Framed

Update on this WIP... which is now a completed FWYH project that actually came together rather nicely much to my surprise.  Because, you know, how often does that happen?  I was a little nervous at the start with having to plunge this into a tepid water bath,  hoping beyond hope that all the wool was colorfast and didn't bleed all over the  place.  I've had this happen recently with an old red & white Irish Chain quilt top I had plans of restoring.  Oh the anguish!  Still not sure what I'm going to do about it either.  Luckily the yarns didn't run here though and it came out refreshed and ready for blocking.  I used ordinary push-pins and ceiling board that I had on hand, the back of which is porous, but I think you could probably use any kind of flat sturdy board that pins can be poked into. 

With most needlework pieces, there is a certain amount of distortion due to the tension of yarns pulling in different directions, so the goal of blocking is to bring it back into square and to remove the puckering.  So starting in the center of each edge, I placed the pins and worked out, tugging and pulling gently as I went along, until everything was where it should be.  Then I let it dry a few days before removing it from the board.  The final measurements came to 10.5" x 14" not exactly a standard frame size, so the past week was spent mulling over custom frame choices and mat colors, but I still couldn't make a decision.  Nothing seemed quite right.  For some reason, I started rummaging around in a box of old frames I've collected over the years, mostly odd sizes that didn't work for anything else, and not really expecting to find anything in particular but hoping for some kind of direction to go instead.  And would you believe I actually found a frame?  A lovely old frame with the exact dimensions?  What are the odds?

 

I still can't believe it.  But there it was.  A little scratched and a little beat up, but nothing a little Minwax didn't fix.  A perfect fit. I'm just so tickled!     

 

Comments

[Debbie]

The crewel looks just beautiful, and the frame goes with it perfectly.
I had similar luck with a frame some years ago which I bought at a flea market. I didn't know the exact dimensions of the print I needed it for, but when I got it home it fit just right.

[Debbie]

The crewel looks just beautiful, and the frame goes with it perfectly.
I had similar luck with a frame some years ago which I bought at a flea market. I didn't know the exact dimensions of the print I needed it for, but when I got it home it fit just right.

[Mrs. Staggs]

Gasp!...I can't believe you put it into water, I would never have had the courage. I was thinking you would be taking it to a professional. All that work!! It turned out truly lovely Vicki. I like the house on the hill.

[Mama Urchin]

The crewel looks really, really beautiful. I love that little squirrel. What a great project to finish.

[Gina]

Glad to see that everything worked out. I don't know if I could have done the first plung into the water..LOL I looks wonderful all framed up. The all those detail! Something to be proud of.

[pam]

Love how it turned out. And yahoo it didn't run. For you red and white quilt, try a little synthopol and just keep washing with those dye catcher sheets. Its worked for me.

Thanks for the lovely inspiration.

[Laurie]

Jewel, indeed. It looks fabulous in the frame!

[Dawn]

oooh! that is sooo pretty! it turned out just right!

[Paula]

I really love your blog, I have never commented before but I wanted to offer a little tip I learned from my days custom framing needlework. If you add a little layer of quilt batting between the piece and your backing, it will smooth out all the lumpies you get from knots and so forth without making it look like trapunto. You can affix the quilt batting with a very light spraying of a fixative adhesive on the backing, lay the piece of quilt batting down (cut it 1/4 to 1/2 inch larger than the backing), and stretch your needlework over the edges. It gives it a very professional look.

I love this crewel piece. My mother taught me years ago, but I never stuck with it. This piece makes me want to go back and try it again!

[Sarah]

That looks just gorgeous - and thank you for explaining how to block something like this. I think I may have to rescue some pieces in my parents' attic and frame them like this :)

[Michele]

Vicki, I love this and it reminded me of this morning, in my basement, finding an old frame similar to this one that used to have a damaged needlework sampler. I took a look at it and thought I will work on the sampler I have started. I am currently working on my Niece's quilt, for FWYH! My first to be finished project in a long time. I thank you for YOUR encouragement to keep me moving along with projects I love, even with all of our daily work.

[lauren]

Vicki! It's stunning. Your girls are fortunate to have access to your talent. I can't believe you had it just laying around unfinished--all that work! I'm so happy for you that it is finally done and properly showcased. Btw, your package FINALLY went out yesterday. Hope you enjoy all the goodies, especially the tag sale stuff, it's all definitely going to the right home. It's supposed to arrive on Thursday. Keep me posted.

hugs,
lauren

[Michelle]

WOW!! It looks fantastic in that frame - and I am so glad that its beauty can now be enjoyed properly (now that its out of the trunk!). Thanks for the info on blocking also, that helps me know what to do to frame some of my own stitched pieces.

[Wendy]

Wow! This is really inspiring. Thanks for showing how to block the fabric.

[Kelli]

It is absolutlely stunning!! Wow! It looks wonderful in the frame and how neat that you found just the right size!! I love the little squirrel and bunny rabbit. :0)
Kelli

[myra]

Gorgeous!

[Jackie]

That turned out so beautifully! The frame is perfect and sounds like the blocking and everything worked out nicely. From rediscovering it to framing it - it was just all meant to be!!

[June]

It's stunning! I know you must feel quite wonderful that you finished this beautiful piece and can enjoy it.

[prairiemouse]

vicki, it is so beautiful! what satisfaction and the frame.....meant to be!
louise x

[Marie]

I'm going to echo everyone else...it's so amazing and beautiful (love, love the little squirrel with the french knot tail)! What a wonderfil FWYH project. :)

[clarice]

Just perfect !!! Clarice

[Dannielle]

oh wow!! it's just stunning framed! an absolute work of art!!

[littlejennywren]

Beautiful!

[Pam Kellogg]

Vicki, that is stunning! And oh so charming!

[LauraJ]

Hello, I'm not new to your blog, I've been reading for quite some time now. Your stuff inspires me!
For the quilt that bled, is it possible to dye it? Like turn it into a pink and red quilt. The white would absorb pink dye or whatever dye color you use. Just a thought.

[Dianne]

It's so nice to finish something special like this. I love how it turned out too!

[Wanda (swan-artegan)]

Your crewel piece is gorgeous. I've had the color run from the stitching onto the background before so I'm glad you were able to prevent that. Your blocking worked well too. I usually do my stitching on a piece with batting attached because I also like the quilted effect it produces. Keep up the good work!

[Angie]

Vicky-Wow , you never cease to amaze! I have missed reading your lovely posts!

[Kelly]

Glad to see that you've completed it! It's really beautiful. And finding an old frame that you had stored away completes the story so well! Bravo!

[Sadie]

Its absolutely beautiful. What a treasure.

[Sharon G.]

That's amazing....I'm in awe.

[Stacey]

I actually gasped when I saw your beautiful crewel project. It looks like it would be a fun project with all the different motifs and colors! I absolutely love it! What a perfect frame too!

[Blair]

Vicki, this is beautiful. What a great feeling to have this done. I love the detail, it looks complicated! I have a Christmas pillow started around the same year (embroidery, much less complicated), maybe I'll actually finish it this year.