By: VSAUER

decorating picture frames

    > I was wondering if anyone out there has tried to
    > make decorated picture frames ... I'm particularly
    > interested in the fabric covered ones.

Yup, they are very easy to make.  If you've ever made a padded
photo album, jewelry box, or any padded box, the technique is
almost identical.  Different looks can be achieved by country
calico, moire, lace, braid, et cetera.

I hope that this is clear, since it is all off the top of my
head.  However, I've made a lot of these frames, so don't
hesitate to ask questions.

You'll need:  Large piece scrap paper
              Pen or pencil
              Scotch tape or masking tape
              Heavy poster board (called "illustration board") *
                    (Corrugated cardboard can be substituted,
                     but the frame won't be as permanent.)
              Old newspapers
              XActo knife
              Ruler (optional)
              Polyester fiberfill (the kind in sheets)
                     (This comes in a package rolled up as a
                     blanket; all Five 'n Tens and crafts stores
                     carry it.)
              Felt-tipped Magic marker
              Fabric (ironed)
              Trims (such as braid or lace)
              Glue  (glue gun or thick white craft glue; if
                     using the craft glue, spring type
                     clothespins will be helpful although they
                     aren't essential)
              Transparent acetate *

              *  available at art supply stores

-- Make a pattern by drawing the desired outer shape of the
   frame onto a large piece of scrap paper (e.  g., oval,
   square, heart-shaped, rectangular, or whatever)
-- Draw the desired frame's opening in the center of the pattern
   (a circle, heart, square, or whatever shape and size you want
   the opening to be).
-- Make a pattern for the "stand".  Since that is hard to
   describe without a picture, either look at an existing frame
   for inspiration, or just measure the frame and draw a
   rectangle one-half the height and width of the frame.
-- Tape the pattern to the poster board.
-- Place the poster board and patterns over _MANY_ layers of
   newspaper on your working surface.
-- Cut out all both patterns with the XActo knife. (If
   available, use a ruler as a guide when cutting straight
   lines.)
-- Tape the pattern over another area of the poster board.  Cut
   out only the outside pattern (i. e., not the center opening).
   This will be for the back of the frame.
-- Hold the "stand" lengthwise.  Use the XActo knife to cut a
   horizontal slit in it about 2/3rds of the way down.  (This is
   to enable it to easily fold backwards to support the frame.)
-- Place poster board frame cut-out over Fiberfill.  Trace
   around it with the magic marker.
-- Cut out the fiberfill frame shape, cutting along the inner
   edge of the marker pattern.
-- Spread one side of poster board front frame (cut-out with
   opening in center) with glue.  Place fiberfill frame shape on
   top; pat into place.
-- Place fabric wrong-side-up over working surface.  Place frame
   front fiberfill-side-down over fabric.  Use magic marker to
   draw around it.  Repeat with frame back, then make two fabric
   tracings of the stand.
-- Cut out one fabric stand pattern.
-- Cut out remaining three fabric patterns, leaving 1/2-inch
   margins all the way around both the outside and the inner
   openings.
-- For each of the three fabric patterns with the 1/2-inch
   margin, cut little slits here and there between the outer
   edges and the marker lines to make the edges easier to round.
-- Place all fabric patterns wrong-side-up over working
   surface.
-- Place stand scored-side-up over fabric stand pattern with
   1/2-inch margin.  Spread glue along sides of stand.  Pull
   fabric up around edges, pressing over the glue.  (If not
   using a glue gun, spring-type clothespins are very helpful
   for holding in place.)  Set aside to dry.
-- Place frame front fiberfill-side-down over fabric frame
   front pattern.  Spread glue along sides and of poster
   board.  Pull fabric up over edges, pressing over the glue.
   Repeat around inner opening.  Set aside to dry.
-- Place frame back fiberfill-side-down over fabric frame
   front pattern.  Spread glue along sides of poster board.
   Pull fabric up over edges, pressing over the glue.  Set aside
   to dry.
-- Spread glue over back of poster board stand.  Glue fabric
   stand pattern over it, covering the poster board.  Let dry.
-- If using lace, affix as desired (e. g., spread glue over rear
   sides of front frame and glue lace edges, right side down,
   beginning and ending at bottom of frame).
-- Cut piece of acetate slightly larger than frame opening.
   Spread thin later of glue over rear edges of frame opening.
   Gently press acetate onto that.  Let dry.
-- Spread glue over top and sides of frame back.  Gently pat
   onto frame front.  Let dry.
-- If using braid, glue around edges, making sure to leave
   opening at bottom of frame.
-- Spread glue over top third (part above the score line) of
   scored side of stand.  (This will be the side on which you
   glued the stand pattern without the margin, so it will have
   rough edges if you look very carefully.  Also, it will be
   the part that allows the bottom part to swing forward.)
-- Glue in place behind the frame (so that, when pulled outward,
   it will enable the frame to stand.)
-- If desired, add flowers or other trims.

That's all.   Just slip the picture into the opening at the
bottom of the frame.