How to mount a tattered flag

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Caliber Picture Framing

True Grumbler
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Jan 10, 2009
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Hello All,

I have an old tattered flag to mount inside a shadowbox. The wool fabric is quite thin and wasn't sure how to properly mount this. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Brian
 
Do a search for Direct Contact Overlay, here is one thread from a search that might be helpful.
 
If the flag were large, I'm sure you would have mentioned that essential fact in your first post. It's just a little flag, right? A DCO mount probably would work well, but size and weight would be important factors in deciding the best type of overlay material.
 
Jim,

The size is approx 3x4ft. It is thin fabric, with holes in the middle and tattered edges. I was going to stitch it in multiple places at the top, then let it hang naturally, then do a couple stitches randomly on sides and middle where needed. I'm just afraid of seeing little indentations all over where the stitches are. I've done lots of thick flags, but this is much more delicate.

Thanks!
 
One other thought was sourcing something long and spring-loaded, like what holds a bag of chips closed, so the flag would essentially hang naturally.
Your thoughts.
 
Caliber Picture Framing said:
Jim,

The size is approx 3x4ft. It is thin fabric, with holes in the middle and tattered edges. I was going to stitch it in multiple places at the top, then let it hang naturally, then do a couple stitches randomly on sides and middle where needed. I'm just afraid of seeing little indentations all over where the stitches are. I've done lots of thick flags, but this is much more delicate.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Caliber Picture Framing said:
One other thought was sourcing something long and spring-loaded, like what holds a bag of chips closed, so the flag would essentially hang naturally.
Your thoughts.
Click to expand...

Either approach could cause problems. You stated that it is old and tattered, so it sounds like it's in a fairly weak condition. Supporting it along the top edge only or along the top and sides means that the top of the flag is going to bear the entire weight. That could easily lead to further deterioration.

Look at it this way: A row of stitches across the top means the fabric will support 100% of the weight. A second row of stitches halfway down means the fabric across the top supports 50% of the weight and the fabric and stitches across the middle supports the other 50%. The more stitches in the flag the less weight and stress at any one point.

Of course a direct contact overlay mount supports the flag across its entire surface area, so in effect you have an infinite number of stitches holding the flag in place. Plus, no stitching!

An angled backing will reduce the force of gravity and further reduce any stress on the flag. Depends on how much preservation you want.
 
Caliber Picture Framing said:
Dave,
Thanks for the info! Direct Contact Overlay is a new method for me, so I'll have to source the product, and read about the procedure.
Click to expand...

It's been discussed many times, so a search on the Grumble should turn up plenty of how-to. Look for anything Jim Miller has posted about it.
 
Anyone know a supplier for "Tulle" and other products used for
Direct Contact Overlay? This large thin flag will need something a sheer as possible without sacrificing the strength needed to secure the item.

Thanks!
 
Caliber Picture Framing said:
Anyone know a supplier for "Tulle" and other products used for
Direct Contact Overlay? This large thin flag will need something a sheer as possible without sacrificing the strength needed to secure the item.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

There should be plenty of fabric supply outlets in the U.S.
Cricky we have many in Australia, so Im sure that there would be many more over there...

Tulle is like a wedding vale material so wedding dress shops should also sell the material.

:)
 
Nylon tulle is wedding veil fabric, available from any fabric store. It is cheap, but not very fine mesh and it will weaken with exposure to light.

Crepeline is fine mesh silk fabric, which also weakens with light exposure. The only source I know is Talas in New York.

Stabiltex, aka Tetex, is fine mesh polyester fabric similar in appearance to Crepeline, but better quality for framing purposes. It will not weaken or discolor like the nylon or silk fabrics. Again, Talas is the only source I know.

Acrylic glazing probably would be the best DCO material for the large flag, abrasion-resistance treated at least, and 97% or better UV-filtering is recommended. Both of these attributes plus anti-reflection optical coatings are available in Museum Optium Acrylic, which also would provide the best view of the mounted flag.

Do not use glass for DCO mounting unless you also use an outer glazing sheet spaced away from it in a tightly-closed frame.

Proper assembly of the padded backing board is essential, as is the creation of pressure in the assembly. Check the archives for previous threads with detailed instructions.
 
Jim, thanks for the product info and vendor name!

What would be the best type of padding to use under the flag? I would order some non-dyed cotton fabric from Franks, to lay over the padding.

Thanks!
 
Needle-punched polyester batting, available from several suppliers of conservation products, makes the best padding. It is better than ordinary quilt batting because it is denser and provides more spring-tension when compressed in the mount.
 
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