Can anyone advise on hanging tapestry?

[JoceAndChris]

At last I've finished Section 1, The Deer, which has cost ten months and 171,402 stitches. The last 50,000 or so stitches have been greatly enlivened by reading PPUK at the same time, thankyou.
When complete it will be a (pale) imitation of Henry Dearle's Greenery which hangs in the Met, NY. (I called them and tried to persuade them it would look much better here; but they wouldn't give it to me).

Anyway, do any of you live with tapestry or old needlepoint? What happens to it if exposed to the air? Is there any way to protect it from damp etc? I'm a bit reluctant to put it behind glass as I want to do Sections 2 & 3 at some point, plus that would make it an un-tactile object.

If I use a pole and finials, what style is appropriate for Pre-Raphaelite period?

Also, can anyone recommend a company who specialise in stretching tapestry? It's kind of wonky.

 

[Pford75]

Is there any way to protect it from damp etc?

Shouldn't that be "Is there any way to protect it from damp etc.?" ? :wink:

 

[JoceAndChris]

Probably. :wink:

 

[Moo]

I'd always thought that a question mark counted as a full stop. I shall now wait with bated breath for the definitive verdict. One needs to know these things.

Another bit of pedantry:
A tapestry is woven, and hangs from a pole; what you're describing is known as canvas work, and is treated more like a painting.

A bit of technical info dredged from the lower depths of my mental sludge:
It is quite usual for canvas work to end up a bit distorted (all those diagonal threads). The standard way to correct this is to dampen it, pull it into the right shape by pinning it to a rigid board, and let it dry.

xx M

 

[JoceAndChris]

"mental sludge" -hardly!

Thanks Moo, yes, it's a canvas, or needlepoint really- not a tapestry it its strict sense.

I'm a bit scared of stretching it myself, I think it's a specialist job.

And a question mark does count as a full stop, but I think Pford was referring to the fact that etc is an abbreviation, so technically, should be followed by the full stop, but no-one really bothers with this anymore, just as no-one writes 'phone or 'bus.

 

[Moo]

I'm a bit scared of stretching it myself, I think it's a specialist job.

Oh, go on - give it a go! The only way you can do any damage is if you make it too wet.
If it's not too skewed, you can play safe by putting some damp blotting-paper on the board, then the dry canvas (pulled into shape, of course), then more damp blotting paper and top it off with a second board and a few weights to keep all the layers in contact.

xx M



ps I confess that I still type 'phone

 

[JoceAndChris]

Ok, you've inspired me!

If it goes wrong it won't be a problem for you to make me a new one will it? :wink:

(and I'm very glad to see there is someone else who cares about these little marks we use.)

xxx

 

[Schoolmarm]

Some of us care, some of us don't.


We sort of decided a while ago that it was pretty rude to keep pulling each other up about it.



The worst offenders are ############, #####,########. They are now relieved to just be able to post without worry.

 

[michael]

For what it’s worth, I have an ‘Artis Flora’ reproduction tapestry or ‘Gobelin’ as I think their called in France. I believe these are produced by dying the fabric to the required image rather than weaving it, so nothing as grand as yours. It has a series of short horizontal brass bars (each 2 1/2 inches long) sewn into the Hessian back close to the top edge. These are designed to sit on hooks screwed into the wall or hooks screwed into timber fixed to the wall. Yes it’s a bit ‘wonky’ but that’s how I live with it.

Sorry, this probably has no relevance to the work of art you describe but perhaps the hanging method could be a common practice

 

[JoceAndChris]

Sorry, this probably has no relevance to the work of art you describe but perhaps the hanging method could be a common practice

"Work of art" is excessive flattery but thanks for your thoughts. And how's Gobelin getting on? Any moth holes or mouse bites?

I think having it so that it stands away from the wall is probably a very good idea in terms of damp protection.

 

[michael]

No problem with the moths so far. Although we did have a ‘wool mixture’ floor rug partially eaten a while ago. I think it’s the ‘lave’ that do the eating and I’m not sure if they have a preference for any particular kind of fabric? Wool was their favorite on this occasion.

If your interested in my suggested hanging method take a look at http://www.leboncoin.fr/vi/41841071.htm?ca=5_s You’ll see how discrete those short hanging bars over hooks can be. Totally invisible and no poles or finals to deal with.

Each bar is perhaps 3 mm thick with a twisted rope pattern on it to stop it sliding on the hook. They’re about a couple of inches long with eye holes at each end so they can be sewn to the back of the fabric and they are spaced about one every foot.

In my case I have a length of timber ½” thick screwed to the wall in three places and painted to match the wall and then a series of small brass hooks screwed into the timber at spacing to match the small tapestry bars

 

[Moo]

Some of us care, some of us don't.
We sort of decided a while ago that it was pretty rude to keep pulling each other up about it.

Oh, dear. Does that mean that people like me, who want to know, aren't allowed to ask for advice? And that those who do know aren't allowed to provide the information?

 

[JoceAndChris]

No problem with the moths so far. Although we did have a ‘wool mixture’ floor rug partially eaten a while ago. I think it’s the ‘lave’ that do the eating and I’m not sure if they have a preference for any particular kind of fabric? Wool was their favorite on this occasion.

If your interested in my suggested hanging method take a look at http://www.leboncoin.fr/vi/41841071.htm?ca=5_s You’ll see how discrete those short hanging bars over hooks can be. Totally invisible and no poles or finals to deal with.
/quote]

That's a really fab description, Michael, but I still can't get my head quite round it without actually seeing the fittings. It looks good in that picture, and would save the making of the velvet panel I'd intended to back it with, and the buying of a fancy pole and finials. Perhaps I'll have to "envoyer un email a l'annonceur" of the website to see if they sell those fittings, or find them elsewhere.

But thanks for your help!

BTW, moths have excellent taste don't they...wool and silk, no polyester for them!

Dearest Moo, meet me at midnight for a clandestine chat about apostrophes. Gin on me.

 

[Schoolmarm]

Some of us care, some of us don't.
We sort of decided a while ago that it was pretty rude to keep pulling each other up about it.

Oh, dear. Does that mean that people like me, who want to know, aren't allowed to ask for advice? And that those who do know aren't allowed to provide the information?

No it doesn't. I said "pulling each other up", a discussion is fine. Especially if we get those little nuggets of gold from Ev.

 

[Moo]

I do hope that the person who has been offended or hurt by any recent episode of pedantry will let us know so that the guilty party can apologise.

xx M

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Changing tack slightly, from a tapestry 'The Deer' to a problem with real live Deer--- Chinese Water Deer, to be exact, have been causing problems in our local Park attacking and severely injuring several dogs. I had not realised that they are so territorial at this time of year. Our local Vet has asked the local Town Council to place a notice reminding dog walkers that as the wildlife breeding season begins dogs should be kept under close control. However I wonder why this year should be so different--- not aware of such problems here before. The TC are, as usual, completely dumbfounded, all too difficult.

 

[Schoolmarm]

I do hope that the person who has been offended or hurt by any recent episode of pedantry will let us know so that the guilty party can apologise.

xx M

Moo, dearest, I have found the perfick place for you and Joce to meet and discuss all things important to laydees.

http://www.etiquettehell.com/smf/index.php

 

[Moo]

Whatever gave you the idea that I 'm a lady?

Common as muck, me.

xx M

 

[dragonfly]

"mental sludge" -hardly!

Thanks Moo, yes, it's a canvas, or needlepoint really- not a tapestry it its strict sense.

I'm a bit scared of stretching it myself, I think it's a specialist job.

And a question mark does count as a full stop, but I think Pford was referring to the fact that etc is an abbreviation, so technically, should be followed by the full stop, but no-one really bothers with this anymore, just as no-one writes 'phone or 'bus.

I have done needlepoint for years, mainly cushions in my case, which do tend to distort. I've stretched all of them myself quite easily, you just need a nice flat board ans some brass panel pins. I tend to pin out first to get nice and square, with pins about 5cm apart, then once pinned, I use a plant mister to dampen the surface. Leave to dry for about 24 hours and they will be fine.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thanks for your encouragement, dragonfly. I'll have a go... bit sick of the sight of it at the mo so will put off til next week.

Brilliant, someone else who doesn't think needlepoint is a totally naff hobby.