Before You Can Start A New Project, You Must Finish the Old...

Do you wonder what to do with your pieces after you've finished stitching them? Do you dread going to the framers and picking out different colors and types of mat boards? Would you like to try finishing some of your own pieces?

Well, I've got a blog for you to visit and get some inspiration for easy finishing. I was just visiting there myself, and was charmed, refreshed and re-inspired to stitch AND do some simple framing!

To see what I'm talking about, click on the blog title: allthebeautifulthings listed on the right side of my blog.

Firstly, scroll down and look at all her lovely photos, especially the ones with framed cross stitch pieces. Several of the stitched designs have no matting, but are instead "floating" inside a large expanse of the fabric. Not only does framing something this way eliminate the need to double or triple mat a design, but it lets your eye travel directly to the stitched design.

(I like framing stitchery pieces in this manner. It's very clean and yet can be rather traditional-looking....but at the same time it can be very modern-looking as well. So, it's a very versatile way of framing stitchery -- also less expensive! And as her photos show, she's using standard size frames, which is also easier on the budget. )

And secondly, if you'd like to try framing a piece yourself, but aren't sure how to go about stabilizing the stitched piece of linen or canvas, you can check out her short tutorial on framing, on the same blog.

Scroll over to the right side of allthebeautifulthings blogsite and see her list of tutorials. She has a nice simple one on framing. She shows how she laces up her pieces on cardboard/mat board and then places them in the frame.

That's all there is to it, really. It's definitely worth trying some time.
And then you can go back to your stitching. How fun is that?!