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| KNOW-HOW |
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A good frame can transform your finished stitching so it's worth spending a bit of time choosing the right mount to enhance your design.
Why use a mount?
A mount has two main functions. Firstly, it protects your work, keeping it back from the glass surface, where mould might form and cause damage. The more obvious function perhaps is the difference that a mount can make to the appearance of your finished stitching.
If the design has a lot of space within the composition it may not be necessary to have a mount; but if the design is busy, it will certainly benefit from having one. The mount has the effect of giving the stitching room to breathe and acts as a calm area around the busy colours. It is therefore important to make sure you get the colour of your mount right.
How to choose the colour of a mount
The best way of doing this is to take a long look at the colours in your design. Consider using the dominant colour in your mount and then pick up on other colours in the frame. Using a double mount is another way of picking out a second colour from your design. You should also look out for mounts with a colour core. These have the advantage of echoing two colours from the stitching but you only have the cost of one mount.
If all this sounds a little too traditional and conservative for that bold design you've just stitched, why not select one of the strongest colours for the mount, to give your work instant impact. This style can really enhance modern cross stitch.
The most important thing to remember is that your work must not be overshadowed by the mount. Although contrast can be effective, with warm colours offset by a cool mount and vice versa, the work and the mount should not compete for attention.
Spend some time trying out a variety of combinations at your local framers. They will have a vast range of corner samples at their disposal and will no doubt offer a few suggestions too. They may stock a range of pre-cut mounts which have oval, circular and rectangular centres to accommodate your cross stitch and suit a range of ready made frames. This will keep the cost of framing down.
Many people choose to make their own mounts by painting thick card shapes or by covering them with fabric, wrapping paper and so on. Do remember if you want to do this, that the mount may take on a completely different appearance if placed under glass in a frame.
It is worth bearing in mind when you are testing variations, that where the picture is hung will also play an important part in your choice of colours.Take advice from your framer but remember that you are the one who must be happy with the final presentation.
Colours: what works?
Extending the dominant colour into the surrounding mount lends a welcome area of calm. In a plain frame the work will now hold its own against your wall. In this illustration, the mount also has a green colour core, picking up the leaves of the crocus.
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An alternative is to pick out a less prominent colour from the stitching. This yellow frame really compliments the purple petals and makes the yellow in the picture sing. The double mount reflects the most subtle shades of green in the stems
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This choice of mount illustrates how some colours can flatten the finished design. Whilst it doesn't clash with the colours in the stitching, this blue-grey does nothing for the piece at all. It deadens the vibrancy of the threads and makes the blue evenweave look grey.
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Some designs will always look best when a more adventurous choice is made. Be confident; if you are eager to establish a perfect match with your furnishings, why not take a sample of the fabric with you to the framers?
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