Project: New Piece of Florence Broadhurst

Here is my latest addition. Another holidays project from my long list of 'to do'.

On one of my excurions to Signature Prints, I picked up this beautiful white silk piece, printed in off-white and browns in the 'Cranes' design.

'Cranes' is, I think, the most iconic design of the Florence Broadhurst range, but that's just my opinion.

Sorry the photos aren't great. I took it late-ish in the afternoon and do really need to get son #1, the photographer, to advise on a good 'point and shoot' DSLR. (Or maybe hint for Christmas??)

I have a couple of display easels, which I love as a great way to decorate, but have never used them. So now I have. This is in the family room, behind the lounge that faces my other Florence artwork, 'Egrets' wallpaper art.

You can see a photo of 'Egrets' and read about how to make 'Wallpaper Art' here.

So, now to how I did it. The instructions look like a lot, but it's easy really.

Materials:

• Canvas (blank from Spotlight, Lincraft or the like) - a cheap one, to the size you want. You can disguard the canvas if you wish. I did, leaving it on makes the artwork look a bit bulky at the sides.

NB the blank canvas I bought was the one with a low profile (depth) frame. If you buy one with the deeper profile, you'll need to add a bit more over hang of fabric - refer below.

• Fabric - your choice and should fit the canvas frame size plus hangover of about 10cm every side. Look for a mid-weight fabric. Light weight tends to stretch and rip/pull, heavier weight is a bit tough to handle and can also look bulky when you fold over the corners.
• Backing fabric - as above, to fit your size frame plus hangover. I used white 100% cotton for mine.
• Staple gun
• A pair of canvas pliers to assist stretching the fabric over the frame, if you have them. If not, get an extra pair of hands to help you stretch and hold the fabric while you staple.
• Finishing tape - not sure what they call it, but you can get it from art supplies and/or framing shops. It's brown in colour and they use it to tape off the backs of framed artwork. They'll know what you are talking about when you describe it to them. I bought mine in Taree, haven't had time to scope the Sydney scene for this yet. Will let you know when I do.

Instructions:

1. Prepare your frame - i.e. take off the canvas, if that's is what you are prepared to do
2. Iron your fabric pieces, the design piece AND the backing piece
3. Cut fabric pieces to size, together. Lay one on top of the other, place your frame over them, measure your over hang and cut to size
4. Cover your work area/bench so as not to damage or mark your design piece. Lay your fabrics down first with the design facing down, then your frame. You should have - design piece, backing piece, then frame.
5. Staple ONE side all the way along except for about 5 - 10 cms from the corner (depending on your frame size). You need room to fold over your corners at the end. Work from the middle out to the sides.
6. On the OPPOSITE side to the one you have just stapled, stretch the fabric using either the canvas pliers or your helper, until the fabric is taught but not too tight. Pulling too tight will show 'dips' where your staples are pulling.
7. Staple the fabric from the middle of the side you are working on, and out as above in step 5. Again leave some room to do your corners.
8. Before moving to the other 2 sides and repeat the stapling process, check the front of your artwork, see if it's pulling anywhere.
9. While you are doing this, from the middle of the remaining unstapled sides, pull to stretch (& hold) the fabric over the frame, making sure none of the fabric is twisting. You may need your helping hand again here. Hold these in place at the middle and put a holding staple there.
10. You can now staple from the middle and out again, stretching as you go. Remember, leave a bit at the end to help with doing the corners.
11. Fold your corners over neatly and staple. Up to you how you fold the corners, just make sure they are neat folds, you know, so they don't look bulky from the front.
12. Use finishing tape to cover all edges and staples on the back of your frame.

Have a go and good luck.

If you need help, email me on designed.to.a.t@optusnet.com.au