I spent the weekend with my foot up. Â I am so bad at sitting, but I did it. Â Ruby was super happy to hang out with me.
One of the best things for me to do when I have to have my leg up is cross stitch.
That’s what I did. Â I finished one up and started another. Â I love the selection process and picking out the next one to work on…next up a mini ABC sampler…as of writing this, I don’t have a single stitch in place. Â I just know that one is up next.
One of the last times I wrote about cross stitching I asked for some advice on framing. Â Well I got lots including some suggestions to buy some thrifted frames and have Hubby cut them down for me. Â Well after watching a few youtube videos, here is our first joint effort on cutting the frame down, framing and mounting my cross stitch piece.
All of the things I am working on now are small so they aren’t hard to do.
We were happy enough with our efforts that I found and measured more frames for him to cut and hopefully after this week, I’ll have a couple more framed. Â I can start back to work but I have to still keep my leg up as much as possible so evenings, I’ll be working on these.
I am so happy that I figured out how to cross stitch again. Â I need something to do when I’m taking it easy. Â Cross stitch has been perfect.
One more question for you cross stitchers…Do I put glass in when I mount them? Â Hubby thinks I should. Â Me, I don’t know.
Yes I would put a glass and a matte so the cross stitch does not touch the glass…. why…. to keep the dust off the piece….
Ah, the glass or no glass dilemma. I prefer looking at the on the wall with no glass because the glass glare always seem to obscure part of the piece. Susie is right about dust but the can be vacuumed. I guess I figure I’m stitching them for me to see and glass glare prevents full enjoyment.
You also want to keep any moisture/condensation off the fabric. If you don’t want to use a matte because it will increase the size of frame needed, they make small plastic spacers to hold the glass off the piece.
Haven’t cross stitched in years. But it use to be to not use glass to get the texture . If you do use glass- my preference -to put spacers so the glass doesn’t touch the cross stitch as it causes deterioration, I have a lot of dust due to our wood stove which is why I like glass.
Tina is correct and also the frame sometimes is not deep enough to hold the spacers, glass and mounted item. Small ones like what you have in the picture are just fine without as long as they are kept dusted or vacuumed. This reminds me of a piece that I have in the works that needs to be done soon for a gift!
I use glass, but only because my kids are still young and we move frequently, often living in dusty houses. When my kids are a little older and we’re permanently settled, I may take the glass out of my stitched pieces, because I think the glass dulls the colors of my stitched pieces.
You have done a lovely job on the cross stitch and the framing! Nice work!
When I was doing cross stitch I usually used glass to keep the dust and moisture out. I have used non glare glass to deal with reflections but it is slightly frosted.
I like the look of a mat. It’s like a border on a quilt. It helps focus your attention on the stitching.
I’m glad you seem to be recovering well. I hope that continues!
I prefer glass with spacers but also have one with a matte and spacers. My pieces are much larger than yours but one thing no one has mentioned is insect/bug damage. I have a clean house but in this area we have lots of stink bugs. One bug can make a mess on curtains or fabrics before you even realize they’re in the house. I don’t find glare to be a problem.
I owned a cross stitch shop and did framing. The most important thing is to not have glass touching the stitching so glass is fine with a mat or spacers or often when not using a mat I would put some batting under the stitched piece, not polyester, to give a bit of softness. Others are right these are for you to enjoy. Great idea to use old frames that are cut down. The one you show is beautiful. Having had surgery on my foot cross stitch really helped to keep me resting.
It is a lovely piece and since I don’t cross stitch, I have no idea about the glass. I love the idea of cutting a frame down to fit, going to give that a try. Your project turned out great and its nice that you can find some time to stay off your foot.
Yes, you should put spacers in the frame between the stitcher and the glass and use glass. The dust and moisture in the air will do a real job on them if you don’t.
I’m looking at the posting times, and my goodness you people get up early! Or maybe I just slept late because I spent most of the day fishing at Matagorda? I don’t do cross stitching, but my sister and I have crewel work that our late mother did and had framed. No glass. Of course crewel is bumpier than cross stitch. What I can’t figure out though is why the background fabric on one has discolored, but the other one looks like new. Anyone know?
I agree, your pieces are lovely! I have about 20 framed pieces on my walls, none of which have glass. It’s a preference. In regards to discoloration, many things can cause that. Sometimes it’s leaching from the mounting board. Sometimes it’s oil from your hands that you only see after many years. If the piece is important to you, check with a good needlework shop about restoration services.
Put them under glass. It saves the fabrics from getting dusty and thread fading.
You and hubby did a good job cutting frame down. I would have never thought of that.
My niece has done amazing cross stitch. All the pieces are not glassed except for one that I wanted for the kitchen. Sometimes we are so hung up on preserving items that we forget we need to enjoy them today. My husband never wanted to put holes in the walls in case we were selling. Forty six years later, we have holes in the wall and we are surrounded by cross stitch, quilts, paintings, all that makes a home. So do what you can to enjoy them as soon as you have them stitched. Either way will make you happy.
I put mine under glass to protect it from dust and dirt. However, I’ve heard that you shouldn’t do that. Not sure why though.
Never use glass unless you also use a mat. You don’t want the glass to touch the stitching. Over time any needlework will be damaged if it is smashed up against the glass. This takes years but will eventually happen.
Your being laid up and off your feet, must make it seem like a vacation for Ruby. No day care kids to bother her, and she doesn’t have to keep following you around the house – she just gets to take a nap. Hope you are doing well with your recovery. Can you order in pizza?
I was told the only reason to put them behind glass was if they would be exposed to smoke. Because no one smokes at our house, I leave mine open. Isn’t it just like quilt fabric and need to breathe? I like the look better, but that is just my preference. I use the vacuum on them when needed or just wipe with dust cloth. I love those patterns that you are doing.
I have started cross stitching again since I found an around the neck magnifier and a bright clip to my hoop light. I use non-glare glass. It protects and you can hardly see it.
I used to cross stitch a lot and framed my work. I still have some of my samplers hanging. I always used the non-glare glass that had the uv block in it. Was a little more but you don’t have to worry about fading and dust/dirt getting onto your piece.
PS – there is a spacer between my stitched piece and the glass.
I have done tons of cross stitch but changed over to quilting some years ago. I rarely used glass on my framed cross stitch because of the additional cost. I did use glass over pieces that would hang in the kitchen to avoid kitchen debris (odor or grease) accumulating. I have just moved to a new house and it amazes me the amount of cross stitch that came with me. Looking at the backs, these are pieces framed by my husband and I, or framed at a shop or Michael’s, Hobby Lobby. My pieces all have padded backings so they puff out slightly and then framed; not many with mats. I am amazed at the dates of pieces that are 20-25 years old and don’t have stains or marks on them. So I’m thinking unless pieces are hung low, or are touched by animals or children over time, either in the stitching phase or while hanging, they have survived well without glass. The only one with difficulties is a pillow that was tan to begin with that now looks like it needs a good washing. My pillows are usually circulated by season, but this one must have stayed out a lot. Not preaching here, just telling my experience, that after the move and noting how old my pieces were, they look look ready to hang in their new space.
I use glass, but I’ve lived in houses with woodstove all my life. :) Beautiful work!
I know you’re supposed to use glass to protect the piece from dust, but I want to see the STITCHES! I think that glass hides all of the things about cross-stitching that I love.
Great idea to cut down thrift store frames — did it require a lot of specialized equipment, or is that maybe something I could manage with stuff from Hubby’s tool box?
Like so many other things, glass is a personal preference. I did a machine-embroidered piece last year for my granddaughter; it was a spiritual text with doves, flowers, etc. and so I had it matted and framed, and I used non-glare glass because I did want to protect it so she would have something to remember me by. If I use glass, it will always be the non-glare kind because it seems no matter where you hang it in a room, there are always lights that reflect off the glass. Non-glare costs more, but IMHO opinion, it is worth it. I JUST wish they would put non-glare glass on clock faces too! Your hubby did a wonderful job of cutting down the frame! The whole project, your work and his, is just outstanding!
It really is a matter of preference. If the piece will be exposed to prolonged contact with smoke, grease, or dirt; then glass with spacers especially if you are working with hand dyed fabric or floss. I have a kitchen piece that I washed after being framed for 25 years without glass. It really didn’t show dirt or grease when I took it apart. Fading usually isn’t much of a problem with todays window glass unless a piece is in direct sunlight for hours. Mats are preference also; if you like the look (and expense) go for it. “Antique” samplers were framed without either glass or mats and usually look better without mats. Mats can make certain projects especially more modern ones but again, it’s what you like.
And for the person wondering why one piece darkened and the other didn’t; it may be because a self-stick mat was used. If so, the piece can be taken apart and sun bleached to remove the darkness if you are willing to risk it. To sun bleach, dampen item and lay face down on grass in a sunny area several hours over several days. You can cover with a thin piece of white cloth if you are afraid of threads fading. This worked for me on a piece that went from dark brown to almost the original muslin color. Hope this is of use to you.
I have done both. When I use glass, it’s the non-glare variety. If I don’t use glass, I like to use some batting to give the piece a bit of depth. Your frame for “grateful heart” is beautiful