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Saturday, September 8, 2012

Advice Please

Good morning everybody! How's everyone this morning? We all have colds in this house. Yuck! Madeleine started us out with it. She got it from school already. I hate that.

So I was wondering if you ladies could tell me what you think. I stitched up the first one of the kids' Christmas ornaments. I was thinking of mounting it in that little pendant piece you can see in the picture. Have any of you done this with your stitching?


There is that slim frame around the glass. There is not much depth to the piece. I had wanted to stitch up each of the kid's year of graduation for the back. The book I absolutely love and have checked out over and over again from the library for alphabets and numbers is missing!! They cannot find it! Rats! It's called 365 Alphabets: Cross Stitch All Through The Year by Kooler Design Studio. The library computer catalog says check shelf. If it is mis-shelfed, what shelf should they check!!!! The library is kinda huge!!! It has been almost one week since they began looking. I think I will have to look to another source.


So I was wondering if I should go this route, with the pendant type finish. I have had these in my stash for quite some time actually. I am afraid to cut my stitching so close and small. Do you use Fray Check around all the edges? There would not be room in the depth for two pieces of linen plus turned edges. Have you ever used Fray Check where you wanted to cut and then after it is dried cut it afterwards? I have only applied it to my cut edges.

one over one on 32ct white linen
Any thoughts or ideas would help me friends. Thank you! One down. Two to go!

Stitching and praying,
Vickie


16 comments:

riona said...

I have never used fray check on cross-stitch because I find it leaves a very stiff edge and because it yellows with age. I was wondering if there is enough depth in your frame for a very thin iron-on interfacing instead. Interfacing comes in all sorts of weights and if you bought the very lightest and finest available [meant to be used with thin and delicate fabrics like silks and nylons] it would stabilize your edges without adding a stiff rim or lip to your piece.

Catherine said...

I''ve never used fray check. Riona's suggestion sounds like a good one!

Kaisievic said...

Sorry,,can't offer any suggestions but I do wish you luck with it.

Margaret said...

I'm not much helping with finishing I'm afraid. Riona's idea of interfacing sounds good though. Only used fray check on my DD's ballet shoes (the ribbon ends) and it is rather stiff. Good luck! I do like how the design came out. Such a bummer about the book! Maybe you should invest in a copy? Can you buy one or is it OOP?

Jennifer said...

I've used Fray Check on some cut edges, but have never tried to cut through it. I like the idea of using the interfacing though - I think that would work out well.

Check places like Amazon and Half.com for the book if you use it that frequently. I have a couple alphabet books in my stash that I use quite often.

cucki said...

yup riona idea sound so good..
good luck dear xxx

Carol said...

Vickie--this happens all the time at my library, too. It is a big library and the books get accidentally mis-shelved frequently, both by patrons and staff. If it doesn't turn up in a week or so, ask your library to do an inter-library loan--surely some library in the state of Wisconsin will own it :)

Annette-California said...

Yes I've used the memory frames with glass. No Fray Check. Lets see there are 2 glass pieces that fit in the frame. Take one of the glass & trace on a piece of same fabric as you wish to frame. Having a trial run will make you feel better when it comes time to cut the real piece you want to see in the frame. I had simply cut the piece (theres no fraying because its not going anywhere but inside the frame). Layer fabric, piece of pretty cardstock, glass then fitted into the frame. Yes I only used 1 of the glass not 2. Because the fabric is thick. I had made a gift hanging ornament with the stitched side exposed, no glass. It has not frayed yet:) let me know if you have more Q's.
love Annette

marly said...

I've only used Fray Check on inside edges to prevent raveling and totally agree with Riona.

Annette-California said...

Correction. I placed the glass on the side of the stitched piece (duh!). The paper side of ornament was exposed.
love Annette

MartyG said...

You can squeeze in one fabric and one pretty paper baking into the frame with two pieces of glass. It is better if the backing paper is thin. No card stock. I would practice with a blank piece of your linen and the paper first to make sure it will work. No fray check needed.

butterfly said...

Sorry Vickie I cannot help you on this one but your first comment would be a good one to use, hugs.

Lois said...

I've never tried to finish using one of these frames but I'm thinking that the interfacing idea is a good one and one that I'm going to remember about!

Chris said...

I hope that the colds are better at your house!
Hugs!

Giovanna said...

I was going to suggest the iron-on interfacing too, it's always worked well for me. I hope the book is found eventually.

Meari said...

I've used fray check on the edges of stitching. The key is to not use very much. A tiny bit is good.

For your project, though... What about cutting a piece of cardboard the size of the frame and mounting your stitching to the cardboard. Either with acid free double sided tape, or by lacing it to the cardboard and then putting it in the frame.