Crocheted Names Part II

Framerguy

PFG, Picture Framing God
Joined
Apr 12, 2001
Posts
7,261
Loc
Destin, Florida
In this thread we will cut the top mat, make spacers to lift the top mat and glass up and off the crochet work, and finish the framing. The top mat has already been sized to 31”x12” so let’s get started.

We are going to do a “cathedral cut” on the ends of this mat to make the transition from rectangular to curved. Most of your crocheted names will be done with fairly rounded ends. This name could have been matted by cutting straight cuts that approximate the angles of the ends of the name. I did a cathedral cut to show any of you who don’t know, how to lay it out.

We will begin on the reverse of the matboard. Keep in mind that my directions will be for cutting the ends on a Fletcher 1000 oval cutter. The same general directions will apply to most oval cutters.

First, we have to determine the initial settings for the oval cutter. On the Fletcher, we need a depth setting, (how far from the end of the matboard the center of the circular cut will be located), the diameter of the circular cut, and the circular offset (which will be “0” on the Fletcher). This illustration below will show how to determine the diameter of the circle we will cut to begin making the cathedral cut.

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The depth of the cut is determined by how wide the mat will be cut (2”) + the RADIUS of the circle mentioned above. The diameter of this circle is the width of the crocheted name (7”) + the margins on each side of the name (1/2“ on each side) = 8”. So the width of the mat + the radius of the circle to be cut = 6” (1/2 of 8” + 2” = 6”). So the center of our cathedral cut on each end will be in the center of the width of the matboard and 6” in from the end of the board.

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Once these 2 circular cuts are made at each end of the board, we need to establish the long cuts from one end to the other and an offset located at the end of the cathedral cut. I am using a ¼” offset and a 1 ¾” mat width on the long sides of the mat. Once you have mastered this method, you can determine the locations of the various cuts to give you a 1 ¾” mat width all around the name. (We have a 2” width on the ends of the cathedral cuts).

Place hash marks with a pencil on the edge of the circular cuts at the centerline of the circle (which is 6” for this mat). These hash marks are made to locate the offset of the long mat cuts. They are made at a right angle to the long side and 6” in from the ends of the mat.

Next, set your mat guide bar to 1 ¾” for the long cuts from end to end. The hash marks will be your stop marks for the cuts. Make these long cuts first.

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Then turn your mat on the cutter and make the short offset cuts. If all went well, you should have a very funny looking fallout and a finished cathedral corner mat opening!

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We now have to make some spacers to raise the mat and glass up high enough to keep the glass off of the surface of the crochet. I use scrap artcare foamboard for these spacers. ATG these spacers to the back of the top mat and check for alignment. I make these spacers with beveled edges so they are not seen from the front.

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Build your frame, cut your glass to dimensions, and assemble the package as usual. I will leave it at that as most of you know how to build a frame and put the package together. Finish the back with dust cover and hanging apparatus and you are done. I use small Frame Buddies for hanging these frames as most of them are very long compared to their width and FB”s keep them level on the wall better than wire.

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Here is another example of a finished name with the large points along the border.

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I hope this has sparked your creative juices and you will be producing beautifully framed crocheted names by the dozens!

Good luck and post any questions you may have on this thread so I can try to answer them.

Framerguy
 
Tom, this is great. The one addition that I make to this, when I do them, is to either use black foamcore, or color the edge of the foamcore black, just in case it shows from a very sharp angle. I just like the shadow line better with the spacer being black.
 
Good idea, Susan.

I solved that problem by cutting my spacers about 1/4" narrower than the mat width. With the 30&#186 angle on the foam, it takes a contortionist to see any of the spacer! :D

FGII
 
You also did a nice job on your crocheted name. I bet you're a sight - sitting there in your rocking chair - crocheting away the hours.....

betty
 
Tom,

This is great stuff! I really enjoy this thread!

Thanks for Kathy's contributions too.

Cliff P.
 
Originally posted by B. Newman:
You also did a nice job on your crocheted name. I bet you're a sight - sitting there in your rocking chair - crocheting away the hours.....

betty
Yup, my fluffy-muff-guffs on my feet, my hair up in curlers, the steady creak, creak, of the old rocker, it is quite a sight.

Now the truth, I was pumping these things out like birthing baby rabbits!! Until my Crochet-O-Matic stripped a convolution gear and started mis-spelling all the names. (I'm not even sure it spelled MINE correctly). And the lifetime money back guarantee on that danged thing didn't hold water either. I called customer service and got a telephone dating service!

But, I do appreciate the thought, Betty.

Framerguy
 
Did I miss what you charged for "Snyder"? Looks like a labor-intensive project, but if it's like birthing rabbits, that must not be so? Why have I only gotten one of these in twelve years? Good luck or bad luck?
 
Cathie,

The framing priced out at $176.40. Most of the shorter names run from about $110.00 to about $150.00. They take about 5 minutes per foot to actually sew the names onto the backing mat and, other than the mat opening cuts, everything is pretty much standard run of the mill framing.

The nice thing is that many times you can use long narrow cutoffs from other jobs for the matting and don't need to cut a new board for the materials. I have a large stack of 9" to 14" cutoffs that I save for small work and crocheted names. They don't eat much and never have to be taken outside to go potty so I just let them pile up in a corner until I get a job where somebody needs a bunch of photos framed and isn't too particular about their mats matching their sofa or drapes.

Framerguy

FGII
 
Nice job Framerguy.

I can't add anything to your method because it's pretty much like mine. These things intimidated me at first but have to admit they are getting easier. I think in the last year I've done around 50 of these.

5 min. per foot? That's fast. I had one customer that really thought I had a machine that sewed these things on the board. I said, "I do. Her name is Mom." Wonder if the warranty has run out on her yet? :D

I guess I'm just spoiled.
 
Originally posted by markg1:
Nice job Framerguy.

5 min. per foot? That's fast. I had one customer that really thought I had a machine that sewed these things on the board. I said, "I do. Her name is Mom." Wonder if the warranty has run out on her yet? :D

I guess I'm just spoiled.
Fast, but no hill for a stepper!!

You time <strike>yourself</strike> your Mom after all is ready to go. It really doesn't take that long to stitch a foot.

(Now an arm and a leg, well, that's an entirely different matter!)

Hey, I wonder if that is why your Mom asked me to report whenever I catch you posting on the Grumble?? Maybe she has her own agenda and the stitching duties are going to be moved over to #1 son's responsibilities??
 
I usually get one of these every year or so. It's been a while, so I guess I'm due for one. The one's I get are all like the second example, with bigger points. All the one's I've done have been by the same lady in town and she spaces her points closer and overlapping. They are also rounder. Real pain to try to get to lay right. I like the use of a catherdal mat on these, it sure beats trying to figure the angles. :eek: When sewing mine, I prepunch the holes with an awl.
 
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