Victorian picture frames, as well as frames for mirrors, were all the rage during the Victorian era. Ladies spent many an hour embroidering, painting, or crafting frames to beautify the home and to display a photograph, a piece of artwork, or a sample of embroidery to its best advantage.
The making of pretty frames for mirrors and pictures is not beyond the possibilities of ingenious fingers accustomed to the uses of the needle or brush, and the specimens illustrated on this web page may be easily reproduced.
VICTORIAN PICTURE FRAME
The figure below shows an easily made photograph frame, suitable for a panel picture. To make: Cut a piece of cream white leatherette, 12x15 inches. Begin in the center and cut a slit toward the four corners, and bend the pieces of leatherette outward toward the side; this will form an opening, the size of which will depend upon the length each slit is cut. It must be cut to fit the picture the frame is designed for. The turned back pieces were decorated with gold paint -the upper and lower piece with a band of gold three-quarters of an inch deep and the sides a floral arrangement of roses or pansies without foliage - see illustration - and painted with the gold paint. The piece of leatherette decorated as directed should be backed by a piece of stiff cardboard a size smaller, and the edges of the leatherette should be folded back to the cardboard and glued down; slip the photograph into the opening. Select two and one-half yards No. 12 satin ribbon of a rich gold color and place it squarely around the opening in the frame and tie a bow at the upper corner- complete by fastening a wire standard in the back to support the frame.
Victorian Picture Frame Variations
Any other material may be used for the frame: an eggshell board or celluloid, ivorine, plain cardboard covered with satin decorated with flat embroidery. The outer edges of frame, made as directed, should have a gold band one-quarter of an inch wide, painted all around; or the edges may be picked out in gold in vandykes.
Victorian Picture Frame or Mirror Frame
Below you will find the type of ideas and instructions one would find in books and magazines around 1890. The following instructions are for a beautiful mirror but could be used, of course, to make a wonderful Victorian picture frame as well.
Decorative Frame for a Mirror
Figure No. 1. - The liking for looking at pretty things certainly must be strong when it extends to our mirrors, because we look at them so often! And yet that is the very reason why they should always be in gay attire. The foundation for a mirror frame can be gotten at any of the shops that supply artists' materials, and then the decorative material may be smoothly fastened to it.
The frame illustrated above is covered with dark blue plush, upon which are dogwood blossoms and leaves in white and olive plush, appliquéd with yellow floss. The effect is charming - one wants to look in a mirror that reflects Spring always. This is hung in diamond fashion, bows of satin ribbon of the blue tone being placed just where they seem to hold the pretty flowers in position. While any colored velvet or plush is in taste, still it will be quickly understood by those who have studied decorative effect, why the preference is given to a dark tone - one does not weary of it, as would be the case with a faint tint. White plush is cut in the outlines indicated by Diagram A for the dogwood flowers, the heavy, light and dotted lines showing the three sizes employed. Olive plush is used for the leaves, which are shaped by Diagram B, in which also the outer line follows the largest size, the next the medium one, and the dotted line the smallest, so that each size may be exactly obtained. Care must be taken in cutting them, and a very sharp pair of scissors will be found of use.
Application Stitch for Decoration on Mirror.
FIGURES Nos. 2 AND 3. - The method of applying the decoration on the mirror-frame is here shown. Several strands of yellow silk, which one increases or lessens according to the thickness deemed desirable, are arranged about the margins of the flowers and leaves, and held down by a crossing stitch made in the manner illustrated. Figure No. 2 shows the way the needle is inserted, and Figure No. 3 where it is carried through; the latter point being directly under the point where the needle is to be next inserted. Great care should be taken that these stitches be made at regular intervals and to extend across without the least slant.
Please check back often as more Victorian picture frame illustrations and instructions will be added from time to time.
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