Humidity Horror

[Susan May]

Just wanted to share something with all of you.

When we moved in to our new location about 10 months ago, I remounted and reframed a few stitcheries that had been in storage. (I wanted them to look nice and fresh.) Then we hung them on one of our side walls in the new store. About a month ago, I went to move a few of my framed samples, and found that two out of four of my stitcheries had sagged, and looked rippled. I didn't have the time to fix them right then, as I was setting up a show on our display wall, and then we were going to leave for a week to go on vacation.

Yesterday, (My first day back after vacation.) I went to get one of the stitcheries to fix it, and it was almost perfect! The fabric looked almost taught again. It certainly was straight and flat again. I had a lot to think about.

First:
The wall that the stitcheries were on, has a dry-cleaner on the other side. He also does normal washing. So, we have moisture and temperature level changes at that wall. Not to mention that the wall shakes like a rocket is taking off over there!

The two stitcheries that were affected both have glass, AND lots of diagnal stitches. (both 100% cotton)

One of the stitcheries, that was not affected, was wool stitched on Cotton. But it has no Glass, so the moisture could eveaporate out the front.

The other stitchery, that was not affected, was a bit of a mistery, until I talked to Hugh Phibbs. The stitchery is behind glass, 100% cotton, just like the other two... but it has consistant stitches. No half stitches. (Diagnals, only in one way.) The whole thing is done in full X, or Cross stitches. So when it was affected by the moisture, it had even pulling from all directions, therefore it did not sag.

This was an unexpected education on moisture entering the frame, from through the wall.

Thank you Hugh, for helping me solve my problem.

[Jim Miller]

Sue:

You need to get one of those 2700 PSI hydraulic/pneumatic stretching machines.

[PurplePerson]

Sue, Within the last two years, I have stretched the same cross stitch 3 times for the same customer because it sagged and rippled. I have never in 8 years had a cross stitch returned for that. I thought I did it right the 1st time.

The second time I pulled and stretched til I swear my finges bled and then it came back the 3rd time.

This time (a few weeks ago) I washed it and stretched it wet. Then I noticed I had stretched it so tight the board was bowing in and allowing it to wrinkle again (moisture, huh?) After that I put in reinforcement in the back so the board would never bow again.

The people swear, the cross stitch does not change temperature and is not exposed to any humidity. Everything is cotton.

What happens when it comes back the 4th time?

Sue, too

Please I beg you not to ask me what a reinforced the back with. This was gettin desperate.

[Lance E]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by PurplePerson:
What happens when it comes back the 4th time?
<hr></blockquote>

Staples and glues???

If it were to come back another time I would be in my car and going to find out where it was hanging, or what bed it was being stored under.

[PurplePerson]

graemlins/icon9.gif Good answer. I thought about sending them to Hobby Lobby to show them what happens there, or I could stretch it and spray it with some of that stuff they spray on photos to make them look like oil paintings.
Purp :eek:

[osgood]

Purpleperson, I would like to know what method of mounting needlework you use?
I have been lacing needlework for about 17 years now and have never had a customer mention the problems you refer to.
I have also seen quite a lot of the needlework I framed in previous years in customers homes and at shows and have never seen any sign of sagging.

[PurplePerson]

Osgood, I also have never seen one of my cross stitches sag and I have done it for 8 years. When I sarted stretching, I was taught to use staples. Then, I discovered stainless steel pins and I liked that better. In the last couple of years I have discovered lacing and believe it to be the best for conservation. However, at my shop, lacing is rather new to us and I have copied everything I can get from the Grumble to learn to do it correctly. I have still never had a cross stitch sag before.
Purp

[Susan May]

This was the first time in 15 years that I have seen my stitcheries EVER sag. The entire reason they sagged in the first place, was the conciderable about of moisture that they were recieving from their back. Now that I know about the problem of the moisture, I can avoid the damage.

PP, if I were you, I would call the customer now, and ask them questions about where the Cross-Stitch is hanging. Trouble spots in any house are:
1) inside the bathroom
2) outside the bathroom
3) on the same wall as a fireplace
3) next to a window, or a door that leads outside
4) in a kitchen

All of these areas are great places to find temperature and moisture changes.

(Jim, where would I find one of those 2700 PSI hydraulic/pneumatic stretching machines?) :D

[PurplePerson]

Sue, thank you for the adivce and I will eventually do that. These people are the Pastor and wife of a church that is shunning me because I got divorced 9 years ago, so I must tread carefully. But I will eventually do that. I have been in their house before several years ago before the cross stitch, but I can't picture where thay say it is hung. Thank you, Purp

[Bogframe]

When humidity's a problem, how about putting a packet of silica gel in the frame? This should absorb at least some of the moisture. I always have a few from medicine and electronics, and save them for just such an emergency (as Foghorn Leghorn used to say).

[CharlesL]

Silica gel will definitely eliminate moisture. You can order the little packets from photo supply places. Maybe AnneL can help with that.

[Susan May]

Hugh Phibs also recomends sealing the package if it might be in a moist invironment. (I am just going to keep my stitchery away from my moist wall.)

Thank goodness that the rest of my store is dry. (Actually, it is so dry that we keep getting static shocks from our metal shelves.) :eek:

I guess I could have sent this in, as a Nightmare of Framestreet, but I prefer to have my "close and personal friends" know about my stupidity, reather than a bunch of framers that I don't know. :D

[Framerguy]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Susan May:

<font color=red>I guess I could have sent this in, as a Nightmare of Framestreet, but I prefer to have my "close and personal friends" know about my stupidity, reather than a bunch of framers that I don't know.</font> :D <hr></blockquote>


Don't blame you for that, Susan. AFter all, there are none of us who would point in your direction and laugh :D and make fun of you hanging a perfectly properly framed piece on a wall that sheds water like Victoria Falls. Heck no!

Since the Grumblers are like one big huge family with the same professional goals in life, we would never criticize one of our "sisters". (Nya,..... nya, ....nya nya, ....nya) or make her feel ashamed
graemlins/cry.gif like those strangers who read those impersonal magazines and write letters to the editors trying to make you feel like an utter fool. :rolleyes:

You have ALL of our sympathies for the idiotic position you placed yourself graemlins/icon9.gif in by thoroughly screwing up a perfectly good needleart by hanging it in a downpour. tongue.gif

Hang in there girl and don't let a few of those "mightier than thou" people try to put you down, OK?? graemlins/shrug.gif ;)
FGII

[Susan May]

LOL!!!!!