Reframing a Thrift Store Vintage Crewel

When I was in Jr. High in Northern California we had the opportunity to take some pretty fun, groovy, and cool electives because it was the late seventies and I think the adults knew that crafts and using our hands and play were good for our development. One class that I took was an entire quarter of stitchery where we sat around and embroidered and needlepointed, cross-stitched and did crewel work. I know I still have a couple of those stitcheries...somewhere. It was such a relaxing part of the school day.

Seventies and eighties stitcheries are making a huge comeback in home decor. And while they are becoming more pricey and more elusive, there are some really sweet and great pieces still out there in thrift store land. Here is the BEFORE of a crewel artwork piece that I recently bought at a favorite local thrift store. 

It was cute as is, but a little wrinkly and even though the blue mat looks like it could be surrounding sky, there is no blue in the stitchery. I decided to reframe it.

I recently got two 50 year old watercolor paintings for $3 each. They came in these frames that were painted barn red. I removed the paintings because They were wrong in these frames. I painted one green for the crewel.

The green brings out the green in the art. Framing something in a darker color than the background helps to really, well, frame it. I ironed the crewel. Look for a date on stitched pieces as they often have dates in the corners.

After ironing, I stretched over the piece of foam core board that was in the frame I used. I taped the middle sections on all four sides first with packing tape. I then taped the corners and finally the rest of the sides, continuing to stretch the fabric tight. 

This vintage, bright, and cheerful crewel artwork is hanging in my mudroom above my reusable shopping bag hanger. It is okay to decorate your utility spaces like mudrooms and laundry rooms. I made this bag hanger from wood curtain rings. I shared the tutorial HERE.

Full disclosure here: after a few months some of the rings that I had originally glued broke off. I ended up using copper pipe or strap U clamps to better secure them. The bag holder still work great. The artwork I had hanging here ended up on my gallery wall in my bedroom reading nook.

This little wall space is next to the half bath that we just remodeled. It really does add a bit of sunshine to this space. I love the memory of my junior high stitching class that these vintage crewels evoke and the hip and happy vibe is a welcome addition.