How to turn your cross stitch, needlepoint, and other material works into works of art
Over the years we have framed hundreds of cross stitches, embroideries, needlepoints, crewels and other needlework pieces. Stretching needlework can be quite challenging as the material tends to form into a diamond shape during the stitching process making it difficult to straighten the image. Due to thread counts and visible stitching on the needlework, stretching it even a little off square can leave a work that looks messy and unprofessional. So make sure it is evenly stretched before you frame it.
Once you have stretched your needlework you are ready to have it framed. Needleworks can be framed with or without glass. With no glass, you will get a clear, visible finish with no reflection. However, framing with glass can protect it from dust and dirt and also help protect the colours from fading. This choice is often a personal preference as both can look great. You can also add mat boards around your piece using one or a few different colours to highlight certain areas of the image. A needlepoint is generally made with wool, which is normally thicker than thread, so often a wider frame is a better fit. While crewels, on the other hand are made with a thinner, more fine thread so they look great using a thinner, more elegant frame. Every needlework piece is different and it’s just a matter of finding the right frame, one that suits your art work as well as your budget.
Here are some recent needlepoint and cross stitch framing projects we’ve completed. Enjoy!
