Inexpensive Frames for Your Rugs

Pete makes furniture, like this table lamp, and his leftover materials go into frames for rugs.

Dear Friends,

My brother Pete has become an accomplished woodworker, and his big love is building furniture. But the unexpected by-product of his hobby is the leftover materials he can use to build simple and affordable frames for rugs. I didn't create Noodlings for any kind of commerce, and yet so many of my friends need frames for their rugs. Some of them have purchased rugs from Pete (keep reading). You may have a need or a woodworking friend who can build frames for you. In any case, here's the story on Pete's frames!

Three framed rugs in my home studio.

Do We Need Frames?

Rug hookers talk about this. Personally, I think most rugs need a frame--either in the form of a hooked border or in the form of an actual wooden (or other) frame to hold them and separate them from their surroundings. There was a period when many of us hooked borderless rugs--and that was truly interesting! It didn't alter my opinion that MOST rugs need a border and/or a frame.

What I Like About Pete's Black 1-Inch Frames

• The rug is held in place by 2-sided Gorilla tape, and you can lift your rug off this tape without damage.

• The frames are light and easy to hang with one screw or nail.

• The price is very fair.

• The frames make groupings of rugs very lovely on the wall.

• These frames professionalize my hookings. They're simple and tidy. They show the rug at its best.

12-in. square frames, front and back

Expense of Framing

To take our rugs to a professional framer can become costly, and though I have never spent more than a couple hundred dollars on framing one rug, I know others who have spent a lot more. This kind of frame may not serve every need, but it's an inexpensive way to give our pieces a finished look in a simple frame.

the hanger makes it easy to hang with one screw or nail.

Materials/Paint/Construction

Pete usually builds these out of one-by oak or pine, backed with thin plywood. They're lightweight, compared to other frames I have bought. Like the Ford Model T, these frames come only in black--a matte black paint color.  He sprays them. Each frame has a hanger drilled into the back of it.

Things to Consider When You Intend to Frame Your Rug

• Hook in the Groove--you must hook the outer edges of your rug straight, friends. The corners should be sharp. A wonky rug can be a devil to frame. But keep reading.

  

• Do Not Whip Edges--to frame your rug cleanly, it's best to fold the linen edge back and sew it down. Don't whip with yarn or any other fiber. I have taken out whipping (not fun, but necessary) in order to frame an older rug.

• Measure Precisely--Pete will build it according to your measurements, so measure once and then once again!

  
  

  

  You can order any size, but be sure of your measurements!

• Allow for the Give of Your Backing.  I have ordered frames before I finished my rug. It's probably best not to do this. You'll get a more precise measurement if you measure the finished rug, when your backing has been pulled and stretched a bit by your loops.

• Finesse Your Rug to Make It Fit.  I have pulled out a row or two of loops, and re-hooked a little, to make my rug nestle tightly into its frame. You can do this! It's worth those 30 minutes of finessing.

• Rippling Can Be Flattened.  Most rugs are held in their frames by two-sided Gorilla tape, and minor ripples will smooth out when you place the tape behind them and press your rug against the tape.

• Large Heavy Rugs might need BOTH the Gorilla tape and a couple or three finishing nails across the top of the rug. Sandy has framed very large rugs. I have not.

For PRICING--MEASURE SQUARE INCHES

To me, this little landscape needs to be held by a frame. Otherwise, it's just floating in space.

On the topic of whether a frame is needed, here are two photos. I respect those who disagree, but I think many rugs are shown to advantage in a frame.

Any frame would do, and so would a hooked border. Now the landscape is more distinct.

Caveats and Conditions

I didn't develop this blog, Noodlings, for selling or commerce. I don't get anything from telling you about Pete's frames. I just love to write about rug hooking, and a lot of people seem to need frames. So long as he can keep up with the demand, Pete could be a resource for all of us! Shipping is another story... but if you live within driving distance of Council Bluffs/Omaha, or if you'll be visiting here sometime, maybe you could pick up your rugs in person (from me?).

How to Order

After measuring carefully and precisely, write to tamaraleepavich@gmail.com with the width and height of each rug you want to frame. Be sure he knows which dimension is height and width--so he can drill your hanger in the right place. Let us know if you have a timeframe, and Pete will let us know whether he can meet it. Summer months are tough.

Payment by cash or check can be made when you pick up your frames.

I'll include photos below of rugs in Pete's 1-inch frames--most of them were hooked by Sandy Breach!

Thank you for reading my Noodlings today, friends! Until next time, I wish you Happy Hooking!