Mounting silk fabric

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Z David

Z David

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Joined
Mar 8, 2010
Posts
944
Loc
Texas
I'm about to mount and frame a piece of painted silk fabric. After reviewing some old threads here on the Grumble...

I like the idea of stitching strips of muslin to the back edges of the silk to enable non-invasive mounting.

Question: Is silk embroidery thread the generally recommended thread to use to attach the muslin?

How big can the stitches be?

Also, why is it important to use "unbleached" muslin?




Z
 
Hi Z,

Unbleached muslin is just an inexpensive medium weight, plain woven, cotton fabric which, when washed, will behave as expected - even stretch, no slip issues as rayon or satin weaves can have, and will age well. Designers use it to make initial mock-ups, and that has carried on into the textile conservation field because it is unmodified cellulose.

You can use any washed, undyed (or if dyed it needs to be non-bleeding and no nasty metallic sizes) plain woven (one under one over) fabric, sometimes it is good to use a nice lightweight cotton batiste or a light weight polyester or silk, the less processed the better. The point is you want something in the same weight range, or a bit lighter, as the textile you are stitching it to, and something that will stretch evenly and age well. Silk will not be as strong in the long term as cotton or polyester, but if the item you are mounting is silk then a good quality silk mounting fabric is, IMO, ok. Opinions will vary.

Different people have different ideas on what an appropriate thread would be to use for stitching. Depending on the weight I'd use a regular cotton stitching thread or a very fine polyester used for invisible hemming etc, or hair silk (available from Talas). I personally wouldn't use embroidery thread because it isn't a strong sewing thread.

Hope this helps.

Rebecca
 
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3353132&id=289564248093&ref=fbx_album&fbid=322299138093

http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?50512-Giant-Asian-Silk&highlight=muslin

This is the method I use; to stitch the entire silk piece on a piece of muslin cut several inches larger than the silk.

I usually rinse the muslin in cold water and let it air dry overnight to remove any processing residue left behind.
I would also experiment with various types of needles. Sometimes sharps work best in silk, sometimes a fine tapestry (bluntish rounded tip) needle does. Have fun!

edie the meddlingneedle goddess
 
All excellent advice. The only thing I would recommend is to keep some silk sewing thread on hand. If you need a spool let me know. Somehow I have collected 20 or so spools.
 
BTW, some paintings on a stiff but thin silk, that come out of India, do not want to be stitched and gently stretched. Those flatter, non-stretchy pieces we dry mount. If the fabric is drapey, fluid and supple, then it will stretch nicely. Just FYI.

edie the stretched goddess
 
Thanks Ellen... I'll gladly take you up on your offer and purchase a spool of your silk thread... I would have to order some anyhow (due to where I live).
PM me the price of a roll and whatever you think it will cost to mail it (also your address). I appreciate your willingness to go to the trouble for me!
I'll send you my address!

Also, thanks for the additional advice Fabric Faming Goddess!




Z
 
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