I had a funny name for this topic but instead I'll call it...HOCKEY JERSEY!!

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unframed_mystery

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Jun 7, 2002
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264
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S.Yorkshire, England
Customer had a limited edition signed Paul Henderson Team Canada hockey jersey framed by yours truly. (for those of you who are saying Who the heck is Paul Henderson?, he scored winning goal against USSR in 72, but most of you probably dont care)...anyway , I digress...

When she picked it up she noticed that the tie-down strap in the middle of the inside of the jersey shows, it sticks up slightly ( :eek: ), she said she didn't like it because it looked 'suggestive'... oh dear. I am trying to write this without any sexual innuendo, but it keeps popping up.

Anyhow, here's my question: Has anyone come across this problem before? The jersey material is fairly sheer and the tie-down strap is lumpy. There really isn't a way to 'flatten' it. I took the frame apart for her edification (and mine) just to double check if there was something I could do to make it less noticeable, but I'm drawing a blank.

Any suggestions???
 
Please explain tie down strap
 
I just wanna know what the real topic name for this thread was supposed to be?
 
Originally posted by unframed_mystery:
I am trying to write this without any sexual innuendo, but it keeps popping up.
Click to expand...
You failed.......I am appalled......OHHHHHH my virgin eyes (I'd use ears, but..well..)
 
Don't laugh, but stuffing the whole shirt with cotton batting might help a lot. It' either that or find an interesting way to totally re-do with a folded design.
 
First, the tie-down strap is a strap about 3" wide sewn inside the jersey at waist level; it attaches to the player's hockey pants and prevents him from pulling his shirt off during a fight on ice. It's made of a heavy canvas-like material with snaps on it and hangs(sorry, no other word works here ;) ) about 6 inches. Because the jersey itself is sheer material, you can see the outline of it.

Right now the jersey is laid flat in the frame, with the sleeves sort of gathered naturally inwards, like they would be if it was being worn. They aren't long enough to cover the strap in any way. I considered padding the entire jersey with batting, but because of the sheerness of the material and the low 'V' neck on it, it wouldn't look good. If I just pad around the strap, then it'll look more like a pot belly than a... a... well, you know.

Mike, I could tell you what I originally was going to name this topic, but then I'd have to kill you! :eek: Muuuuaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh...
 
Could you hide "it" with a darker material sewn within the jersey, the way we put a dark matboard behind something such as a calendar picture or a newspaper article to hide the bleedthrough of the writing from the backside? Maybe a little batting under that if "it" has too much dimension?
 
I don't know how you secure things like Jerseys ,but I have heard of inserting a fome-board piece in the shape of the Jersey. This insert is then sewned to the substrate.
If you did use this method you could possible cut an opening in the insert and pull the tie down through to the underside .Since the board is flat I doubt that anyone would even notice what was under it.But then this is all conjecture since a.) N'awliners very rarely ever see Hockey jersys ( except the Brass)and b.) I have only used that method once and it wasn't for a Hockey jersey.However i do do a very similar technique with the cording on Graduation Tassles nad it works nicely.
Let me know what you think?
BUDDY
 
I have framed many a sports jersey and Hockey jersey's are always the worst. I know they are designed to hide protective padding but a 300 pound Canadian would find them roomy. We are talking about alot of fabric here. Showing the outline of the fight stap is considered a sign of a authenic jersey and not a replica jersey. One is made to be worn in a game, the other is worn to the game. There is a difference! And yes size does matter.

Perhaps you can explain to the customer your hours of internet research show the consensous opinion of fellow framers is to let the strap hang where it may.
 
Originally posted by Scott:
Showing the outline of the fight stap is considered a sign of a authenic jersey and not a replica jersey. One is made to be worn in a game, the other is worn to the game.
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Here in Minnesota we call it a strap, but other than that, I second what Scott said.

Having the strap intact makes the jersey more authentic, more collectable, more valuable, etc.

Good luck convincing your customer of this.

Kit
 
This sounds like one for the magic wand. Perhaps you should just hit her with the magic wand and knock some sense into her.

Anyway, would a mat insert hide the strap? or is it attached to the inside part of the shirt that is being displayed?
 
I’m with Scott & Kit on this one, but technically I am interested on how to solve the problem.

I’ll assume the tie-down is on the inside of the front of the shirt.
Buddy’s idea of using white Artcare foam with a cutout that you sew back and recess the tie-down might work nicely. Perhaps you can cut out a piece of mat board the size and shape of the tie-down and pull the straps tight, sew it down to the piece of mat to keep it flat.

Describing your method of your mount would be helpful.

If this lady is giving this as a gift, then she won’t have to look at it anyway!
If she is “hanging” it on her wall and she is a hockey fan, then I have to wonder why the sport itself doesn’t offend her? If her husband is the recipient, then I feel sorry for him.
 
Carrie, Let us know how this comes out. Honestly I've always been impressed when they do have the tie downs, it means they were used in play. We have the Av's here so I've done a ton of them.
 
Not to seem to obvious but, if it's not going to be seen anyway and I would guess the jersey isn't going to be used again, why not ask the customer if you can remove the strap?

Denny
 
Because this is a signed/numbered jersey, removing the strap isn't something I can do.

I haven't heard back from this customer yet, but I do plan to take Scott's suggestion, and explain to her that the strap is a sign of authenticity, and shouldn't be hidden. I sewed it down, so having to re-do the whole thing is a huge time investment that I'd prefer not to make, especially since it looks fabulous the way it is!

The jersey is a gift for her husband. I have a feeling that he won't be 'intimidated' by the strap the way she is ;)

I'll let you know how this ends up... thanks for the input :cool:
 
Check out http://www.jerseypro.com

The owner of this website is an invaluable resource in situations such as this - (The suggestion to "cut" anything off of the jersey prompted me to reply); Also, I am suprised that this solution has not yet been mentioned in this thread...!

I recommend his Ready-made jersey frames emphatically. They are solid wood (moulding milled by Larson), joined; regular or UV glass is already fitted into a channel. He has a patent on the hanging sytem, (this feature alone eliminates at least a billion hours/headaches in mounting dilemmas) which is impossible not to recommend in terms of conservation.

Some of these jerseys are worth tens of thousands of dollars (even in today's market) and a poor mounting and/or frame can devaluate them considerably. But you all already knew that.... so I'm just passing this along.

He sells the frames on-line, and his wholesale prices aremore than reasonable (imo) ... This is a totally undiscovered product!

PS: DON'T CUT IT OFF!!!
 
Interesting site... the frames look pretty good.
Unfortunately at the present time I have to live with the frame selection from our company's suppliers. But it's good to see what else is out there. I have adapted a frame with a hanging system very similar to that for another jersey we framed recently. It was an autographed game jersey of Wayne Gretzky's; the customer wanted to be able to take it out of the frame and wear it (I guess when he was watching hockey games). Can you imagine??!!! All I could think of was what would he do if he spilled beer and nachos on it?? :eek:
 
JerseyPro's are nice, for those who don't want to bring their jersey's to a professional framer.

But, look ma, no DAMAGING SEWING ;)

HockeyJersey
 
lessafinger,

Um, with all due respect, I take issue with your inference that a Jersey Pro frame is not "professional..." Why do you say such a thing?

It is, in my experience, a beautifully-finished ready made frame that can be "customized." You can put any kind of backing material (mat, dry-mounted fabric, etc) behind it; construct spacers if desired even though it is not necessary; mount anything 3-D in there with the jersey (2.5" clearance I think?).

Not all customers bringing in jerseys are able to pay what it would ACTUALLY cost a framer to build, mount, and complete an appropriately designed frame (conservation issues being the prevailing ones). I have found this frame indispensable when it comes to providing suitable framing when cost is a limitation. The business is very wholesaler-friendly, and I've never seen a customer react other than totally blown away over the results.

Please, know that I'm thrilled if and when I am able to design, mount and actually SELL a kick-a&& frame for a jersey - AND am able to actually realize a profit for it. I've taken apart enough frames to know that short-cuts (at the framed item's expense!!!) are taken a WHOLE LOT OF THE TIME because of the labor involved.

Also, please be careful about labeling a product as 'unprofessional' - especially on an international discussion board - if you are not familiar with it. You insulted not only a fine business, but me, as well, with your remarks.

lauralisa

(Your pic looked fabulous, btw; now, if it was not sewn-down, how did you mount it?)
 
Those cases are nice for people who don't want the expense of the whole nine yards. I haven't dealt with Jersey Pro but I have Mounted Memories in town and they have a couple styles. It is a pretty easy sale. I think they wholesale around $125. They are hinged so you open it from the front and hang the jersey on it. No labor, no time, easy sale. I've only sold one of them. I've done about 15 jerseys this year. Sometimes I think how easy it would be if they all bought those cases. I suppose not as much profit but look at the time saved.
 
lauralisa - I'll rephrase - see above
 
Hi Lauralisa

I do not believe that I implied that Jersey Pro was unprofessional. I said, “Jersey Pro is nice for those don’t want professional framing”, but I guess it can be interpreted in a different way. So, I will restate again. Jersey Pro's are nice, for those who don't want to bring their jersey to a professional framer.

Jersey Pro indeed has a nice product. But, they cannot be compared to what a customer framer can bring to the design table. Any framer can build a similar garment frame for less than their wholesale price. That is why Jersey Pro can sell them at a wholesale price.

I’m not sure they are very custom framer friendly. They imply that their system is the best and only proper solution to custom framing Jerseys. And I’ll quote:

designed to eliminate the damaging stitching process
Click to expand...
Now, I may be reading their sales pitch the wrong way, but to imply that most customer framers do not mount garments in a preservation manor is irresponsible, inflammatory, and a misleading way to promote their product. They would be better to state they offer an optional system that is quick and easy for the framer and the collector, but can not replace the expert advice or personal service that you can get from your local professional custom framer.

In my opinion, each and every jersey needs to be mounted and presented in very personal and different way, like the clients who bring them in. Although the Jersey Pro system may be appropriate for sport stores, frame shops who want quick turn-around and those clients who wish to buy a ready-made frame to hang their jersey in, I personally do not care for the way a garment looks on a hanger and allowed to fall where it may.

How did I mount my jersey?

I cut out a 4-ply rag template in the exact shape of the jersey, which includes sleeve supports and then pulled the jersey over the cutout in much the some way an athlete would. I then pulled back some jersey fabric at the top and the bottom out of the way and secured the template to the backing without going through the garment.

Thanks for the tip, Jersey Pro is a great option!
 
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