Using calico for picture backing

[tracey]

I have turned my attention to backing my pictures,  hopefully with a view to sell them.

I have been using medium weight calico and it has worked fine on sizes in the realm of up to 19" x 19".

I am working on my biggest piece so far, which is 21" x 28".  My question is do you think heavy weight calico should be used on this size piece, or does it not really matter either way? 

[lyn]

It really depends on the felt i.e. how firm/thick it is. Try pinning the piece up against both weights of calico to judge.

[tracey]

Thanks Lyn, DOH!, good point, never thought of it that way. I am not making them thick, two layers then top blends/design. More so with this larger one, as I want to be able to roll it well enough for machine stitching.

[koffipot]

I've backed hangings with calico. As Lyn says, the thickness of the felt determines the weight of the backing cloth., though I have found a medium weight sufficient even for quite thick pieces.

I've also discovered these 'Command' picture hanging strips are great for hangings, keeping them snugly against the wall. They come in various sizes, but the small ones are sufficient for most fabric hangings.

command.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/command-gb/products/~/Command-Small-White-Picture-Hanging-Strips?N=5002385+8709316+8710658+8711749+8723963+3292937138&rt=rud

[tracey]

Thanks Judith. I know of these strips, we use them to fix our shower caddy to the wall, so chances are they will manage with felt!

[koffipot]

Thanks for that tip Tracey. Interesting to know they work well in wet environments Tracey.

[tracey]

Well there you go - where else would you find wool,  fibre and DIY tips in the same place ? ! 

[lyn]

Great idea Judith!

[Pandagirl]

I just used command strips on my last two felt hangings. Better than putting nails in the wall. :-)

[lyn]

Amazon is sending me a pack - can't wait to try them!

[koffipot]

Aug 1, 2017 21:34:36 GMT Pandagirl said:

I just used command strips on my last two felt hangings. Better than putting nails in the wall. :-)

And they can be removed without causing damage. Do you think I could ask for commission?

[Shepherdess]

I will have to get some of these. I wondered how strong they are. I am not sure what you are doing with the calico to back them. Do you have a picture of the back of one. I usually just stick them(with 2 inch wide Velcro at the top and a couple of button at the bottom) to the canvas inside the frame.

[koffipot]

They're very strong Ann. My son uses the bigger ones to hang framed and glazed pictures. If you're hanging heavy things such as those, then you just use the large ones and place one at each corner.