The Framers Forum

Hi i have a couple of framing jobs in and need some help. I have two soft leather pictures to frame. The customer wants to see the whole picture so i plan to float the image on mount board. Question, how do i attach / adhear the rough side of the leather to the mount board, It has been stored for a few months and is not perfectly flat so need to be under a bit of tension. Size is approx 40cm x 30cm. Customer tells me it is of very little value and was purchased in Mexico for a few Pesos.

Second question. I also have from the same customer an oil on canvas that has been stored so long it is now corrugated. I have tried stretching it but the corrugation remains. I am reluctant to put it under too much tension in case it splits. Any suggestion to getting it flat. It has been suggested i iron it with a cool iron!!

A tiny stitch here and there should hold the leather picture and not look out of place. Better than gluing.

The canvas might respond to humidifying to relax the fibres. Although you have to do this gradually.....
If it's something of little value then you could always try holding it over a boiling kettle and see what happens.

I have stitched items like this before, much easier if you use a leather needle.
I don't think I would tackle the oil myself, I would recommend someone who knows what they are doing

The condition of the whole oil painting needs to be determined, before anything can be attempted. General questions on the forum lead to general answers, but there are too many unknown factors, to be able to offer any reasonable advice in this situation.

Someone with experience needs to see this before offering any advice. I do a fair bit of restoration work myself and know what I am talking about. Hopefully another forum member local to yourself with the appropiate experience might agree to look at it for you and be willing to advise you.