| By :
Autumn Lockwood
The first step in framing your cross-stitch is to select a picture frame and mat combination according to the artwork itself. The right frame can transform a cross-stitched piece into a cherished heirloom. You may choose a jeweled ornate picture frame, or maybe a more basic picture frame would be better. You should consider both your own tastes and also the decorations in whatever room you are going to hang it up in. The following step after choosing the mat that you like is cutting the backing so it is the same size as the mats you have selected. Backing can be made from matboard or foam-core. Cut a square hole out of the backing that's a quarter inch bigger all around the mat window. Stick double sided stitchery tape all along every edge of the portion that is cut out; eventually this will become the back side. Attach the backing which has the hole cut out of it to the selected mat with the double sided tape. Once you make sure the cross-stitch is fully centered in the window, simply push the cutout into the window (the side that doesn't have the design will be in the direction of the cross stitched piece's back.) Centering the stitchery exactly in the middle may take a few tries. Pick a corner that appears just about how you want your completed piece to look, and then start to pull the material through the back and attach it to the stitchery tape which is on the back. Work from that first corner and go all the way around. You'll probably have to make some readjustments by pulling on certain parts once more or even numerous times until it is correct. When done, tape the backing into the window by using framing tape. Make a sheet of scrap mat to fit over the back of the piece. Lastly, fit the "package" directly into your selected picture frame and secure it. Use some craft paper to put on the back of the frame and then fasten your choice of hanger, whether it is a sawtooth hanger or eyehooks with picture wire. Whether or Not to Use Glass The climate and the location in your house where this piece is going to be hung have a great deal to do with coming up with the decision as to whether or not you want to use glass, commonly known as glazing in the framing circle. You should use glass if you are living in a very dry climate. Accumulation of dust can seriously affect the fabric of any unglazed selection of cross-stitch. If you are going to hang your piece where the conditions may be humid, like in a bathroom or perhaps your kitchen, you should always glaze the cross-stitch and seal it up securely. The high humidity in these particular areas can result in severe damage to the fabric. When a piece is not sealed well this may result in condensation building up on the glass and this can eventually lead to problems with mold and mildew. When the climate you live in is humid and the average humidity does not ever really go below 20%, you are almost guaranteed to have problems with sealing your cross-stitch well enough that dampness won't be a issues. In fact for this reason, framing professionals create rooms in which the humidity is controlled. So if your normal climate is like this, you really should take your cross-stitch to a framing professional so that they will be able to seal it, or else just leave it unglazed. If you do choose not to glaze the piece, you should probably not hang it up in the kitchen, as your fabric is likely to get damaged by grease and any other oils in the air. So don't forget to make use of these tips and you will surely treasure your splendidly preserved cross-stitch for quite a few years to come.
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