As planned, I recently got some frames for a few of my cross-stitch patterns. These frames are custom-made, and I have bought them for my Lord of the Rings (LOTR) cross-stitch, Firefly cross-stitch (not started), Big Bang Theory (TBBT) cross-stitch (also not started) and Game of Thrones (GoT) cross-stitch. All the patterns are weird sizes and I couldn’t find standard frames to fit.
The LOTR, Firefly and TBBT frames are the same colour and have the same colour mount, and I’m planning to display all three cross-stitches together when finished. I’ve been using the patterns from Wee Little Stitches, which has a “Pixel People” range. Go check out their designs! The GoT frame is black, to match the logo, and will be displayed separately.
I used a company called Image Frames to order the frames, which I haven’t used before. Framing can be expensive business, and I was wondering whether it is cheaper to order custom frames online and frame yourself than dropping an item off at a shop. Turns out, the answer is yes, and it’s not as complicated as you think! I wouldn’t recommend this process for large images, as it probably gets fiddly (take those to a shop and pay the experienced folk to do it for you!). My cross-stitches are all reasonably small though and I didn’t have any problems.
There are a few framing companies on the web who are members of the Guild of Framers, so in theory you shouldn’t have problems ordering. I chose Image Frames as they were cheaper than some of their rivals, are based in Cambridgeshire (which is relatively near by!) and had a nice website! You specify the size of the image you are framing, and then can choose frame model and colour, mount colour and width and even the type of glass casing if you wish. You’re basically in charge of every step of the process, like you would be if you went to a shop.
When the frames arrived (by CO2 neutral special delivery!), they were well-wrapped and easy to assemble. I’ve taken a photo below of the back of my LOTR frame so you can have a look:
You bend back the metal pins, place your image in the frame, place the backing mount board (not seen in pic), re-bend the metal pins, and there you are! Dead simple! I used artist gum tape to fix my cross-stitch in place (the tape you lick to get it to stick), which can be removed at any time. It doesn’t show through to the front of my cross-stitch, and was helpful in getting my cross-stitch straight.
The wood is nicely cut and finished, and I’m very happy. Now I just need to sew the Firefly and TBBT cross-stitch patterns and my mini collection will be complete!
Your finished cross stitches looks great. I love the wee little stitches patterns they are such fun.
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Wee Little Stitches are OK but there are other shops that sell great cross stitch patterns, like PixelPower, for example. I think that PixelPower even better than WLS:
- they have way more patterns (in fact, they have A LOT of patterns) and add a new pattern almost every day;
- their patterns cost less money and they have amazing sales, like 3 patterns for 10$ or 5 patterns for 15$;
- they have a Facebook group where they post a free pattern every week and giveaway some of their commercial patterns for free;
- they make custom patterns in a day or two and if you can’t find your favourite movie, tv show or music band in their shop you need just ask them to make it for you, everything will be ready in a couple of days, try to do the same with WLS, you’ll be waiting for ages;
- they are just super:-)
Give them some love and visit their shop: http://www.pixelpowerdesign.etsy.com. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pixelpowerdesign
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