How To Stretch Mount A Cross Stitch Needlework

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Mona Majorowicz of Wild Faces Gallery.

The artwork or content in this lens may not be used or reproduced, either
in part or in whole, without the express written consent from the artist.

I've been a professional picture framer for over 20 years and in that time I've stretched quite literally thousands of cross stitches. I have maintained some of the same customers for all that time and I feel honored they they trust me enough to frame their precious needlework, that they willingly ship it across many states instead of getting it framed locally.

So from my many years of experience I have learned a couple of things about what makes a beautiful cross stitch and will share them here..

* Always wash your hands before working on your cross stitch Oils from your hands can sink into the fabric and may not come out even with washing.

If there is not a lot of extra fabric serge the edges so it doesn't fray when working on it or when framing it. If you have plenty of extra surrounding aida around the stitched image there is no real need to do this.

* Avoid tight stitches A couple of things happen when you do this. The cross stitch pulls at an angle and may not stretch straight. Also if the framer pulls too hard on it to get it straight, some of your stitches may pop.

* Always stitch in the same direction. This allows for your finished needlework to look smooth and tapestry like.

* Do Not tie off your stitches using knots. Simply thread them through other stitches to hold in place. Knotting your floss will cause it to be lumpy when framed. The back side of your cross stitch should be neat and you should be able to see the image as clearly from the back as from te front.

* Bleed check your floss. I'm not sure if this is as important as it used to be but it's a good idea to soak floss for bleeding before using it. This way when you wash it before framing it, your colors won't run. Also occasionally a picture framer may use a liquid relaxer so even if you've no plans to wash it, it may still get wet and bleed.

* Try not leave cross stitches in hoops too long. Sometimes the ring marks don't wash out.

Roll Your Cross Stitch When Not Working On it Much like leaving your needlework in a hoop, folding your stitchery may cause creases and grunge lines that don't wash out.

* Wash (with a mild soap) and if necessary iron your cross stitch before having it framed. Not all frameshops offer this service for you.

Steps For Stretching Your Cross Stitch

First Things First: Wash Your Hands!

You'd be surprised how much natural oil clean hands contain. This makes it very important to wash your hands before starting this framing project. You will be pulling on the aide cloth while stretching and there will be an oil transfer which will stain or yellow the fabric over time. If you're going to the effort of stretch mounting and framing your needlework you should definitely do it up right.

Since I already told you NOT to use sticky boards for mounting your needle work, I thought I'd best give you a do-it-yourself option.

There are various way frame shops mount cross stitch and needlework with some being more effective add keep the aida cloth running straight than others. Here's the way I was taught when I worked the framing dept. for a museum. I like this method because it really allows you to do the best job possible at getting the cross stitch straight as well as being pretty much totally reversible. It's a slower method but I believe the benefits are worth the time.

What You'll Need To Mount Your Cross Stitch.
Acid Free Foam Core 3/16 in diameter.
1/2 - 3/4 inch sequin (straight) pins
Push Pins (not absolutely necessary but they make things easier)
Acid Free Tape
A Utility Knife For Cutting Foamboard

NOTE: I'm a firm believer in using acid free products whenever you can. So often people think their cross stitch project isn't worth the extra cost but the truth is a beautifully done cross stitch becomes a family heirloom. And by using quality products now you'll help preserve it for future generations.

A Few Things To Consider When Framing Your Cross Stitch

* Use glass when framing your cross stitch if you plan to hang it anywhere it may get dirty. Like in a kitchen, near a fireplace, In a bathroom if you have dust issues in your home, or if you or a family member is a smoker to name a few. This will save you from the expense of having it torn apart to be washed and then re-framed.

* Be sure there is an air space between the needlework and the glass. as this prevent mold growth. An airspace can be achieved by simply adding a mat ot two or using framing spacers.

* Don't use tacky boards For Framing Your Cross Stitch Most are not acid free and can after a number of years yellow your needlework from the acids in the board or it's adhesive.

Steps For Padding Your Cross Stitch

Steps For DIY Mounting Your Cross Stitch
Step 1. Cut piece of Acid Free foam board the size you need to frame it. If you are planning on matting it you can cut an opening in the center of it which you'll stretch your cross stitch and then push back in. Be sure that the board is square (as in not crooked) because you will be using it as a guide for stretching your cross stitch.

Step 2.. Center your cross stitch on the foam board. And use a couple push pins on each side to hold it in place. Do this by pushing the pins into the edge of the foam board. Do Not Push Into Face of the foam board.

Step 3. Beginning on one edge pull aida cloth straight using the edge of the foam board as your guide and pin along one side.

NOTE: I often start pinning in a corn and then expand out on two edges at the same time. For me this seems to help me keep things more straight.

Step 4. When finished with the push pins all around. Pull out a handfull ( 5-10) and begin replacing them with the sequin pins. Again push sequin pins into side edge of the foam board. This steps will also help make the minute adjustments for getting your needle art to be even more straight.

NOTE: Get some 1/2 or 3/4 inches straight pins. The shorter the better since they are going into the edge of the foamcore board. Longer pins are far more difficult to use in this way. but these really are hard to come by. Even most Hobby Lobby or Crafting stores don't carry pins this small.

Step 5. Push back into center ring and tape into place.

Step 6. Pull extra aida to the back of the mounting board and tape into place so they lay flat.

Add your mat to your finished mounted cross stitch. If no matting is being used you are done.

Q: Should I ash my cross stitch before having it framed?
A: Yes. Most frameshops do not clean needlework. So you can use either a mild soap or get it dry cleaned. Be sure that none of your colors will bleed before wetting the needlework.

Q: Should I Use Starch?
A: It's not generally necessary but if you do make sure it's a light starch. Heavily starched needlework can be hard to stretch straight.

Q: Should I Frame With Glass?
A: This is a personal decision I prefer glass because it really helps protect the cross stitch from air born pollutants as well as bugs. If you choose not to use glass applying scotch guard might be a good idea.

Q: Do I need to worry about fraying edges on my aida cloth?
A: Generally not unless you have very little extra aida around your stitched image. An inch or more and you should be fine.

Q: What's the best way to prevent fraying?
A: Serging with a sewing machine is quick and easy as well as archival. I know many stitchers who tape or use fray check though.

Q: Ideally how much extra fabric do you need for framing a cross stitch?
A: That depends on the cross stitch image, the frame shop preferences and the size of the stitchery. A good rule of thumb is no less than 1 inch beyond the area you want to show when framed. So be sure to factor in surrounding aida that will be visible in this equation. 2 inches is really nice. Much more than that will most likely be cut away and just a waste of fabric.

Q: My Cross Stitch Looks dingier now that it's framed, why?
A: If your cross stitch is on white or light colored cloth when the cross stitch is stretched it's put over a white mounting board which makes smudges show up more. To check how clean you cross stitch really is before framing lay it on a bright white surface and examine it under a bright light.

If My Cross Stitch Fabric is made up of symmetrical squares why isn't my cross stitch framed straight?
Well this can happen for two reason.
1. The stitches were pulled too tight and thus skewed and rippled the cross stitch
2. Due to the shape of some cross stitch patterns there is a lot of stitching in the center but then far less on some dangling bits to the image. Once again the fabric was pulled tight where the stitching is heavy and remains loose where the stitching is light.

My name is Mona Majorowicz I am a professional artist who has been making my living selling my work for some time now. I am an animal artist, (meaning I paint critters) who works primarily in Oil Pastel or Water Soluble Pencil.

I own and operate Wild Faces Gallery with my husband Mike in a small rural town in Iowa. There we sell my original artwork and prints, as well as do quality custom framing and offer Giclee printing for other artists as well as for ourselves. I have over 20 years in ate art and framing industry both as a business owner and as a working artist.

I maintain a blog called Fur In The Paint, as well as write a regular column for the equestrian magazine Apples 'N Oats about painting horses.

Animals are my passion and art is how I chose to express it.