DYO Framing

Do Your Own Framing in  Eight  Easy Steps
Framing tips by Dan, Doina's son

When you receive your Gobelin, it will most likely look slanted; the larger the size, the more pronounced the effect; this is due to the "slanted stitch" technique that Doina uses:

This is no problem, as the Gobelin can be easily re-shaped, by steam ironing on the back just prior to framing.  You need to be careful when reshaping, especially with the human face, as that can easily lose correct proportions.

Picking a Suitable Frame

I take the Gobelin with me to the frame shop (or a "Cheap as Chips" shop, which has a good selection of affordable frames) in  order to find the best matching frame. Or if you cannot take the piece with your, then take its measurements and a measuring tape.
The colours of the frame and of the matting are very important for the final appearance. A golden frame, or a golden rim, will add sparkle and light to the Gobelin.    A wooden frame (as opposed to plastic) gives character.  Make sure to check that the frame includes all of the following:
- matting, professionally cut at an angle, and having depth (thicker cardboard or foam, not a thin paper)
- glass cover
- back cover, that can be easily removed and re-set
- hanging device, placed with the appropriate orientation for your Gobelin (or one that can be easily re-set)

Framing the Gobelin  
1. Steam iron your Gobelin on the back, to bring the back to correct shape;  pay special attention to the human face
2. Remove back cover of frame. Note that some covers are hold by pins or staples that require a special stapling gun to set; if removed, they cannot be manually re-set, and you will need to apply a different method to secure the back cover, or take the frame to a framing shop that has a stapling gun. To avoid that, try to bend the staples at 90 degrees, using a flat screwdriver, and without removing them from the frame; that will allow to remove the back cover.
3. Remove matting and place face down on your work surface. Place Gobelin face down on top of matting; use sticky tape to temporarily fit the Gobelin to the matting. Don't cut, but rather bend excess canvass (that will allow to later re-set in a bigger frame, if required):

4. Turn over to check that the Gobelin fits nicely, with no blank canvas showing through:

  5. Turn face down and perform final setting of the Gobelin against the matting, making sure that the canvas is properly stretched in all directions and there are no loose edges; you may use the print that came with the frame, as a cover; again you can use sticky tape to secure all edges:

 6. Clean the glass inside and out with a piece of cloth. Place matting + gobelin into the frame, behind the glass; re-set back cover:

7. Again, turn over to perform final check. If happy with the result, secure the back cover by bending/pushing the staples back into  place (you can use the tip of the screwdriver). To give a professional look and to protect from dust and spiders, you can seal the back cover with adhesive tape, or with a sheet of thick paper, that can be easily glued to the frame with double-sided tape.

8 And finally hang the framed Gobelin to the wall to admire your work: