topic Re: Framing Scarves in Home

Framing Scarves

Kachina624 — Fri, 03 May 2019 02:21:03 GMT

@Drythe. @lolakimono. Didn't want to step on your teacher thread, Lola, but I have a question for the two of you since you're experienced scarf framers.

I got this scarf recently by Laurel Burch who does all the stylized cats. I love it too much to actually use so I thought about having it framed. I hesitate becase it's silk and about as thin and fragile as it could possibly be. Its not old but is thinner than tissue paper. Do you think there's a way it could be done?

Re: Framing Scarves

blackhole99 — Fri, 03 May 2019 02:56:02 GMT

Love that, I have a LB cat pin I bought probably 20 years ago.

Re: Framing Scarves

Drythe — Fri, 03 May 2019 03:11:31 GMT

P@Kachina624

Not stepping at all! 😃 Beautiful scarf! Horsies!

I do think it it could be done. The reason is because I have had 2 done already, and one waiting for framing fund to build up.

One is a scarf from Japan, made during WW2 of parachute silk. It is hand painted, and pretty fragile. It was gifted to me by an older friend whose Dad brought it home from the occupation.

The other is hand painted silk from Thailand. I found it in an antique/junk shop. It is also very old and fragile.

If you don’t want to take a chance with it, you might want to take it to a professional framer (I did) curator type, not a Marshall’s type - No shade intended, but someone who specializes in antique prints, or the like. Or you might take a chance elsewhere.

Talk with them, they should be able to tell you if it will survive.

I think you will be very pleased, and that it will be a show piece in your home.

Good luck!

Re: Framing Scarves

Kachina624 — Fri, 03 May 2019 03:14:58 GMT

Thanks, @Drythe. Were yours mounted on something using an adhesive or were they gently stretched? Beautiful painting on the parachute silk, real collector's piece. Yes, framing is so expensive, you definitely need a "fund".

Re: Framing Scarves

Kachina624 — Fri, 03 May 2019 03:18:07 GMT

@blackhole99. They sell a lot of Laurel Burch on Zulily. That's where I got the scarf. I have trouble resisting her horses.

Re: Framing Scarves

Drythe — Fri, 03 May 2019 04:41:34 GMT

@Kachina624

They were mounted on acid free paper using rice powder paste. The paste can be washed out if you ever want to un-mount it. It and the acid free paper will keep them from being damaged, and keep bugs from being attracted to the silk. He did not stretch them as he said it might, over time, put too much pressure on the silk and thus cause it to tear. But looking at my pieces they appear very flat and straight, so stretching must not be necessary. Also, I know you know, they should be kept out of direct sunlight, more of a problem for you than me.

Goodness yes, I grab up street vendor watercolors, and prints from places I travel, my framing fund is larger than my clothing budget. Currently I have a beautiful piece of lace work (round) from the Lace Isle close to Venice. I know it will need a mat as the others did not, and cutting a round mat must cost like smoke. Similar items are all around our home, and bring us both great pleasure and many good memories.

I'm sure you will enjoy weaving stories of the framed horses escapades.

I have a Good photo of a few of the Lipizzaner Stallions I took in Prague last fall, several are standing, gazing over the stall wall eyes half closed.

So gorgeous, I know they must be plotting princely doings for their free time.

Please keep us posted as you move forward with this. You will love having it in your home, and visitors will likely not have seen anything like it.

Re: Framing Scarves

libbyannE — Fri, 03 May 2019 05:12:45 GMT

I would definitely have a good framer do a float mounting inside a mat.

Re: Framing Scarves

Kachina624 — Fri, 03 May 2019 05:33:42 GMT

@libbyannE. What's a float mount?

Re: Framing Scarves

Sooner — Fri, 03 May 2019 06:41:56 GMT

I agree if you have a local, owner run frame shop, try them. Hobby Lobby and other places like that have teenagers do the work, price it at a zillion dollars and then give you "half off" and the local frame shop might not be much higher priced and know what they are doing.

Shop around before you spend money on framing as a rule--just saying.

Re: Framing Scarves

Lilysmom — Fri, 03 May 2019 20:43:32 GMT

@Kachina624 , no wonder you want to frame it. Here is a link about framing Hermes scarves. Not suggesting a DIY but it is interesting to read.

https://betweennapsontheporch.net/frame-a-hermes-silk-scarf-with-museum-glass-for-maximum-protection-and-clarity.

if you do frame it, come back and show us the result. Good luck! LM

Re: Framing Scarves

lolakimono — Fri, 03 May 2019 09:54:05 GMT

@Kachina624

It won't be a problem. Mine was also silk and thin. Mine is permanently mounted, because I wasn't going to wear it either. I had to do a double frame, because the frame had to be a certain width to support the size of the glass. I believe it was 34", although the exact size was custom too.

Re: Framing Scarves

riley1 — Fri, 03 May 2019 12:07:14 GMT

@Kachina624 - That scarf is absolutely gorgeous.

Re: Framing Scarves

NickNack — Fri, 03 May 2019 12:32:16 GMT

That's a beautiful scarf @Kachina624 .

Re: Framing Scarves

deeva — Fri, 03 May 2019 13:01:27 GMT

I’ve had several fragile items float mounted, and it does cost more but definitely worth it IMO.

Re: Framing Scarves

ECBG — Fri, 03 May 2019 13:16:43 GMT

@Drythe I would love to see some of your scarves if you don't mind posting them.

Re: Framing Scarves

SilleeMee — Fri, 03 May 2019 13:47:30 GMT

I love your scarf @Kachina624 .

I know a person who worked at an art-framing shop. We we personal friends so I got to learn a few things about framing in general. One thing that you might want to consider if you do decide to frame your scarf, is to choose a non-glare glass in your piece. I'm pretty sure you know about this kind of glass. I have several lithos framed with it and it makes such a difference.

Re: Framing Scarves

Libbylady — Fri, 03 May 2019 15:23:51 GMT

I retired several years ago after having my own frame shop for 43 years. I agree that a custom framer is the way to go on something that is important to you.

A lot goes into framing a scarf or fabric that you don't see.

The fabric should not touch the glass, so depending on the look you desire, matting can be used, or spacers that lift the glass.

I would not recommend non-glare glass on any art piece since it needs to be right next to the art in order to achieve clarity. There are other glass options that have UV protection or "glare free clear glass.

The frame will need to be fairly heavy in order to support the weight of the glass, if the scarf is large. If less frame is your choice, look at a harder wood such as oak. Double framing is a nice look, but should not be necessary.

Re: Framing Scarves

Drythe — Fri, 03 May 2019 18:45:04 GMT

@Libbylady

What a variety of pieces you must have seen in your work; I bet some amazing, some beautiful, and some ... interesting! People do frame all kinds of things, don’t they?

Just based on my own eye, I like free and clear glass much more than non-glare which makes things look ‘fuzzy’ to me.

If you don’t mind, would you share some of the most interesting / unusual things your clients brought in?

Thanks!

Re: Framing Scarves

libbyannE — Fri, 03 May 2019 21:18:40 GMT

@Kachina624

Loose except for the top, so one can really see what the item is. A deckle-edge block print, for example, would typically be floated so one can see the edges. The scarf is so lovely that I would think floating it with only the top attached would be wonderful. A good framer, ideally a textiles specialist, would be able to recommend the appropriate way to attach the top.

Re: Framing Scarves

lovesrecess — Sat, 04 May 2019 02:02:26 GMT

I have several LB pins, totes, and scarves I bought probably 20 years ago...didn’t know she did horses...