Framing Embroidery in a Vintage Window

First, determine the size of the window panes. Measure the width and height of the glass panes (ours measured 7 3/4 inches wide by 12 1/2 inches high).

The following 12 steps will be repeated for each panel in the window.

To prepare the fabric for the embroidered design, draw the shape of the pane (using an air-erase pen) onto the fabric using the glass dimensions you just measured. Cut around the shape leaving about one inch of excess fabric. 

We will be placing the designs in the center of each pane. To do this, mark the center point of all four sides. (To find this point, measure each side and divide by two.) Then, draw lines to connect the marks. Where the lines meet is the exact center point of the pane.

Use embroidery software to print a full size template of each embroidery design. 

Next, place the template on the fabric and trim around the template to make it easy to assign the center point. Poke a hole in the center of the template and align it with the center point on the fabric. Make sure that the design fits well within the available space. There should be a few extra inches between the edges of the template and the shape drawn on the fabric. 

We created this design by merging letters together from the  "Dots Alphabet" . 

Click here  to see more about how to merge embroidery designs together using embroidery software.

Remove the paper template. Spray a piece of cutaway stabilizer with temporary adhesive and smooth over the top of the fabric. Hoop the fabric and stabilizer together by aligning the lines on the fabric with the marks on the hoop.

Attach the hoop to the machine and load the design. Move the hoop so that the needle is right over the center point on the fabric. Embroider the design.

When the design has finished stitching out, unhoop the fabric and trim the excess stabilizer from the back of the fabric.

To prepare the fabric mat border, cut a piece of the print cotton fabric to match the size of the fabric panel shape that was previously measured. (We cut ours to 7 3/4 inches by 12 1/2 inches).

In order to give the fabric support and prevent fraying after cutting, trim a piece of the fusible stabilizer or fusible interfacing a bit larger than the print cotton (We are using Floriani No Show Mesh Fusible). Lay the fabric on top of the stabilizer, with the wrong side of the fabric facing the "iron-on" side of the stabilizer. Iron the fabric to activate the adhesive (Refer to package instructions on the stabilizer for iron temperature settings).

Trim off the excess stabilizer around the shape. 

Then, to determine the size of the center �cutout� of the mat fabric, take the size of the largest design you are embroidering and add approximately one inch to the height and width dimensions. The largest design that we are embroidering is 4 1/8 inches by 6 7/8 inches. The dimensions we'll use for cutting the mats is 5 1/8 inch by 7 7/8 inches.

Next, take the width of the mat fabric and subtract the width of the cutout (ours is 7 3/4 inches minus 5 1/8 inches which equals 2 5/8 inches). Then, take the height of the mat fabric and subtract the height of the cutout (ours is 12 1/2 inches minus 7 7/8 inches which equals 4 5/8 inches).
Take both of those dimensions and divide by two (ours equals 1 3/8 inches for the width and 2 3/8 inches for the height). 

Using the dimensions calculated, measure and mark in from each side edge using the width (our width is 1 3/8 inches) and measure and mark in from the top and bottom edges using the height (our height is 2 3/8 inches). Draw lines connecting the marks - this is the shape of the cutout.

Make a small cut in the center of the fabric and follow the lines to cut out the shape. 

Now we will add the fabric mat to the embroidered panel.

Spray the wrong side (stabilizer side) of the mat fabric with a bit of adhesive.

Align the mat fabric on top of the embroidered panel using the shape lines on the fabric to line up the mat. Smooth in place.

Zigzag stitch the mat around the inside edges. Then, sew a 1/8 inch seam around the outer edge of the mat using a straight stitch.

Repeat the above steps (embroidering, mat cutting, and sewing process) for all individual panels on the window.

Now that the panels are complete, it is time to assemble the window! 

Cut a piece of foam board for each panel using a craft knife and cutting pad.

To do this, take the size of the embroidered fabric panel and subtract 1/4 inch from each dimension. Our embroidered panel is 7 3/4 inches by 12 1/2 inches, so we cut our foam board pieces to 7 1/2 inches by 12 1/4 inches. 

To add the fabric panel to the board, lay the panel fabric right side down. Align the board on the backside of the panel using the outer seam of the fabric mat as a guide. Lay a line of hot glue along the top and bottom edges and wrap the fabric around to the backside of the board and press in place.

Then, lay a line of glue along the two sides and wrap the fabric around to the backside and press in place.

At each corner trim the excess fabric. 

Lay the window face down on a sturdy surface. Add each panel face down on the inside of each glass pane.

Cut another piece of foam board the same size as the panel so it is even with the window pane. Align the foam board on the back of the panel and apply strips of masking tape around the edges of the board.

Finish the window by cutting a piece of tag board (or pieces, if necessary) to fit the backside of the entire window frame. Apply hot glue around the edges of the window, align the tag board, and press in place.