Antique Rug Mounting

[Frank Weed,CPF]

First I wish to thank all the great ideas I have received from you loyal grumblers.

Here is my plan at this point. I think ventilation holes are a bad idea. I have never seen a completed acrylic box that doesn't have at least one spider or bug resident. I intend to seal the back of the box with Framers II tape to keep moisture and bugs out of the box. It will be the owners responsibility to keep his artwork out of direct sunlit.

After reading all your good comments I have conceded that sewing the rug with a strong cotton thread is best, I was hoping for some miracle solution here but should have known better.

I still don't have a handle on how to secure the fringes to the mounting board. I want the black fabric background to show behind the fringe. I'm thinking a museum quality silicone glue on just the top fringes may suffice, any comments.

Once again thanks to everyone for their thoughts and suggestions.

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[Jana]

There's museum quality silicone glue? And how could you glue fringe without showing globs of glue?

I wouldn't glue the fringe. You might have to bite the bullet and do couching stitches around the individual fringe tufts, using cotton thread in a matching color.

I'm interested to see what other Grumblers suggest.

 

[Jana]

P.S. I like the look of the fringe falling forward (if it's not too long). It looks natural and gives the piece some dimension.

Fringed rugs were meant to be flat on the floor. I think they resist being vertical!

 

[Kit aka emrr]

Any chance of mounting the rug horizontally and letting the fringe hang down the sides?
If you glue it straight up it's going to look like the hair on a surprised cartoon character.
Please post the brand name and source for museum quality silicone glue. It sounds like something I could use. Thanks. Kit

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Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana

 

[MerpsMom]

Isn't "museum-quality glue" an oxymoron? No offense meant by the remark, but I think I've fallen prey to the Hippocratic oath.

 

[Susan May]

The Smithsonian museum has many framed rugs and quilts. They are in deep shadow-boxes, and the backing is at an angle. At the bottom of the frame, the mounting board is close to the front of the frame... leaving a little air space. At the top of the frame, there is a few inches. So the entire package looks like a slash... "/". This does a few things. Having the mounting board at an angle, lessens the amount of stress on the threads, and helps supports the rug. It also would help support the fringe.

I would still sew the fringe down. You don't need to stitch every piece individually. They could be stitched in sections.

Good O'l Sue

[This message has been edited by Susan May (edited May 17, 2001).]

 

[rosetl]

I've been happy with sewing the fringe down -- use big stiches and fringe color thread -- one or two inches) evenly across -- sometimes I'll do two rows of stiches. A Mylar "ribbon" also works well.

In a real pinch I've put tiny velcro strips underneath also -- but would really debate doing this on the fringe with something of value.