Help framing a serape

matt medium

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Houston
a customer came in last week with a hundred year old serape from her family. it's similar to a poncho, a long sleeveless collarless mexican blanket used to cover the body. this one has think black fringed edges down the side.

we're going to frame it unfolded and spread across a fabric mat in a shadow box. the problem is keeping the fringed edges tacked down. the piece is about 4' x 8' so there is a lot of work to be done to keep the edges down. i'm considering stiching down an inch or so at a time with black thread so the stitch will stay hidden but this seems VERY time consuming. any ideas?

thanks for any help in advance,
matt
 
Yes, it is time consuming and worth the effort to do it right.

The Attach-EZ system would be considerably faster than hand sewing, but whether that method is suitable depends on the weave and strength of the fabric. The nylon fasteners are stronger than thread, but the tool's large needle may be harmful to the old textile, if it shatters the threads instead of separating the weave. Could you fasten through strong, existing seams?

When in doubt, sew.

In any case be sure your fair price for the work includes a fair profit for you.
 
Matt, I would have figured about 4 hours of shop time for that large a piece.

You can "run" stitch about 6-8 inches across the top then tie-off. Use the same cotton of the serape.

Run the entire top and down about 1 foot only of the sides. Letting the rest hang.

You can take a few stiches over an inch or so about 6" down from the top just for securing.. don't make tight, just snug in the slack.

The top run shouldn't be in the top two inches. It should run in the "strength" of the weave. Try to tie-down the warp and not split threads. The best stich is a cross stitch that captures a warp and weft at the same time, but can become very visable and unattractive.

Put on some nice music, don't do it when you can be interupted, relax and don't get in a hurry.

Even if you charge 6 hours @ $75/hr, the labor will not be overshadowing the cost of the frame and glazing... At 4'x 8' they won't get it done even at the BB for $298. [our local Michael's sent us a serape a few years ago. They don't sew.]
 
I'm assuming the serape is going to hang horizontally with the fringes on the sides, rather than top and bottom.

Why not just let them fall naturally, as they would if the serape was being worn?

I have a prejudice against fringe being tacked straight out. It gives the piece a surprised, electrified look. Ack! What am I doing in this frame?

Kit
 
i would sew at the top a bit in from the corners and allow the fabric to naturally droop in the center as it would around the body. i can't explain this well, but rather than sew flat and horizontal, it will look more interesting and natural with some swag to it. it creates patterns with the stripes and the fringe will hang at a diagonal. you will need to frame it in a shadowbox type frame, but not too deep, just to keep it back from the glass. cover matboard and make spacers to match with muslin, or some attractive fabric.the frame will be less narrow and long as well. sincerely, karen
 
Whatever method is selected to secure it, the garment needs good overall support. If large areas are left to hang unsupported, the fabric will eventually sag & that may further damage the weave. I suggest placing some kind of attachments about a foot apart - no more than that.

I agree with Kit about the fringe; let it hang.
 
I framed a smaller textile with fringe at both ends, and because the piece was oriented vertically, we wound up folding the top portion down about 10 inches so that fringe actually hung too. We used a hidden, acid free backer behind the folded part so that it floated above the main layer. It looked nice.
I've also done the sewing the fringe in place thing, for a turkish rug. It took a lot of time, but was worth it .
(I think the fringe out to the sides will look a little "electrified" like Kit said..)
Could you create a fabric covered "hanger" type thing that you could drape and support the Sarape on? It may look cool?
Just a thought... maybe a bad one
Good luck!
 
^ yeah i had a kimono a while back that we created a fabric hanger for to hang in a shadow box. it looked great.

unfortunately this customer is very specific that the piece is stretched out and the thread not droop when hung which means that the meticulous stitch method is the way to go.

i work at a store where there is a sales staff and a framing staff. it would be nice if the framers had more of a part in the customers design but my job tends to be a lot more problem solving than fun and creative designs.

thanks guys.
 
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