Boards for Mounting Needlework?

[RobM]

Hi All,

A minor query regarding framing needlework pieces: what type of board do you use to wrap the fabric round? Is it the norm to make do with a piece of foam core, or even mount card?

[Justintime]

I always use cotton rag mountboard facing the work. I EVA some foamboard to the back of the cotton mountboard to add rigidity. That's how I was taught by an Advanced Guild framer.

[Tudor Rose]

I avoid using foamcore unless I'm going to pin the fabric. In which case I do bond Level 1 or Level 2 board to foamboard.

But for everything else I would use minimum 2.4mm Level 2 mountboard - or Level 1 boards (bonded together if necessary for rigidity) if working to Level 1 standards.

And that's how this Advanced framer teaches her students which just goes to prove once again that there is always more than one way to do something in this industry.

[RobM]

Many thanks, Justin and Jo.

On this subject, I imagine there are some clients who would be happy with a frame and glass, without a bordering mat. Is it imperative to have a mat for cross stitches, if only to keep the work off the glass?

[Tudor Rose]

Not imperative to have a mount at all. In fact we only have them on about 50% of the needlework pieces we do. Lots of design reasons to have or not have to suit.

If no mount then it absolutely IS imperative to have a spacer of some kind to lift the glass away from the surface of the fabric.

[JKX]

I used 4 ply board for smaller, light pieces - up to about 14x14” (image size, not glass size), then 8 ply and beyond, usually made up by bonding 4 ply together.

Unbuffered board is recommended for wool, so needlepoint. crewel etc, and silk. There’s limited choice but it doesn’t have to be a board, a board can be covered in unbuffered tissue and so can the back of a window mount. Not using it isn’t the end of the world though!

https://www.gohardware.co.uk/products/l ... cm-12-pack

Quilt wadding can give a “cushioned” effect and “soak up” bulky areas on the back of the fabric. This can go on top of a mounting board directly against the fabric, or under a fabric-covered board. Cut it slightly smaller than the image size for the best effect.

[RobM]

Jo and John,

Thanks for your responses. These are extremely helpful!