Shadow Box...to sew or not to sew

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AllisonDoke

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Jun 14, 2006
Posts
6
Loc
Marietta,Ga
Hello,

I have been framing for several years, however, my former business partner handled all of the shadow boxing. Unfortunately, she has moved to another state (and another state of mind) and out of the loop. I have a customer who has an antique baseball jacket from his grandfather. Does anyone have some sound suggestions for not "compromising" the material and doing this "right"? What method do most framers use? Should I poke holes through the matboard and sew with fishing line? Or, should I use stitchery tape (which I am not sure is acid free)? My partner was a big fan of the stitchery tape, I am leaning toward sewing.

ANY suggestions would be appreciated!

Sincerely,
Allison Doke
 
Your gut instinct is right. The adhesive of tape will migrate into the fabric and stain it. You want to sew... but not with fishing line. It is too strong for this jacket. (and for darn near anything else) A general rule of thumb is "like to like". Sew cotton items with cotton, silk items with silk, and so forth.

The easiest way is to cut a rag mat form the shape of the jacket and sew through that. That way you need fewer stitches to hold it in place.

Good luck with it. This is the sort of project that really warms my heart... framing family heirlooms.
 
Thank you for the information Ellen. It is very helpful and much appreciated! When you say "cut a rag mat from the shape of the jacket...do you mean I should place the form "inside" the jacket to make it hold its shape? If so, that's brilliant!
 
Ellen's advice is right on target, as usual. The alphacellulose board (either cotton 'rag' or purified pulp) should go inside as a fitted filler.
 
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