Framing old cross stitch

[spud57]

Not sure if this is in the right place but I have noticed that quite a few grapes are very knowledgeable about sewing/quilting etc so here goes.. My great aunt was a German Jew who escaped to the UK at the start of WWII but sadly lost all the rest of her family in the holocaust. When she died last year she left some beautiful old cross stitch table cloths etc dating from before she came to England. I would love to have them framed somehow but dont want to damage them in any way. Can any one recommend who I can consult about this please?

[shirlthegirl43]

Speak to your local picture framers and see what they say. If they sound like they know what they are on about you should be okay. We took a really old newspaper advert to our local framers and they did a beautiful job

[Jardiniere]

I have never had any cross stitch framed cos i only turn mine into cards but i happened to have some magazines on the desk and there are adverts in there for framing services...perhaps if you go to somewhere like
Cross Stitching.com - cross stitch, free stitching charts, cross-stitch magazines, tutorials, buyers guides and more you might find some advertised or they may have a forum?

[Seahorse]

Jardiniere's link should be a good place to find someone.

Look for a framer who uses laces and/or pins (relatively harmless and reversible) not glue (potentially ruinous). Also acid free backboards and mounts.

If you have the time and inclination, it's not *that* hard to do yourself. Some basic instructions on technique here:

Bevian Crafts - 3D Framing - How to frame Cross Stitch

[Two_Sheds]

If you want to spend the money, there are people to do it for you. I Googled this one for starters: Cross Stitch Framing and Frames

[spud57]

Thank you for the help everyone - I'll check out the links and try to find a specialist framer

[nick the grief]

You could always go to the local technical college and learn it yourself

All of my wife's were framed by a local picture gallery but it may pay you to contact the local Cross stitch club as they may do tit cheaper - ours used to.

[kentvegplot]

If this is very precious to you, contact the Royal School of Needlework - they used to be at Hampton Court Palace, but I think have moved now. A friend of mine had a large piece of needlework backed and framed by them, and it wasn't horribly expensive.

Good luck with your search.

[bluemoon]

I'd go with the RSN idea too. I believe they are the people to contact when it come to conservation of old pieces.

[JennieAtkinson]

I would recommend RSN too, particularly for a really special piece. Alternatively speak to a number of local picture framers as some have no idea what they are talking about (just got into it for a bit of easy money so to speak) but others can be really knowledgeable and know all about how to conserve the material etc.

Let us know how you get on Spud.

[spud57]

Thank you so much for the RSN tip - will contact them and let you know how I get on!