Palm leaf question

Sherry Lee

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jun 25, 2002
Posts
2,228
Loc
Phoenix, Az.
Customer returned from Hawaii vacation....with Hawaiian print and two woven "palm leaf" place mats. She wants to mat the print with this palm leaf (to copy a picture that hung in the hotel lobby). Does anyone have experience with this material?

Since there are two (one is all that is needed - she was smart enough to bring a backup along), I was going to drymount one onto a matboard, then cut it like any other mat. If it goes up in flames, I have a fire extinguisher, insurance and another place mat.

Just thought I'd check around and get responses. I'm also hoping the edges don't fray all over the place!...any tricks for that?

Thanks much!
 
Humidification of the palm material before it
is cut would probably be wise. It could be
mounted to the mat board with artists' gloss
acrylic medium, which is rolled on, evenly, and
the mat would be weighted in place on top of
it. When the open has been cut, you should be
able to paint starch paste on the cut edge of
the palm to keep them in place, without causing
serious discoloration. The starch would also
help hold back emissions from the palm leaves.

Hugh
 
The leaf (frond) of a palm is very tough and fibrous. Other than being a bit difficult to cut, I see no reason to not proceed as you have suggested. I have some craft items that were fashioned from palm fronds and they have held up quite well. (Not C/P, but I figured you knew that).
I am assuming that the frond is dried (toast brown in color).
You may want to experiment by cutting an opening smaller than needed, in order to get a feel for how it will cut.
 
Hugh:
So you'd suggest this order?....humidify, mount, cut then treat edges (is NORI paste ok?)????

Wally:
The palm leaf mats are wheat colored (variated ofcourse). Not dark brown like MY toast :rolleyes:

CMC owners:
IS CUTTING A MAT LIKE THIS OK ON A CMC???

Thanks everyone!
 
Originally posted by Sherry Lee:

Wally:
The palm leaf mats are wheat colored (variated of course). Not dark brown like MY toast :rolleyes:


Just wanted to be sure the fronds were fully dried. They are often woven while green. (White toast
shutup.gif
).

CMC owners:
IS CUTTING A MAT LIKE THIS OK ON A CMC???
It should be OK if the mat is fairly consistent in thickness.
 
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