Conservation Felt or backing

[shiltonphoto]

Just a quick question - I've been asked to frame a 'sampler' of a friends mothers cross stitch they did in school back in 1882!

I have also remembered an article from the October edition of Art Business Today, here Chris A Paschke mounted a rug on a felt backing, and was wanting to do a similar idea for the sampler as the colours are quite faded, so I was wanting to add a bit of colour, matching what is left on the cross stitch.

Obviously, I want to make sure that it's done 'conservation style', but as I've not done this before, are there any particular types of felt/cloth I can use? I've had a quick scout about on Lion, but can only find Brushed Nylon loop cloth - which won't do, I assume.

I'm planning on attending a conservation course this year, but just want to make sure I'm going down the right path with this one.

Any recommendations?

[Roboframer]

What some fabrics are finished/dyed with can be a concern, I'd go for good conservation board like artcare, but if fabric was the way I'd wash it first and my choice, in order of preference would be cotton, linen and polyester.

[JFeig]

The key to conservation mounting any textile to a backing made from a textile is that the backing textile has to be washed to remove all sizing and other contamination from the manufacturing process.

Second, always use a "ball end" needle to to the sewing so that you do not cut the threads of the item being framed. Have a gap between the art and the glazing at all times and keep the framed piece out of direct light even with UV filtering glazing.

[shiltonphoto]

Thanks guys,

I've always been interested in conservation framing, so I'll take a look at your suggestions and see how it goes. I think I might also invest in one of the books from the FineArt website to assist.

It's all very interesting - many thanks once again...

Chris.