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Locked frames andfabric backgrouttds

Many of the miniaturo* in {hi? book are assembled in locked frames which are manuractured for pressed-flower work and rango froin one inch to six inches in size. The frames can be purchased complute with a per-$pexcovering, a card basu, a layerof thin foam padding to place behind ihe base, a locking piąte and a backing card, along with instructions for assembling Ihem correctly. Coloured card can be used in place of the plain card provided, or you may prefor to use anattrac-tiw strap of fabricas an aitemative background. Prom a larg? scrap bag collected for the purpose, 1 have experimented with silks, crepe-de-chine, satins and velvets in a wide assortmunt of colours to show certa i n flowcrs to the besl advantage. Other fabrics can bu used, but it is best to avoid pronouiiced texlures and tones which mieht distract from the natural shades of the dried materiał. Always iron the fabric first and if steam ha i to be used to remove stubbom creases, leave the fabric lo air ovemight in a wnnn place. Velvet should also be dry-ironed on the back to make ihe pile morę manageable.

Remove the perspcx, foam, piąte and backing card co one side and ciii a square of fabric largo enough to cover the basu card with a generous allowance ali round. Fil the frame into place owr the fabric and card, aćjusting the fabric untii ii lies smooth and fiat in the rtianner used for fastening materiał into a needlework ring. With the frame stil! in position, assemble the flower arrangement and removc the frame when the work is compleled. The arrangement should then be covered by the perspex. but remember, this is a hicky stage as loose petals and particles can casily lift up through static and catch on to the cover. 1 have found that by tui ping the pcrspcx clcan with a natural, not synthetie, piece of rag and then rubbing it lightly across my cheek, the materiał is morę inclined to remain in position.

When the perspcx is in place, replace the frame and insert the piece of foam behind the basu* card benealh thefoldsof the fabric. Trimaway the surplus fabric and then press the locking piąte into position. If thick velvet has been used, this might be difficult and it will be neoessary to remove the frame to trim the fabric away exactly around the edge of the base card. If possible, hołd the perspex in position while trimming and blow away thecut threads while you work because these can easily slip into the flower arrangement and Can be very tedious to remove with a needle point. A smali piece of self-adhesive tape or film rolled into a cirdc will be useful fo; pickińg up loose specks from a background but do not touch any part of the arrangement because it will also lift this away as well. Once the locking piąte i; in position, the back card will fit easily into place.

Assembling a velvet mount

Apart from frames, there are other items manufactured with mounts for miniaturę decoration and these inelude pendants for jewcllery which can be threaded on chains or fixed to brooch fittings, pili boxes, tiny trinket pots, lidded bowls, compact and key fobs. For an hnpressive presentation, a miniaturę can be enclosed in a velvet mount. The arrangement opposiie was assemblcd on a poi lid and fitted into a frame, bofli purchased from the same source.

A different form of mounted miniaturę dispkys a Candyiufi fiouar kead fiunked with grotu Geranium leaws, purple Hydrangea p.ozoers and Acjuilegia leares with heo i:t:y Trefoits hi ihe top. Cow Parsley and pink Alyssum chisten break up ihe strong, dark colours winek could easily werpower Ihe sof! pink cotouring in ihe centre.

This arrangement is sealed in$ide a frame and inssried into a padded velvet maml. Instructions for making the mount aregizwi overler,f.