Mounting an old sampler
When this sampler arrived there was a very unwelcome sound as I open the box - that unmistakable sound of shattered glass. Fortunately, although the glass was shattered, I was able to get all of it out without damaging the sampler itself.Now I had a darling sampler that wasn't framed and I needed to mount it. Fortunately, I learned how to mount embroidery at the RSN. I did NOT learn how to conserve antique textiles and I don't claim to be an expert in the conservation of antique textiles.Since it was already "out of the frame" (by accident rather than by choice!) I was able to examine it closely and was relieved to find that it had not been glued down to the board at the back. Using our vacuum cleaner with the suction at the lowest and a filter over the attachment to protect the threads in the sampler, my husband and I gently cleaned it. There had been some dust in the sampler as it was much brighter when we were finished. I probably wouldn't have done this to an older and more valuable piece.
Next, I took two pieces of acid free mat board and glued them together with Copydex glue. I let the glue dry while I cut a piece of linen larger than the mat board. When the glue between the boards was dry, I laid a piece of 100% cotton batting/wadding on the top and glued the linen onto the mat board with a large overlap on the back. (see photo above)
Now I had a piece of acid free mat board with 100% cotton batting/wadding on the top and all covered with linen, glued to the back of the board so no glued area was touching the sampler.
I placed the sampler on top of the padded board and, when I was sure it was placed where I wanted it, pinned it down using very tiny straight pins. (see below)
I left an edge of linen showing around the edge of the sampler. Carefully I adjusted the placement of the sampler, so the linen edge was even all the way around.Using a small curved needle, I attached the edge of the sampler with invisible stitch to the padded front of the board. Since the board was padded and I wasn't trying to line up the embroidery exactly with the edge of the board, it was easier than mounting often is for me! Whew! It's NOT my favorite thing to do!
One lovely "side effect' of mounting the sampler on the white linen is that it looks much brighter! Next step is to get it framed with Clarity glass - something I learned about when I got the pieces I bought at Witney Antiques framed in Leamington Spa at Regent Print and Frame Ltd. It's fabulous and makes everything behind the glass so clear as well as protected - it's perfect for needlework which often loses detail when behind glass!