Glazing Over Wool Blanket?

Create a Post
Shayla

Shayla

WOW Framer
Forum Donor
Joined
Apr 5, 2008
Posts
35,839
Loc
Washington State
In the past, I've always thought that with wool-yarn items, such as needlepoint,
it's important not to use glazing. Not sure if that's still the accepted wisdom, or
if, as with glazing over oils, there's been a sea change in recent years. One of our
customers has just brought in a wool Pendleton blanket to frame, and she asked
that if be done with glass. I'd be fine with glass (or acrylic) and spacers, but only
if it's not going to cause damage. So, what's the skinny these days? :kaffeetrinker_2:
 
Spacers.

But then also... you run afoul of the school of thought that says
to NEVER put any kind of animal product in an enclosed space.

Personally, I point to needle work that has been under glass for well
over 100 years... no problems.
and parchment or vellum

Glass is a problem in that it can sweat.... so stick with acrylic.

My go-to would be Optium Museum acrylic
 
Thank you. :thumbsup:
 
You should also remember where you are. In Washington State, don't you have a little bit of moisture? (That should be in green.)

If you use glazing, remember a few things.
1) Plexi can cause static.. static might make the wool look fuzzy.
2) Wool naturally holds moisture, and has traditionally not done well under glazing. (But then, traditionally the glazing was pretty close to the needlepoint.) Spacers might help.

I would contact a fabric conservator and ask them what they would suggest.
 
Oh...and as for antique needlepoints done in wool... I've been know to take some out of their frames only to see the canvas dry rot. Or worse yet, have the whole thing discolored by the mold growth.

The damage done by moisture all depends on where the artwork has been stored; heat, moisture, and air movement are all factors in protecting or damaging needlework.

Can wool survive under glass? Sure. Can you assure your customer that their wool WILL survive under glass? No. Unless you know the conditions the framing package will live in.
 
Susan May said:
...and as for antique needlepoints done in wool... I've been know to take some out of their frames only to see the canvas dry rot. Or worse yet, have the whole thing discolored by the mold growth.
Click to expand...
The closed environment of a properly-fitted frame with glazing would adapt to changing ambient conditions slowly, so short-term exposure to high humidity probably would not affect the frame's interior at all. Long term exposure certainly would harm the frame's interior, no matter what, whether glazed or not.

Glazing is recommended for needleart framing. So is proper fitting with a glass spacer.
 
Susan, WA & OR both have that reputation about being damp.

Same as Florida has a reputation for being "God's Waiting Room".....
(because everyone living in FL is on Social Security)

Seattle gets only 65" of rain a year. And I say "only" because a
mere 52 miles west of Seattle..... they get over 16 FEET of rain
a year on the "Otter Coast" of the Olympic Peninsula.

52 miles East of Seattle, is the "Shadow"... and another 50 miles
further, is Ellensberg.... getting 12" of rain a year, which is why
it's soooo green there.

Just south of there is the town of Yakama - - historically known
as the Capital of Washington Apples.... and kind of spawns thoughts
of rolling hills (true) covered in orchards (true) and green everywhere.

Most of the summer, you can taste the grit in the air. I had stopped
in Ellensberg and washed my car..... we stopped in Yak for lunch
and in that 45 minutes... there was a coat of dirt.... not dust... dirt.

By the time you get to the geological centers of both states, you realize
that the statistic of 55% desert is definitely true. Or, should I say
severely true.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Create a Post
Back
Top