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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Northern Lights Lodge, post: 1950450, member: 13464&quot;]My pleasure. The Maltese may indeed be silk then - I couldn&#039;t pick up a sheen in the photos. As for framing. My most valuable suggestions are: SEW/BASTE the lace onto what ever backing you choose. Use acid free if using a matte board (I like acid free suede board) or if using a fabric - try to use something without a lot of dye that may come off or bleed. Try and make sure to leave a small space between the lace and the glass. </p><p><br /></p><p>What I try to do; when using suede board - is to lay the right size suade board over a thick piece of styrofoam. Lay out my lace carefully and make strategic pricked holes into the pin holes in the lace. I prick in &quot;doubles&quot;...two pin holes... one IN the lace pin hole and another very close. Then space another set maybe a 1/2&quot; away. They need to be enough that the lace stays put when placed vertically as you don&#039;t want it to droop and mar the finished appearance. As I &quot;prick&quot; these holes; I leave a pin in the lace pin hole - not deeply but enough that after I have them all pricked; that I can remove many of them to keep the lace aligned and pick up the suede board and the lace from the styrofoam.</p><p><br /></p><p>Using a similar size and color thread to the lace and fine needle; Anchor the thread on the back side, leaving a long thread - scotch tape will work.&nbsp; I begin on the back and remove the first pin in the lace; then carefully bring the needle up through the pin hole in the lace and go back down through the second nearby pin hole. Continue, one pin at a time by a long stitch to the next double set of pin holes and work your way around the edge; and if necessary, any pin holes in the middle to hold the piece flat in the center of the work. When finished; (if possible) tie the end with the original long end of thread waiting under the tape (remove tape - before tying the knot). Tape will probably suffice; but I prefer to tie and remove the tape. This method has worked well for me and I&#039;ve used it for years. </p><p><br /></p><p>Even if I have the piece professionally framed. I take the lace to the frame shop; decide on the frame and mat. He will cut the mat for me. I take it home and sew on the lace and then return the completed mat to the framer. I don&#039;t trust anyone else to sew it on properly.</p><p><br /></p><p>If using fabric. I use a foam core board. Baste the appropriate fabric firmly around the edges of the board. Then I proceed as with the previous directions. </p><p><br /></p><p>Any tiny holes made by your prickings; generally won&#039;t show after it is framed as there is no back light once it is framed. Light color suede board is less forgiving. Fabric is often more forgiving.</p><p><br /></p><p>I don&#039;t know your term &quot;naff&quot;... I&#039;ve used velvet; but velvet will pick up light here and there and may give an sheen that deters from the lace. A matter of your own choice I think. And of course, with velvet, I think it matters even more to have that space between the glass and the lace/fabric.</p><p><br /></p><p>Have fun with it! Enjoy your finished projects!&nbsp; OH, something to consider with the hairpin lace piece. It is undoubtedly meant to be &quot;fluted&quot; with starch. Therefore, probably wouldn&#039;t lay flat in the frame.</p><p><br /></p><p>Leslie[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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