Refreshing a Cherished Vintage Upcycle

Happy Monday, Friends! Years ago, I scored the large cross-stitch and vintage frame at two different yard sales. The frame needed a lot of love, but after I completed the project, it became a cherished favorite. Today I'm sharing why it needed a refresh and how I did it... 

vintage cross-stitch

Long before the pandemic, I was thrilled to discover this large completed cross-stitch in a pile of clothes for $1. Although the frame needed a lot of work, it was also a yard sale bargain. After painstakingly repainting it, I carefully framed the beautiful stitched art. Over time, it gradually lost its tautness and began to sag in the middle. Below is an after close up. I apologize for not including a before shot--I could have sworn I took one, but I must have overlooked it in my preoccupation to complete the project. Does anyone else do this?!

project refresh

Even so, I can show you the steps I took to achieve the finished look. Because Be True is in a guest room and I don't see it daily, the task of removing the stitchery from the frame, stretching it taught, and reframing it got placed on the back burner. If you have similar procrastinated projects, the winter months are a great time to tackle them. 

vintage frame tips

It wasn't a difficult project, just a bit tedious. I started by removing the framing nails and staples from the fabric. (I originally used a staple gun to attach the fabric to the cardboard backing. However, since the fabric sagged over time, I decided to try double-sided tape this time.) Next, I ironed the backside of the cross-stitch until it was smooth.  Then pulling the fabric taut, I used double-sided tape one side at a time to reattach the fabric. Last, after placing it back inside the frame, I replaced the framing nails.

vintage frame tips

Using the double-sided tape made it easier to keep the fabric stretched and taut, and I'm really pleased with the results! Here, you can see the frame details a little closer.  

vintage cross-stitch

My Thrift Store Addiction

vintage cross-stitch refresh

Join me on Wednesday for Vintage Charm and then, Thursday I'll be participating in the monthly Creative Crafts blog hop! 

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Would you like to comment?

  1. Did you have to redo the frame? Would love to see that!

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  2. Gorgeous! That frame is lovely, too! So many people seem to complete such a long term project, then get discouraged when they find out that it costs at least $60-80 to have it mounted and donate it. I usually do embroidered pix your way unless they need more even tension. Then I do what I call the "shoelace" to it. I spray starch (some don't due to bugs) and steam iron it. Then I tape or hem the edges. Stitch up the long sides over the mounting board like I was lacing new sneakers and pull it taut, then do that to the short side. Does anyone else do it that way. Lot of work, and you have to be careful not to bow the cardboard or board but usually works well. I have tried a self-stick board once and that worked OK, but not as good as tension. I have found numerous samplers and a few pictures/needlepoint over the years that look so nice when they are framed.

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  3. If you wander by Inn of the Hills, wave to us :-)

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  4. What a beautiful upcycle Cecilia and what a great find! I'll be so glad when things open up again. I miss stumbling across things like this! You made it gorgeous again. Thanks so much for sharing.

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