Framed to view from both sides??

[Dodger]

I have used the search facility and found several items relating to the topic in general, but none specific to my needs.
I have been asked to frame a football jumper/guernsey of which I have framed many in the past. The difference with this one is the customer wishes to be able to view both sides. A single side at a time it quite acceptable so smoke and mirrors is not essential. He is quite happy for it to be suspended from a ceiling at right angles to a wall. I would need to insert an acid free template into the jumper to reduce creases and keep its form, would like to have a double mat surrounding it as I normally do. I would like to have it seemingly floating within the mat opening so that when viewed from either side it appears to have been framed normally.
I hope that makes a bit of sense to you all, and that your combined creative genius assists me to satisfy his needs.

 

[jframe]

Dodger,

Your can buy a hanger from Superior Products, an acrylic fabrication company in California. It will make the job easy. I hope someone can supply you with the phone number or web site address.

 

[JLF]

Hi Dodger

Have done several of these over the years. my preferred method is to have two frames back to back with joining strip round the outside edges.
In essence there is no back to the frame only to the shirt.

Middle sandwich is similarly double fronted with matts back to back with two spacer frames of flat timber of whatever thickness required between the matts.(inner and outer joined by strips of same - solid wood too heavy)This can be painted or lined with coloured matt board to suit.

To maintain shape of piece I use either two pieces foam board or 1 foam and 1 matt board inserted inside shirt.

The floating is the tricky bit - fishing line counter sunk into foam - two or more pieces horizontally and two or so vertically leaving lots of extra to attach to back of inner spacer between matts then glue boards together.
Fit shirt over - feed line through - attach to inner spacer by either looping over spacer frame or drill hole in spacer and tying off.
If and or when you break the line stitch a new piece through the shirt sandwich and attach - you may need to support the collar separately anyway.

Alternatively if the garment is quite heavy it can be floated without any board - simply(!) stretch with fishing line (5 to 8 lb strain has works well - heavier is more noticeable) over or through the spacer.

Fit matts and glass to both sides - tape sandwich together. Fit outer frames to sandwich and cover join wth matching wood painted to suit - metal plates - or anything that suits.

The key is the thickness of the sandwich in relation to the rebate depth so the glass is tight when the frames are joined - I tend to go for reverse shape mouldings with flat outer edge which makes it easier to join and attach hangers of whatever kind.

Have tried to be succinct - hope this is of some help.

Good luck

Joe