If you need a quick and inexpensive way to decorate the space you live in, consider framing a piece of decorative fabric to give it a creative and pleasing accent. Generally, you can frame the fabric using a photo (or picture) frame, canvas, or embroidery ring. Each option is quite simple.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Normal Photo Frame
Step 1. Match the frame to the fabric
It may be easier for you to choose the type of fabric to frame first. After you find one, look for a frame that coordinates well with the color and style of the fabric.
- You have various options to work with when choosing the fabric to frame. Find something easy to work with; a fabric with a constant and symmetrical pattern is a good choice. For something more daring and eye-catching, look for larger prints.
- Home decor fabric works well for its size and weight. but you can choose lighter fabrics, anyway. You will need anything from 22 to 45 cm of fabric.
- The frame should also be the right size to adequately showcase the fabric design.
- If you have an elaborate print, consider using a very simple frame to make the print your main focus. Conversely, if you have a simple print, try adding a touch of life with a decorative or vintage frame.
Step 2. Choose the best composition
Remove the glass and place the frame with the fabric and frame both facing the front. Move the frame around until you find the best part of the fabric to frame.
- You may want to wear gloves as you remove the glass to protect your hands from any sharp edges.
- Note that this step will be much easier if you have a symmetrical and constant pattern as it won't change much by moving the frame. However, if you choose a fabric with a larger design, you may have to work a little to find a composition that suits your aesthetic sense.
Step 3. Iron the fabric
After choosing the part of the fabric to frame, make sure it is wrinkle-free. Iron it with an iron to remove creases and creases.
- Alternatively, you could iron the entire fabric cut before choosing the composition. Ironing it after choosing your composition, however, allows you to focus the effort on a specific portion of fabric, saving time.
- Make sure you pay attention to the invoice of the fabric before ironing it. Heavy fabrics need strong heat settings, while light or delicate fabrics need very low, allowable and non-allowed heat that tolerates hot irons.
Step 4. Position the back of the frame
With the back side of the fabric facing up, place the back of the frame on the fabric of your choice, placing the back of the frame with the inside facing the fabric.
Make sure that the piece of fabric you have chosen is centered under the back of the frame. You may want to trim the fabric short before doing so, but be sure to leave yourself a generous edge to play with if you decide
Step 5. Trim the edges of the fabric
Trim the edges of the fabric so that there are 2 to 3 inches (5 - 7, 6 cm) of bleed beyond the frame on each side. You can choose to either attach the fabric to the back or leave it free..
- Trim the top and bottom edges to fit snugly against the frame. Doing this will prevent the fabric from puckering.
- Do not cut the sides perfectly along the edges instead, as the fabric may end up sliding around in the frame if its dimensions fit perfectly into those saddle frames.
- If you want to stick the fabric to the frame, you can use spray adhesive or staples to do this.
Step 6. Put the frame back together
Put the glass back into the frame carefully, followed by fabric and back. Tighten the fabric one last time before securing the frame to the back.
- You can also leave out the glass if you want the fabric to stand out more.
- Make sure some fabric comes out behind each side of the frame. It will help you pull, straighten and even adjust the position of the fabric after framing it.
Step 7. Use as you wish
This completes the project. You should now be able to use your framed fabric to adorn and beautify your walls.
Method 2 of 3: Frame from Canvas
Step 1. Iron the fabric
If the fabric has creases or creases, use an iron to remove them. Otherwise, these creases could ruin the final result of your project.
- Make sure you pay attention to the invoice of the fabric before ironing it. Heavy fabrics need strong heat settings, while light or delicate fabrics need very low, allowable and non-allowed heat that tolerates hot irons.
- You could wait to choose the composition you want before ironing if you wish. Ironing the entire cut gives you more space to move around, but ironing only the part you choose allows you to commit to only a specific piece of fabric.
Step 2. Choose the composition you prefer
Place the fabric on the canvas with the correct side facing forward. Gently move it around until you find a fabric swatch that looks beautiful in the cramped size of your canvas.
If you have a fabric with a small, symmetrical and continuous print, choosing a precise composition is not as important as the final result will look about the same regardless of the section of fabric chosen. This step is important if you are working with a large, asymmetrical print
Step 3. Cut the fabric
Trim the fabric with scissors so that you have 2 or 3 inches (5 - 7, 6 cm) of fabric in access along each edge of the canvas.
- Shortening the fabric while keeping it facing the right side will help keep your chosen composition centered on the canvas.
- Make sure you have enough excess fabric around each side to fold over the edge and back of the canvas frame.
Step 4. Place the fabric on the canvas
Turn the fabric so that you are facing the back side and center the fabric over it, looking at the back side.
The canvas needs to be centered on the fabric to make sure the composition stays centered and to make sure all edges can fold at the back as needed
Step 5. Pin along opposite sides
Pin the center of the left side of the fabric to the back of the canvas. Pull the fabric firmly and repeat with the right side. Continue pinning the left and right sides like this, pulling the fabric before placing each pin.
- Work from the center out, moving slowly towards the edge of the frame.
- Usually you will need about 5 to 7 pins per side.
- If you are using a compressed air stapler, you need to lock it when you are not using it. You should also unplug if you have to walk away for some reason during the process.
- Pulling the fabric firmly means that it should feel smooth on the front, but it shouldn't feel pulled or strained, anyway.
Step 6. Pin along the top and bottom
Use the same process used to attach the sides of the fabric to the canvas to attach the top and bottom in turn. Keep pulling the fabric firmly before placing each pin.
- Pin the center of the top edge of the fabric to the back of the canvas. Pull the fabric firmly and repeat with the bottom one. Continue stapling the top and bottom like this until the fabric is fully attached to the canvas.
- Don't worry about the corners as you pin. You will take care of it later.
Step 7. Fold the corners
Fold the excess corners in "wrapping paper" style and tuck them into the fabric on the back to keep them hidden. They shouldn't be visible on the front.
- Fold each corner so that the tip goes in and the edges that create it are smooth. Pin in place.
- You can trim excess fabric from the corners later, or you can fold it in the center and pin it into place once more.
Step 8. Use as you wish
This completes the project. Your canvas framed fabric should be ready for display.
Method 3 of 3: Embroidery Ring Frame
Step 1. Iron the fabric
If the fabric has creases or creases, use an iron to remove them before proceeding.
Make sure you pay attention to the invoice of the fabric before ironing it. Heavy fabrics need strong heat settings, while light or delicate fabrics need very low, allowable and non-allowed heat that tolerates hot irons
Step 2. Place the fabric in the embroidery ring
With the fabric that looks from the right side. pass the embroidery ring over the fabric until you find a part you would like to frame and show off. Open the ring and tuck that section of fabric into it before closing it again.
- Pull the fabric firmly before closing the embroidery ring. The fabric should look smooth but not stretched.
- If you are working with a fabric with a small and continuous print, you just have to center the ring on the fabric, as the composition will be the same regardless of the section placed in the ring. For looser or asymmetrical textures, you may need to spend more time choosing which part of the fabric to frame and display.
- Note that the fabric should be at least 2 inches (5 cm) larger than the embroidery ring in all directions. Grab an even larger piece of fabric if you have to play around with placement, as you'll need at least 2 inches (5cm) of bleed on each side of the ring.
Step 3. Place some glue on the back side of the ring
Flip the fabric and loop over to look at the back side. Apply vinyl glue to the back of the inner side of the embroidery ring.
- You can also use hot glue or fabric glue.
- Apply a thin but continuous line, placing it right next to the fabric.
Step 4. Press the fabric onto the glue
Fold the excess fabric over the glue line, pressing it in firmly. Let the glue dry.
The fabric should be attached to the embroidery ring around the entire circumference. If there are places that are not firm after you let the glue dry, reapply more glue so that no ends are visible from the front of the ring
Step 5. Trim the fabric
Trim away the excess fabric so that no ends are visible from the front of the ring.
Make sure you cut enough so that the frayed edges do not come off the sides of the embroidery ring. If this is not possible, border the cut edges of the fabric with lint-free adhesive to prevent the fabric from fraying
Step 6. Use as you wish
This completes the project. You can hang the framed fabric with the embroidery ring on its own or create several coordinating pieces to show together. This completes the process. You can hang the embroidery hoop framed fabric on its own or create several more coordinating pieces to display together.
