The fringed and the free

In response to a question regarding the way I display some samplers, here are some photos to show the backs of the pieces that are unframed, fringed, or hemmed.

 

But first there's this.  A few happenings from the last few days.  When I was on the phone scheduling Carole's Direct TV tech, he kept saying "Wednesday the 16th".  I kept saying "Wednesday is the 15th".  Since I was having a difficult time with his accent, I thought maybe I was hearing sixteen but it was actually fifteen that he was repeating.  ONE SIX.  Sorry sir, ONE FIVE is Wednesday!  This went on for a few minutes until I glanced at the top of the Carole's calendar to see that it is for 2018.  So if anyone is interested, August 16th is on a Thursday next year.

 

I was concerned about Nitzy since he has a wound on his leg and spend the entire day indoors.  That never happens.  But he bounced back and was fine the next morning.  For two nights, I have screamed his name out back to come in for the night.  When I scream, I open wide and suck in creating a vacuum that can be too strong for small insects.  It brought in a few moths hanging around the door light.  None flew down my throat and all were removed with a good mouth rinse.

 

Not paying attention to where I was going, I walked into the hummer feeder and had really sweet hair for a while.

 

I was cleaning out the grain bin in the back room, bending over to reach the bright orange lid to a spray paint can at the very bottom, and was surprised when it blew fluorescent orange over my upper body, the wall, and window.  Seems I left the ground marking paint which has a nozzle straight up and uncovered, in the wrong place.  That stuff is very difficult to remove once dried.

 

So here's the photos.  The majority of these are done on stiff unbleached linen, and pressing with a hot iron is usually enough to hold back the sides.  A few have machine sewn sides in a thread matching the linen color.  A hem is sewn on the tops and boning or horsehair braid is slipped inside.  Once the edge is pressed, before sewing the hem down, the braid or bone can be attached to the back hem piece directly on the pressed edge instead of inserting in a sewn hem.  Both items can be found at JoAnn's in the notions aisle with elastics and banding.  These samplers should have interfacing fused or a muslin lining since some are sheer, but I never did.  I would hang as soon as completed and expect to go back later.  It's later.

 

 This is typical of the stiff linens, pressed back leaving enough fabric for framing in the future (or not), top is hemmed with horsehair braid that is sewn to the back flap, or slipped through.  I count the linen threads out from the stitching on each side for proper centering.  This one has a machine sewn edge.  When fringing, make sure you leave enough linen at the bottom for future framing, before removing the threads.

 

This piece is over 30" long and has been hanging for a few years.  This one I am considering framing.  Same method, just pressed, boning at the top for extra support against sagging.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Another pretty long piece on a little softer linen, but pressing was still enough to hold the edge.   The contrast thread zig zag is only on the edge to prevent fraying.  This one definitely needs a muslin lining.  I would open the top hem to insert the muslin and let it hang freely, cut to fit exactly within the pressed edges with the linen sides folded over the muslin so it doesn't show.

Big girl Lucy Redd is hemmed on four sides by machine, basting stitch for easy removal, with enough fabric for mounting to frame.  A few other smalls are also finished this way, no fringe. 

 

Lucy and Sally Fiske (23" x 25") both have boning in the top hem because of their size, which is heavier and stiffer than the horsehair braid.

 

 

  

 

I hope this helps answers any questions, but if not, email me.  This started as a way to display finishes rather than have them lying in a drawer until framing.  But after seeing a few antiques hanging naked, even stretched out of shape,  I prefer the more primitive samplers naked and unafraid.

 

Have a good one!

 

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