Textile Framing & Embroidery Display
Bespoke textile framing for embroidery, cross stitch, tapestries, samplers and fabric pieces. Laced conservation mounting, spacing that keeps fabric away from the glass, and UV-protective glazing to stop colours fading.
Description
Bespoke Textile Framing by Harten
A finished piece of embroidery or cross stitch can represent hundreds of hours of work, and a family sampler or christening gown may be the only one of its kind. Textiles are also among the easiest things to ruin in a frame: glued down, pressed against the glass, or mounted on acidic board, the damage is often permanent. At Harten we frame textiles the way a museum would, with laced mounting, conservation materials and glazing that never touches the fabric.
Laced Mounting, Never Glue
The correct way to mount most flat textiles is lacing: the fabric is wrapped around an acid-free board and tensioned with thread across the back, pulling the piece square and flat with even tension in every direction. No adhesive touches the fabric at any point, and the whole mounting can be undone by cutting the threads. Fragile or historic pieces that cannot take tension are stitched to a fabric-covered support instead. We wrote a full explanation of lacing versus hinging for textile framing if you want the detail.
Keeping Fabric Away From the Glass
Fabric pressed against glazing traps moisture, flattens texture and can stick over time. Every textile frame we build includes spacing between the fabric and the glazing, either with hidden spacers, a window mount with depth, or full box frame construction for pieces with texture, beading or raised stitching. Dyed thread and fabric fade quickly under UV, so we fit UV-protective glazing as standard, blocking over 99% of harmful wavelengths.
Cross Stitch, Embroidery and Samplers
Cross stitch and embroidery usually arrive slightly off square from the hoop or the stitching itself. Lacing corrects this, pulling the weave straight so borders run parallel to the frame. Mount windows are precision cut on our CAD mount cutter, with double mounts and deep bevels available where the piece suits them. Antique samplers are treated as historic textiles: minimal intervention, conservation materials throughout, and glazing chosen to protect fragile dyes.
Tapestries and Large Textiles
Heavier weaves, tapestries and large fabric panels need proper structural support. Depending on the piece, we lace over a rigid board, stretch over a timber strainer, or use a stitched sleeve and batten so the weight hangs evenly. Size is not a constraint: Harten builds oversized frames up to 4.5 metres, and we have framed commissioned textile series for large commercial developments as well as single family pieces.
Garments and Three-Dimensional Textiles
Not every textile is flat. Kimonos, christening gowns, military uniforms and sports shirts all need depth and internal support. We build padded forms and fabric-covered supports that hold a garment in shape without stitching through it, housed in deep box frames or clear acrylic box frames. For the two garments we frame most often, see our dedicated football shirt framing and wedding dress framing pages.
Fragile and Historic Pieces
Weakened fibres, loose stitching and old repairs call for a gentler approach. Where a piece needs stabilising before it can be mounted, we work with textile conservators we trust and can manage the whole process, then frame the piece with fully reversible methods once it is ready. We have framed stitched religious artefacts in double-sided standing frames and museum pieces where every material had to justify itself. Our conservation framing page explains the materials and standards we work to.
Let's Get Started
Ready to Start Your Project?
Tell us about your artwork and we will provide a free, no-obligation quote. Most projects are completed within 2-4 weeks.
5 Year Guarantee · Museum Grade Quality · Free Consultation
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about framing embroidery, cross stitch and textiles
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By lacing. The fabric is wrapped around an acid-free board and tensioned with thread across the back, which pulls the piece square with even tension in every direction. No glue or tape touches the fabric, and the mounting can be fully undone later. Lacing also corrects the slight distortion most pieces pick up during stitching.
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If the piece is visibly soiled or has hoop marks, a careful hand wash and block by you or a textile specialist is worthwhile, because marks sealed into a frame become long-term problems. If the piece is clean, washing is not essential. We square and tension the fabric during lacing either way.
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No. Fabric against glazing traps moisture and can stick or flatten the texture over time. Every textile frame we build includes spacing between the fabric and the glazing, and pieces with beading or raised stitching get full box frame construction with more depth.
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Yes. We build frames up to 4.5 metres and support large textiles properly, with lacing over rigid board, timber strainers, or sleeve and batten systems for heavy weaves, so the weight hangs evenly and the piece stays flat.
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Yes, with the right preparation. Pieces with weakened fibres or loose stitching may need stabilising by a textile conservator first, which we can arrange. The framing itself uses stitched or laced mounting, conservation materials and UV-protective glazing, and every method we use is reversible.
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Framing a typical cross stitch or embroidery with laced mounting and UV-protective glass starts around £200. Box frame construction for dimensional pieces is around £350, and garment displays are quoted individually based on size and internal support. We provide a detailed, no-obligation quote after seeing the piece.
Speak to a Specialist
Discuss Your Project With Our Team
Our museum grade specialists will help you choose the right materials, finishes and construction for your artwork. Over 50 years of combined experience.
5 Year Guarantee · Museum Grade Quality · Free Consultation
Related Pages
Football Shirt
Bespoke football shirt framing with museum-grade, reversible techniques. Shadow box and floating mount options. Signed shirt specialists. Get a quote today.
Medal Framing
Bespoke medal framing for military, sports and service medals. Conservation-grade mounting, UV-protective glazing and reversible display by Harten.
Wedding Dress Framing
Bespoke wedding dress framing in shadow box displays. UV-protective glazing, acid-free materials and conservation-grade preservation by Harten.
Map Framing
Bespoke framing for antique maps, charts, certificates and documents. UV-protective glazing, acid-free reversible mounting and conservation methods by Harten.
Textile Framing
Bespoke framing for embroidery, cross stitch, tapestries and samplers. Laced conservation mounting, UV-protective glazing and reversible methods by Harten.