Monday, June 3, 2013

Common Ideas On How To Display Textiles

By Michelle Howe


Textile enthusiasts and professional quilters who sew clothes by themselves usually get to accumulate several fabric stashes. After their collections get to reach a particular number, visually enjoying the finished products turns out rather difficult. Whether a person is running a textile store, showcasing new merchandises or simply trying to flaunt creations, learning how to display textiles becomes essential in organizing collections.

If your fabric is not strong enough to be displayed, then you might want to go have it framed. Framing is best done with a Plexiglas panel. This is lighter in weight, also less breakable than glasses. If your fabric is large in size, however, choose to have it mounted on a wooden frame but one with an attached special mounting fabric.

When opting for framed works, it important to remember that textiles need to be sewn carefully to the stretched fabric. This is so they will have tight support and will thus not get torn away easily. In case valuable antiques are to be displayed, professional services will come necessary.

Most professionals also consider festooning their homes or shops with embroidery hoops or polka dots. Quilting or embroidery hoops may be purchased in selections of different sizes, from small to large. Display fabrics have to be cut on the sides to form squares and at a size larger than the hoop diameter. These then have to be stretched and tightened within the hoops. Overhanging edges can be trimmed or tucked behind so they are not seen. This might not be a suitable option for displaying antique or fragile fabrics though.

Some people will display fabrics by using them to accent their furniture pieces. Nonetheless, similar to hoops, the approach is not recommended for the valuable or fragile fabrics. When selecting a furniture piece, it is essential to choose one that is not under direct sunlight. Sun exposure usually causes fading of fabric colors.

You might want to consider having your fancy fabric piece accent your bookshelf. Hang this behind your books so they will hang loose just like backsplashes. You can also have them spread over your kitchen cabinets. This way, your kitchen be vibrant with colors.

If you only need to display your creations for a very short period of time, then you can opt for pin couching. For this approach, you will be needing foam blocks as the bases of your direct pinning. You will also have to secure strong steel needles. Make sure that the foams you will be using are of good quality. You will want to prevent gasses from affecting your displayed objects.

In case it is difficult to horizontally display large fabrics, vertical mounting can be opted for instead. However, it should be known that this approach is the most dangerous and thus, must be approached with care and advice from professional conservators. Woven materials may not have problems with vertical hanging since they are resistant to distortion though.

There are several perils in putting fabrics out for display. They may get vandalized, exposed to damaging agents and even prone to distortion from physical stress. While studying how to display textiles, quilters must also learn more about the risks involved in employing the aforementioned approaches.




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