The Framers Forum

Thanks for your replies

I don't mean needleworks, more fabric art which is 3D. I'm doing one at the moment which is massive and has parts which are stuffed. I've stretched the backing fabric fine by lacing it but I need something to secure parts of it from front to back. Another purpose for wire would be for clothing/shirt...

What wire do people use for stitching through fabric works (after lacing) to stop them billowing forward? I'm thinking it needs to be non-corrosive for conservation purposes and thin enough to be discreet. I often use thread but its really fiddly/time consuming and more difficult to get it nice and ...

Oh great, thank you both. Would you like to do this one Tim H? It's out of my comfort zone really and I'd prefer it if the customer has more of an expert to do it. He says he's asked around but has had real trouble finding someone who can do gilding. Let me know and I could put you in touch!

Hi everyone, I have a customer wanting to match the frame pictured which he has seen in the gallery. He thinks it has green gold leaf on the outer edge. I'm up for giving it a go as I've already done a gold gold leaf frame, but I'm not sure what colour leaf to get for this. Anyone have an idea or ti...

I'm looking to buy a Cassese CS20 if anyone has one they want to sell me

Thanks for all the replies and advice. Stitching it onto stretched fabric sounds like the way forward. Just wondering, would it best to do it on a proper stretcher bars which can be re-tensioned (I usually order mine custom made from Harris Moore) or would a fixed batten job suffice?

I have no doubt this has been asked before but as the search function isn't working I can't find previous threads... What's the best way to mount a Mexican Otomi embroidery on cotton? It measures 190 x 45 cm. The customer would like to see the wavy edge, so normally I'd stitch down to mountcard but ...

Thanks everyone for your advice and especially the step by step instructions vintage frames! A slip would be easier but I think it may look a bit too traditional for their tastes. Anyway I will put both options to them and see what they say. I agree it's a lot of work/faff but it sounds like a gilde...

Hi all,

I have a customer wanting a chunky oak frame with gold leaf sight edge. I've never done gold leaf before but I'm up for trying it. Any tips and advice? How much would you charge for it? Or is there an easier way to get the same look?
Thanks in advance!

Thanks everyone for you replies - all really helpful and has given me lots to think about and research. Preservation/longevity is definitely desirable as it has sentimental value although the customer is not too precious and seems happy for me to do what I see fit. Eek. I am nervous of using MDF as ...

Hello all, I'm looking for some advice... I have an old painted (acrylic I think) canvas which was previously stuck down to a very curvy piece of 3mm hardboard. I've managed to get it off without it tearing but now I need to stick it to a new board to get it flat. The paint is very dry and cracky so...

Hi, I'm interested. I've sent you a PM

I thought I would add an update about the mirror.... It's finished! It was a challenge for sure but I am really pleased with the result. I did make a template in the end using an angle measurer I bought from amazon. I borrowed a chopsaw to cut the angles - I had to make a jig for it to cut the acute...

Thanks all for the replies, I'm not scared to cut the mirror glass, although I will report back on how well it goes and we will see how foolish I am! I'm hearing you about the template - it makes sense, and I've looked at the space again and it isn't really that big. I think it was a mountain/molehi...

Thank you all very much for your quick replies. Luckily she is after a natural wood frame and not in a particular hurry so I can fiddle about with it. I have a band clamp but it’s a very cheap one from screwfix so I might invest in a Bessey one as suggested. The space is pretty big so I may not be a...

Hi I am wondering if there is anyone out there with experience of making frames to fit funny spaces and where the angles are not going to be 90 degrees. My friend wants me to make a mirror to fit the space at the top of her stairs (the back wall in the attached pic) the top two corners will be 90 de...

Many thanks for your welcome wishes. Yes Peter, Rice & Things are still there - They are a bit of a Bristol landmark although I have to admit I've never eaten there. The city has become a hotspot for new and trendy eateries in recent years although some of the originals are still the best! Rachel

Thanks Steve, that's really helpful. I have struggled in the past operating hand staplers, probably because my girls hands have less strength in them (not that I like to admit it!). That's why I was leaning towards air operated.

Hello everyone,
I am new to the forum. I have been framing for 8 years and have now set up my own small business in Bristol. I am still learning, and have found the advice and experience shared in this forum very useful over the last year. Hoping to be part of your community
Rachel