Holy crap, I finished something!

[dianec42]

Started back in February, which now seems like several lifetimes ago. Put down in early August before vacation. Just picked it up again this evening and... if I'd realised it was that close to done, maybe I would have picked it up earlier. (Or maybe not... the metallic fractional backstitches are SO EVIL!)

Comments

[deguspice.livejournal.com]

Yeah!

She's purple and she's your's!

[usqueba.livejournal.com]

WOW! She looks great! :)

[dianec42.livejournal.com]

Hey, you don't happen to know a good framing shop in the area, do you?

[usqueba.livejournal.com]

:/ Sorry. I don't know of *any* framing shops.

[whc.livejournal.com]

Framing is usually pretty simple and framesbymail.com sells the supplies at good prices.

[dianec42.livejournal.com]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha (deep breath) NO!

I've never framed anything this big, and I'm not about to start with this one. I'm'a call Needle Points West today and see who they recommend. :P

[fenicedautun.livejournal.com]

I can probably get some names from the needlework ladies near LA if you need. of course, you could go on the bb and ask yourself...

[deguspice.livejournal.com]

Look in the phone book? (The actual paper thing with yellow pages)

[dianec42.livejournal.com]

They have a heading for GOOD frame shops now? This I gotta see.

[sharikkamur.livejournal.com]

Woo-hoo! Purple! She is very nice indeed.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_darkvictory/]

It's inspiring anytime someone finishes a needlework project. A purple, sparkly needlwork project is just that much better.

[dianec42.livejournal.com]

I've never actually finished anything this big before. I'm not entirely sure what to do next!

[ericavdg.livejournal.com]

She looks better here than on Facebook! The local Joanne's framed my crewel geishas; obviously they send the stuff out somewhere but all the work they've done for me has been good. I've also been pleased with Michaels, but I've never had them do needlework.

[fenicedautun.livejournal.com]

Do not have Michael's do needlework. Bad idea. (I can share the horror stories, but you're better off not knowing)

[ericavdg.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the warning. Most needlework I stretch and frame myself the way my dad, a fiber artist, taught me. The geishas picture was large and rather warped so I handed it over to a professional.

[dianec42.livejournal.com]

Do not have Michael's do needlework.

I kind of had that impression. Now I think I might remember who I got it from. <3

[dianec42.livejournal.com]

Can I get some horror stories please? Someone is being a naive little so-and-so and suggesting we should try framing it ourselves ... I need details of how it can go wrong!

[fenicedautun.livejournal.com]

My dad does all my framing, so it is totally doable to frame it yourself. I'm assuming you're putting this in an actual frame? Good. Now, you will need to decide all the framing details (just like you would taking it to a framer), what frame, whether you will be using mats or glass, etc. Now, you have to stretch the needlework on foam core the size to fit in the frame you have chosen.

Horror story 1: You should ideally be using acid free foam core. Michaels' framers apparently sometimes use the stickyboard (where one entire side of the foam core is sticky) and put the needlework on that, often discoloring the fabric.

Once you have your piece of foam core cut out, you need to either pin or lace (or both, I know my dad often does both) the piece onto the foam core. If you feel like you need more fabric, you can sew the entire piece on a piece of muslin or sew muslin around the edges. For pinning, use stainless steel pins (I forget the type, but I'll come back to that), for lacing just use white or undyed thread. Once the piece is on your foam core, then frame as you would frame a picture.

There are how-tos on the net about how to pin and lace onto foam core. do a search. Summer Truswell may have some, TKDChick (username) I know has referenced some, there are often how-tos on the bboards I frequent (find them through www.twdesignworks.com).

Worst Michaels' horror story? Framer liked the piece so much, she took it home to show her mum, and the store had no idea where it was or when it would be back. I don't think that one was ever returned.

[not-the-pope.livejournal.com]

Very nice! From the pic it looks like a 3-D effect on the skirt. Well done!