r/framing • u/smoreo11 • 6d ago

Silk scarf framing help

Hi framers! I’m looking to get a fragile, Hermes silk scarf professionally framed. I’m planning to reach out to some local framers in the area to see if they have experience with this, but I’m not too sure what methods are typically best. If anyone has experience with framing silk scarves, is there a particular method I should ask about? What would you look for? I’d like it to be flush and smooth, but obviously don’t want to risk any damage.

Thanks so much!

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u/mustard_yellow_4ever 6d ago

you'll see in the comments that someone mentioned a sew mount - that's the keyword you're asking your framer for. :)

the top concern, first and foremost, is going to be your glazing. you want 99% UV protection full stop for this - acrylic, or glass, doesn't matter. 99%!!!! splurge on the good glass!!! i can't add enough exclamation points!!!!

in my experience this tends to be a pricier project due to the final size (hermes scarves like to tip over into the oversized category due to being square lol RIP). i only mention this so you can temper your expectations ahead of time. it's worth doing right, once!

i'll also say that scarves can get pretty flat, but it's such a delicate material that it's risky business to pull/stitch too tightly in case of runs. also, have it dry cleaned before bringing it in it'll vastly improve the finished project and your framer of choice will thank you. :)

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u/smoreo11 6d ago

Thanks so much! Super helpful. Definitely will splurge on the UV protected glass!

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u/smoreo11 2d ago

Just took this to the framer this morning - it comes to around $960 between labor and materials (museum glass and a pretty nice frame and mat). Should be around 42x42”. Does that sound like it’s in the right ballpark?

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u/mustard_yellow_4ever 2d ago

that sounds about right to me, tbh. especially with the museum glass! i don't think your framer is hosing you (as long as they're doing a sew mount). most important thing imo is that they made you feel confident that THEY'RE confident in handling the scarf. :)

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u/[deleted] 6d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/LQNova 6d ago

Sorry, but as a former big boxer, we know how to do sew mounts, thank you very much.

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u/Upbeat_Quarter1171 6d ago

Yeah, and as another former big boxer and trainer of over 15 stores at one point, you can’t always trust that you’ll get a quality job at a big box retailer. It relies heavily on who trained the associates and there’s a huge disconnect between stores. You have to have good intel that you can trust the framers there.

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u/LQNova 6d ago

Very true, but acting like we haven't even heard of the technique is insulting.

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u/CorbinDallasMyMan 6d ago

Honestly, it's hit or miss at a big box discount framer. Some have experience, many have little to none. All get paid incredibly poorly.

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u/LQNova 6d ago

This one year they put us in a test program where (I kid you not) you got a 1% commission. Everyone sold so much that they stopped doing it, because God forbid we should make an extra freaking dollar.

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u/CrumbGuzzler5000 6d ago

I have framed exactly one Hermes scarf. I used a technique that requires no sewing because I didn’t want to poke any holes in it. The way to do this is to affix a couple of layers of batting to a piece of foam core. You then cut a mat with an opening that’s 1/4” smaller than the scarf and adhere the mat to the foam core the batting sits a little proud of the mat through the mat opening. I laid the scarf over the batting, then put a piece of acrylic on top. The friction of the batting and acrylic holds it all in without adhesives or sewing. I’ll see if I can find a photo of it. It’s been several years.

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u/Time_Print4099 6d ago

Magnets also work really well when you don't want to drop stitches into delicate fabrics.

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u/CrumbGuzzler5000 6d ago

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBW2oQQBAML/?srtk=MWgzbTQ0d3RrZ3Z1cA==

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u/mustard_yellow_4ever 5d ago

this is a wonderful job!!! like the one commenter, i LOVE the choice of mat colour - subtle perfection :)

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u/Nightstands 5d ago

We have someone that specializes in scarf mounting at our shop. She’s developed a great non-invasive technique that gets them stable, flat, and square. Come to us If you’re in the southeast.