Small stretcher frames

Small stretcher frames can be covered with felt, or you can use canvas frames that have been either spray painted or covered with fabric as a base to put your fiber art on. I like to use Velcro as an alternative to sewing or gluing your art work to the frame. By using the Velcro, you can easily switch out your art if the sizes are similar.
Picture #4

This is the piece of art I made for my niece for Christmas. She told me she got new furniture that was red and blue. The stretcher frame is covered with black felt that has been backed with a stabilizer, the felt is too flimsy on its own.
Here is another version of using a stretcher frame. I layered the quilt top with batting and backing and quilted it. Once it was quilted I stretched the edges over the frame and attached it to the back with a staple gun. I think I would rather finish the piece and then stretch fabric over the frame and then attach it to the fabric on the frame. What do you think?

The back of the frame

Someone asked about the framing wire on the back of the plexi-glass frame. Here is a picture of it. I used plastic coated wire, but really any wire works fine.

More framing

Years ago I discovered a nice and inexpensive technique to create a frame for my smaller fiber art pieces that I still use to display my art. I use ¼” clear Plexiglas cut at least 2 inches larger all around than the art work. Any framer will be able to sell you ¼” clear Plexiglas. I attach a piece of framing wire to the back side of the Plexiglas. To attach the wire, I use a new sharp drill bit in a power drill to drill 4 holes in the center back of the Plexiglas and run a piece of picture framing wire through the four holes. The four holes are determined by measuring down from the top of the frame three inches, finding the center of the frame, and drilling the 4 holes parallel and equally distant from the middle. I place sticky Velcro on the Plexiglas and sew pieces of non-sticky Velcro to the back of the fiber art piece. Then I attach the fiber art piece to the Plexiglas. By framing your work in this way, the fiber art is still accessible.

Picture #3

Ideas for framing your small art quilts

As a fiber artist, I like touching my art. However, framing my art makes it easier to display and gives formality to the work.

Over the years I have tried different methods to frame and display my small art pieces. Lately, I have come up with a few additional new ideas.

A very simple way to display fiber art is to use a table stand and a piece of foam core to support the piece of art. Apply a little sticky double sided tape or Velcro to the back of the art attaching it to the foam core. The foam core will keep the piece propped up well. You can even buy foam core that is close in color to the art work.

Picture #1 The foam core supporting this quilt is cut exactly the same size as the quilt.

Picture #2 The foam core on this one also acts as a frame, showcasing the art quilt.

I made two quilted signs for my son’s wedding reception. I attached these both to green foam core and they were very easy to display then on the easels.

IQF in Houston October 31-November 6

I will be teaching again this year at the International Quilt Festival show in Houston, TX.

I will be teaching Free Motion Machine Quilting on October 31 from 9-12p.m. This class has sold out two years in a row. If you have tried before to get into this class and were unable to perhaps this is your year.

I will teach it again on Tuesday November 1 in the afternoon from 1-5. You have two different opportunities to get in the class.

I will also be teaching a small fused art quilt class on Monday October 31 in the afternoon, called Field Poppies. This class has a prefused kit to make it really fast and lots of fun to make. You don’t have to bring lots of tools to class.

I just thought I would let you know so that you can get ready for all the fun this fall in Houston.

The circle of life

I’m a new grandma!! I am so excited. I have never seen a more beautiful baby.

Here is our baby boy Lars holding his baby boy Micah.

Let it snow

On Sunny Sunday I traveled to Fort Wayne IN to teach two classes and do a lecture. The class was full on Monday, we did Laughing Leaves and everyone made such fantastic designs. I was surprised that even with weather warnings we had a full class for Free Motion Machine Quilting on Tuesday. You can't keep quilters away from what they love. But the bad weather canceled the Tuesday evening lecture and left me stranded here in Fort Wayne for awhile. I am sitting in the hotel room waiting now for the snow to stop  in Chicago and for them to dig out from the big  storm so I can drive home. My husband said that the snow was up to his waist!! He shoveled a path on the deck for George to get out this morning and then George JUMPED into the snow and swam to the tree to do his  business. However he couldn't get himself back to the deck. My husband had to wade out into the snow and rescue him!! It is not so bad here in Fort Wayne, but they have closed all the schools and are asking people to stay off the roads, so I am sitting here watching the weather channel. It is COLD and blowing here and COLD, blowing and still snowing in Chicagoland. Tomorrow the sun is suppose to come out and hopefully they will get my street plowed and my drive way shoveled so I can pull into the garage and STAY THERE.

On a brighter and happier note, thank you to Carol in Billings MT who won the top bid on my little quilt Petite Poppies. I know it is going to a loving home.

Thank goodness I brought along some work and my knitting. I hope there is a good movie on TV today. Wish me luck getting back home.