needlept. changes from CA to Hawaii-help!

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Sierra FrameWorks

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Joined
Feb 17, 2004
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67
Location
Placerville, CA
We recently framed a 10" x 14" needlepoint piece which the owner had backlaced herself- double matte, no glass. She did stretch it fairly loose when she backlaced it, but it looked fine when it left the shop here in Placerville, CA. Problem is, she took it to Hawaii as a gift to her daughter who lives over there: she says that when the piece got acclimated to the Hawaiian environment, the needlepoint puckered up everwhere. I assume this is due to the difference in humidity levels between CA & Hawaii. Anyway, she brought it back with her and now wants to know how to remedy this situation. She is not blaming us- since she backlaced it, but I'm not sure what to tell her as far as a remedy. The piece looks fine again back here in CA., but she wants it to look fine in Hawaii. Would simply backlacing it tighter solve the problem? Does it need to be backlaced while in Hawaii? Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for any replies, Ken w/Sierra FrameWorks
 
Ken,
what was it stretched on........bars, board??

Yes, humidity will effect the tension of a textile. Another idea, if it were stretched on bars, was it a stretcher or strainer. A stretcher can be keyed to increase the tension to a limited extent.
 
Was it blocked? I had the same problem with mine before I started blocking it (I don't care how straight it looks). Also, it needs to be stretched really tight, so hers may need to be re-stretched. Since the piece is matted w/o glass (I never glass my needlepoint, either), try one layer of regular batting between the mounting board and needlepoint.

New England has got to be more humid than California, or even Hawaii. My needlepoint never buckles.

I'm pretty sure how it is mounted has more to do with the problem than where it is mounted.

I like to use fabric liners on my needlepoint, instead of mats. Mats can buckle (I've never had the problem, though). Using a liner instead looks really nice (or better), and buckling will never be a problem.
 
I agree with Pamela on this one.
I do find that applying a good stretch to needlepoint is essential. I use needlepoint board (upsom board) wrapped with rag paper and usually back the needlepoint with a thin layer of batting. Fome core does not offer the rigidity that I like. Also, rarely do I find that lacing gets it tight enough, so I usually staple.

If her needlework is buckling now, you can bet that the mats without glass will start wobbling any day now. I will second Pamela once again- liners look better.

edie
 
"Upsom Board is primarily paper pulp and binder which has been compressed"

dosen't that make it all just tooo tooo acidic??? even if we're ONLY dealing with cloth stuff it's still got to get burned....and what about the out gassing from those wonderful binders?????
 
Thanks to all for the replies and suggestions. From your suggestions & looking at the archives, I think I'll suggest to the customer that they re-backlace the piece much tighter and place a thin layer of batting behind it. Also, I will probably add a layer of ragboard to the A.F. foamboard she originally used. Thanks again for your feedback. Any replies/suggestions from the Hawaii crowd would also be appreciated.

Best regards & happy framing to all, Ken
 
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