Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Framing Quilts

I've always loved the idea of framing quilts - brings them to a different level.  With all the lectures and workshops I do which also involves hauling quilts around, framing is not practical and makes it impossible to bring a lot of work especially if you're flying. So I've held off until now.  I needed to have my Black and White piece - "The Flute Player" framed but decided to also try a natural wood frame in addition to the black frame on The Flute Player. For the other piece I chose Walnut which is a favorite wood of mine.  I've always called this type of frame a shadowbox but not so - it's a floater frame.  I did prepare the pieces ahead of time by stretching them over 3/4" stretcher bars.  I'm so pleased with the look of this piece, makes me want to go through my house and frame some more.
 I love the sides, so simple but elegant and just enough for the quilt.
 The quilt is mounted with around 1/4" between the frame and the edge of the piece - a perfect amount of space.
 The Flute Player which really needed a frame turned out great with the same frame in a black painted wood.
 And a close-up of the side.
 And you can see the 1/4" space in between.
I'm so happy with the results. I used Frameworks in Candler, NC. Robert Reitz is the owner and craftsman who does this beautiful work. The mitered corners were so tight and perfect, the finish so smooth and the back of it finished perfectly.
On another note, I haven't been the most diligent blogger lately - just so much traveling this spring and tomorrow I'm off again to Texas to teach at 2 guilds, so thanks for hanging in there with me. Till next time.

1 comment:

  1. I've been using floater frames on some of my art quilts for about a year now and really love the look, perhaps better than any other framing method I've used so far. I order standard sizes from AWS - couldn't believe how easy it was to mount my stretched pieces in those frames. However, it can be pricey (I order the frames only when on deep discount and even then they're more than other types of frames)and the frame finishes themselves are limited not to mention having to order standard sizes. So it is nice to know there are custom options out there.

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