| Hanging Picture Display |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-211 |
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Q: I'm trying to put bows and ribbons on top of my pictures. Can you tell me how to do this? A: (Debbie Stapely, Ask DIY Crafts expert) Hanging photos on ribbons is inexpensive, and the whole project can take less than 15 minutes! It's also a great way to display a lot of photographs with only one or two holes in the wall. Here's what you do: Materials:
Thick, sturdy ribbons
Pinking sheers
Metallic rings purchased from the hardware store
Self-adhesive Velcro
Scissors
- Choose your ribbon. There are lots of options, but you want a substantial ribbon that's at least 1-1/2 inches wide. Choose a tapestry or velvet, not a flimsy ribbon that won't hang down properly. Cut a length of ribbon 4 to 6 feet long, depending on the space you want to fill.
- Create a loop in the top of your ribbon with a metallic ring a couple of inches in diameter and some Velcro or other type of hook-and-loop tape. Stick a piece of the tape to the top of the ribbon, on the side that will face the wall. Put the corresponding piece of self-adhesive tape a couple of inches down on the same side of the ribbon. Feed the ribbon through the metal loop a couple of inches (figure A) and then fold it down to connect the two pieces of tape.
- Space several small pieces of Velcro along the front of the ribbon, about 7 inches apart. Press the corresponding bits of self-adhesive tape to the backs of photos and use the tape to attach the photos to the ribbons.
- Finish the bottom edge of the ribbon by folding it in half and then cutting the bottom inch or so on the diagonal with pinking shears to create a "fish tail."
- Hang the ribbon on a nail or picture hanger by the metal ring. If you like, knot another ribbon over the ring. You can also mount your photos first on attractive heavy paper, using sticky photo corners. If you're nervous about displaying valuable photos, use photocopies in the display instead.
Another way to casually display a lot of photos is a sort of clothesline (figure B) that you drape across a window. Remove the hooks from two of those suction-cup dish-towel holders you buy at the hardware store. Just pop the hooks right off. Wrap picture-hanging wire around the smaller disk on the suction cup (figure C), leaving several yards, and cut the wire. Thread several drapery hooks across the wire or attach alligator hooks. Then wrap the other end of the wire around the other suction cup. Attach the suction cups to the window frame on either side of a window and then clip photos (mount them on heavy paper first) along the wire. If your window is very sunny, protect the photos by changing them often or backing them with heavy, dark paper. More Questions for Debbie:
Q: Would I use the same method if I had small pictures in small frames? Is there another way to attach frames to ribbon?
A: I wouldn't try to hang a framed picture on a ribbon. It would be too heavy. A better way to incorporate ribbon with frames is to put two decorative eye-screws on the top of a frame. Then thread a long ribbon through the eye-screws, draw up the ends and tie them together a foot or two above the frame. Use the ribbon to hang the frame from a hook or even just a nail.
Q: How do I properly frame my son's baseball T-shirt to hang in his room?
A: I would buy a shadow-box frame that the T-shirt could fit in. Then, cover a piece of foam core with fabric that matches the room or the shirt, attach the shirt to the foam core with T-pins and frame the foam core with the shadow box.
Q: I'm doing a project that involves PVC sheets, not pipes. Where can I find something like that?
A: Look in the Yellow Pages under "plastics," because they do sell plastic in sheets in all densities and thicknesses. That would be your best bet. Web site resources for Crafts: Hanging Picture Display: Picture Perfect from HGTV.com Photo Display from HGTV.com Arrange Pictures On A Wall from IVillage.com Books: Decorating With Pictures
By Stephanie Hopper, Michael Hopper, Catherine Haig
ISBN: 0609803778
Clarkson Potter (1998)
Crown Business
Random House Inc.
299 Park Ave.
New York, NY 10171
Phone: 212-572-2275
Fax: 212-572-4949
Web site: www.randonhouse.com
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