I need help with two shadow boxes

[willstep]

I have to shadow boxes that I've never done before so you can possible understand that I do not now what to do.

1. Horse harness that customer wants to see the middle separated from the back. What do I use that will not make it look terrible?

2. I have a champion winning wrestling belt that has some wait to it. What do I use to mount it with and how do I keep it from pulling the baking forward?

If anyone could help and give me any advice please do.

I have also attached some photo's to help visually.

 

[Franchesca]

Not sure about middle/back description...but if you are looking to make the noseband and crown "arch" I'd try industrial strength zip ties. They are about 1/2"x1/8"x36" and can be found at Home Depot/Lowes. You can cut, paint and/or wrap them in black fabric. Then arc it, inside the band, and fix it to the hardware neatly. I've used them in lieu of metal boning in my medieval corsets. Great stuff!

As for the belt...
Option 1. Find out what attach-ez has a solution to this http://www.attach-ez.com
Option 2. Cut 2 big slits in 1/2 gatorboard, wrap with fabric and pass belt ends through and buckle in the back. Follow with stitching method mentioned in option 3
Option 3. If it doesn't stick to far off the board when folded, as seen in your photo, find a heavy (maybe wire) thread that doesn't stretch (same color of your background) and stitch like crazy. Be sure to tie off every few stitches so if it fails you needn't redo the whole thing. Note...if extremely heavy you may want to anchor to fabric/mat/plywood combo. For this. pre drill tiny holes before you apply fabric. Plushier fabric is better than thin as the wire will still want to hang downward and the pile of the fabric will hide some of this. Another suggestion...leave extra board and trim after you drill.
Good luck!

 

[Baer Charlton]

I've used them in lieu of metal boning in my medieval corsets.

Franchesca of Dribergen???? is that you??? OMG!

Yeah, just don't try Stabilitex or Crepeline on the belt.... it makes it look "sissy".
But brass rod with shrink wrap tubing should almost disappear on the belt. The belt is out of 20 oz saddle side leather and is very self supporting... even with all the metal..... and I don't even talk about my days as the masked one.

 

[Susan May]

You might think about a plexiglass form for the harness.

 

[Jim Miller]

Yeah, just don't try Stabilitex or Crepeline on the belt.... it makes it look "sissy".

"Masked One", I doubt that the buckle's masculinity would be threatened by anything so mundane as fine mesh fabric. However, those "sissy" fabrics probably are too fragile to provide enough support.

The brass rod suggestion is a better idea. Spring steel "piano wire" would work as well, and in smaller diameter than brass of similar strength.

Clear film straps on both ends might be suitable, too.

In any case, you should put a solid spacer behind the buckle, trimmed to fit its curvature. Hand-formed clear acrylic might be a good choice. That way, you need not be concerned about deflecting the backing board, which might look "sissy".

 

[Little Conestoga]

Im not sure if this is helpful but I frame LOT of equine stuff: tails, hair, halters ( this is a halter, not a harness), shoes, ribbons, saddle pads, bits, bridles, whips. I simply used plant wire and strategically "sew" the halter down onto the mat. This is tough but pliable wire found at any craft store, and it comes in gold, silver, black. I mark where I want the hole to be, punch a small hole, thread the wire through, loop over section, back into mat and twist and tape on the back. Pretty secure, and invisible.

 

[Franchesca]

Franchesca of Dribergen???? is that you??? OMG!

Indeed it is. I was wondering who might recognize me first. You won. I'll send you something off list, soon (probably tomorrow). Or you can email me first. I look forward to getting reacquainted.
Lady Franky