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Framing a Delicate andDetailed FabricBy Kirstie Bennett, Industry Expert

We love hearing from framers about how they design framing packages for unusualprojects. In this post, Kirstie Bennett of The Framer’s Workshop in Berkeley,California talks about how she worked with Optium Museum Acrylic to frame a silkand twill scarf from her customers’ travels.

The Moment This Hermés Parures de Samourais silk and twill scarf was brought to us by long-time customers for whom we had framed another silk scarf in the past. Designed byartist Aline Honoré, the fabric features a vibrant pattern ornamental details, floral

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motifs and clan coats of arms worn by Japanese samurai warriors from the 14th to18th centuries. The customers were so happy with the design for the first framingproject, they wanted us to do something similar with this most recent acquisitionfrom their travels.

The Design We chose a silver fabric for the backing and a silver moulding for the frame. ThisLarson Juhl Simpatico moulding in dark silver had just enough visual interest tocomplement but not compete with the scarf and its exquisite design. The scarf lieson a backing covered with Aisa Silver Dupioni Silk. Under the top silk layer, layersof unbleached muslin and polyester batting create the padding. The scarf we had framed for them previously was a direct contact overlay, a phrasecoined by fellow framer, Jim Miller, which describes the method of placing verytightly fitting acrylic glazing over artwork in a padded base. The pressure of theglazing helps keep the artwork in place and minimizes the need for stitches, and italso allows for a simple framing design without the need for materials to createspace within the frame. The scarf appears to recessed into the padding. This is amethod we use for many fabric projects, and our customers wanted the sametreatment for this piece.

Working with Optium Museum Acrylic® We used Optium Museum Acrylic® for this project because acrylic is essential for adirect contact overlay. Given that our market is affected by tremors andearthquakes, we would have chosen Optium anyway for any project of this size,over 36 inches square, because of its resistance to shattering and abrasions. OptiumMuseum Acrylic provides the 99% UV protection that is essential to preserve such abeautiful piece, and the anti-reflective clarity to enjoy viewing it.

All of the framing elements allow the exquisite design of the scarf to stand out fromthe subtlety of the silver color to the direct contact overlay that keeps the framingpackage visually uncomplicated and focused on the art. Being able to use a glazingproduct like Optium Museum Acrylic enhances the possibilities for framing andenjoying this beautiful piece of art.

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This article is intended for educational purposes only and does not replace independent professional judgment.Statements of fact and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) individually and, unless expressly stated tothe contrary, are not the opinion or position of Tru Vue or its employees. Tru Vue does not endorse or approve,and assumes no responsibility for, the content, accuracy or completeness of the information presented.

About the Author(s):

Kirstie Bennett — Industry Expert

Kirstie Bennett is the owner of The Framer’s Workshop inBerkeley, California. An award-winning custom framer,Kirstie teaches courses on various aspects of marketing forcustomer framers, including social media. You can findseveral articles she has written on these topics at her website,www.framersworkshop.com.

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