lacing coming loose

[frame farm]

I have a lady that keeps returning her x-stitch, due to the material sagging. I have laced multiple x-stitched pcs. and this is the only one having problems. (have checked with other customers).When the piece was opened it appeared that the lacing thread (cotton) has grown. Has anyone had this problem and do you have a suggestion. Had another lady re-lace these two pcs. but am worried about future problems. We are wondering about the material (adia 16ct colored). Thanks for you help

 

[fttom]

You could be running into a couple of things, here. There is a probability that she is not washing and blocking her work prior to bringing it to you. This will sometimes allow it to stretch over time. Also, if she is using an off brand of cloth, and not real Charles Cloth or Wichelt, it could have a much looser weave, and less cotton in it. This will also allow it to stretch. The last thing to consider is to be sure that, when it was laced, that the lacing went far enough away from the edge so that the fabric is just not unraveling on you. My guess is that she is not using one of the name brand cloths. Those bargin basement cloths will sag and bag just like a cheap t-shirt. About the only way that you are going to get that tight, is with stainless pins into foamcore, and stretch it to within an inch of it's life. I know that this is not the c/p way that we usually do this, but it takes most of the extra stretch out of the bargin fabrics, and they will relax, and have a normal stretch in a couple of weeks.

 

[PurplePerson1]

I have had one lady that kept returning her cross stitch for the same reason. She hangs it over her fireplace. I stretched it within and inch of its life and then the foam core bowed in and it still sagged. My fault. I have told her that where she hangs it and the moisture makes a big difference. When this only happens to one person, something must be wrong at home.

Lots of people cross stitch on junk and very few return them.

 

[Susan May]

Frame Farm, the problem most likely has nothing to do with anything YOU did... ask her where it is hanging.

I have been framing stitcheries for 16 years, and I never had any problems with them sagging... Until... We moved our shop. We are now next door to a drycleaner, and his washing machine is against our wall. The moisture migrated through the wall, and through the backs of our framed samples, and caused all of my stitcheries to sag.

Bring them back to a drier area for about two-three weeks, and they go back to their normal shape.

Again, I would ask the customer where it is hanging, and see if it is near moisture.

fttom, if the stitcheries are truly X-Stitch, it does not get blocked. Only needlepoint gets blocked, as it is done on a canvas, with a diagnal stitch. Cross Stitch is done on evenweave fabric, and has stitches going both directions. It should be hand washed, and ironed dry(from the back)... BUT never blocked. Blocking can cause damage to the cotton fabric.

 

[Jana]

The best instructions I have seen for lacing cross-stitches are from Osgood. He recommends sewing on strips of muslin and using linen thread.

Osgood, are you out there? Maybe it's time to share your instructions again. Pretty please.

 

[fttom]

Sue May, poor choice of words on my part. Of course you don't block cross stitch. "Himself the Elf's" cross stitch is what got me back into framing,in the first place, after I had been out of it for about 5 years. That's what I do to all of his work.
As for the junk fabric, most of the stretchy mounts, and framing failure that I've experienced over the years have been from the stitcher not using good quality fabric. Some of it just keeps giving and giving, with the least little bit of moisture.
As for the moisture migrating into the fabric, and stretching it, this can be a real problem. A number of "Himself's" pieces, that he had done while we lived overseas, had to be restretched when they got back here. I waited a good long while to do it, because I didn't want to do it, but still had to do several, anyway. They got enough moisture on the boat ride to the States, that they never did go back to original size.

 

[Leslie S.]

Funny this should come up, because right before Christmas we had a big one of the Lord's Supper done on ecru aida come back for similar reasons. It looked flat in the cross stitched areas, puckered around that, but still perfectly flat underneath the mats. My mom had pinned it pretty tightly the first time around, so I unpinned it and laced it using the "Osgood Method", and really laced the heck out of it! It is hanging in the foyer of a local church, and may be too close to the front door with all the changes in temp. The fabric is stretchier (is that a real word?) than normal, and the stitches very concentrated in the center, so I bet I get to see this puppy yet again. Oh, the joys of doing the same project more than once!

 

[Susan May]

Leslie, you might ask them to hang the stitchery a little farther away from the door. No matter what you do, the moisture in that air will effect the stitchery. All art needs to be cared for, by not being hung near drafts, and areas with high moisture contents. (Near doors, fireplaces, and bathrooms.)