging the framed needlepoint canvas on a wall that backs a heater, shower, or a sunny afternoon place. The humidity from such a source will cause wrapping.

When cleaning the framed needle art, be sure to use a clean and soft rag and spray it with a glass cleaner. After that, you can wipe up the frame and the glass.

Jessica

Jessica

I'm Jessica Flores, a professional fashion designer and an expert seamstress. Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years. I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills. It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.

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