Opinions Wanted Framing scarf to be removed...?

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LeMieuxGalleries

LeMieuxGalleries

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Posts
146
Hi! We do framing for the city, which have been good clients. They are giving hand painted silk scarves to some organizers of an upcoming festival. Wanting to keep it in a budget, they are going to get readymade shadow boxes from the big M. and we are going to help fit the scarves in to the frame. We are happy to do this for them, even though we won't make a great deal off of it...SO any opinions/ideas on an easy yet safe process for the scarves to be hung and easily removable by the future owners? They are front opening frames, the size of the scarf folded in half. So far I was just thinking of attaching a pretty silk cord to the backing so that the scarf can draped over it (like a towel would on a bar)...safe and simple I think, but other ideas???
 
Your idea of just hanging the scarves can work.
The only problem which may pop up is if static build-up happens (depending on humidity and climate) and the scarf is pulled toward the glass or plexi.
If the scarves are really light weight the bottom of the scarf may want to jump forward and stick to the glazing, especially if it's plexi.
I don't know if these ready made boxes have glass or plexi glass in them.
Hopefully this won't be a problem for you.

We have an anti-static gun at work that we use occasionally, but whenever someone cleans the glazing they may charge it with static again by rubbing with a cloth.
It's very dry most of the year in AZ and static electricity is sometimes an issue.
 
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neilframer said:
Your idea of just hanging the scarves can work.
The only problem which may pop up is if static build-up happens (depending on humidity and climate) and the scarf is pulled toward the glass or plexi.
If the scarves are really light weight the bottom of the scarf may want to jump forward and stick to the glazing, especially if it's plexi.
I don't know if these ready made boxes have glass or plexi glass in them.
Hopefully this won't be a problem for you.

We have an anti-static gun at work that we use occasionally, but whenever someone cleans the glazing they may charge it with static again by rubbing with a cloth.
It's very dry most of the year in AZ and static electricity is sometimes an issue.
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This is a GOOD point. Though not sure what to do about it except for another band of satin ribbon around the bottom which i think might not be a great look....
 
I would decline to help.

Search the Grumble ( as I did a few months ago) for framing a silk scarf. It may be one of the hardest things to frame and its likely to disintegrate in that ready made.

I also had a customer who wanted silk scarf on the cheap and was flabbergasted when I told him the price.

This is not the project to gain a little goodwill.

Doug
 
You could install a hook, if the M's frame will allow that, and then tie it to the hook. I suppose that you could glue one on also. The recipients would have to deal with the wrinkles when removed. I just can't think of anything on the cheaper side. Oh, and hope you don't have plexi.
 
Be careful with those boxes. We had one come in for repair after it had been dropped. Weak MDF, and trouble holding screws.
 
Not too familiar with USA abbreviations, but assume big M. refers to Michaels ?
If that's the case then I would let big M. do the framing as well - then when it all goes pear shaped
you will be glad you didn't get involved.

"When you can refuse an order you have proved yourself to be a good business person "
 
Just framed a bible from the 1860's. They wanted it to be removable. The mat I used was hinged and where it held the bible in place I had a sink mat and then used fish line over the opening to hold the bible in place. I can see a similar method being employed where the top of the scarf could be under the mat and held down with either mono filament of tulle over the mat opening.

Fly fishing is using fluorocarbon instead of mono filament for tippets and lines. It is more UV resistant and is not supposed to break down at all over the years. I thin kI will be moving to that instead of the mono filament I use now.
 
I would be concerned that what sounds simple is actually not going to be simple. I understand the willingness to do this for your customer but would recommend maybe different ideas.
Why bother with the shadowbox? Why not just stick it in a frame, sandwich it between glass and board and use flexipoints. At least the scarf would be flat and visible and still be able to remove this easily.

I like your ribbon idea, but the scarf won't stay put, even with a second ribbon. Silk is slippery.
Also, how do you attach the cord to the sides of the shadowbox. (count on crappy material).
 
Since it appears they want them to be removable, what about folding over a piece of foam board, then filling in back of that with something so scarf is pressed up against glass?

I suspect these are not going to become cherished heirlooms, so it may not warrant full conservation treatment.
 
I've framed a number of vintage Hermes scarves. Used small rare earth magnets. You should be able to find these at an electronics supply shop.
 
Angela said:
Do the magnets slip at all? I have a client bringing in a silk scarf today and i am just looking at framing options
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Whether they slip or not, you'd want to make sure the customer knows that the spots behind the magnets could fade. Is your customer wanting to remove/wear their scarf? If not, you could try the mounting method where it's laid over a fall-out, and held in place by putting the fallout back into it's surround.
 
Keith L Hewitt said:
Not too familiar with USA abbreviations, but assume big M. refers to Michaels ? If that's the case then I would let big M. do the framing as well - then when it all goes pear shaped you will be glad you didn't get involved. "When you can refuse an order you have proved yourself to be a good business person "
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Couldn't agree more - I give a guarantee on all my work and I do not want to be associated in any way with the big M - heck, they have certified framers, let them get blamed for any of the problems that could/may occur. If there isn't much profit why take the chance of damaging your reputation. I've seen many of their off the shelf frames, most - not good. I'm not ever afraid to turn down a job, my shop's reputation is at stake.
 
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We'll fit with frames from other sources, as long as they can be worked with. Once had a lady bring in a bagload of little readymades from M's and pay us over four hundred bucks to add mats and museum glass.
 
Angela said:
Do the magnets slip at all? I have a client bringing in a silk scarf today and i am just looking at framing options
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"Direct Contact Overlay" is the way to go. Search for it on the Grumble. Also keep in mind that silk loses 1/2 its strength after 220 hours of sunlight.
 
Angela said:
Do the magnets slip at all? I have a client bringing in a silk scarf today and i am just looking at framing options
Click to expand...

Regardless of the ready-made frame aspect of this order I did almost three years ago, we found a real nice solution for mounting the scarf safely and still making it removable by finding a slightly stretchy band that I fed though two holes in the back mat and draped the scarf through. The holes were just in the right spot to not pinch the scarf, but close enough to it that the edges of the scarf helped hide them. It draped nicely, was easily removable, and seemed safe since the only touching it was fabric.
 
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