Back in the 1980’s when cross stitch and country decorating were very popular, W T Rogers made ring frames that were designed to help you finish your needlework or other crafts into ornaments or small framed pictures. They are just one of several companies that made these. You can still find them pretty easily and they are very inexpensive. I like the Rogers ones because they are real wood and so the finished design looks a bit nicer.
Recently I bought a bunch to use to finish ornaments. I have 3″ and 4″ stained wood rounds. I have also seen them in gold as well as in other shapes. In fact I still hang on my tree some ornaments made using them.
The package has the round frame with decorative hanging ring and a cardboard self-adhesive circle for backing.
A very important thing to remember about these frames is the measurement is the outside measurement. Your finished needlepoint will need to be smaller all around in order to fit. This means that you need to be careful about the pieces you pick to fit in the rounds. For example the Kathy Schenkel hummingbird pictured here is 3.5″ in diameter; a 4″ diameter canvas would be too large.
As you can see from the picture above the back of the frame has an indentation cut in it. Trim your needlepoint to fit this space using the cardboard as your template. The needlepoint will fit snugly into the space.
Peel the protective paper off the cardboard disk and press it onto the back of the needlepoint. Push the cardboard into the frame all around. it should snap in there easily.
One of the things that makes these frames scream “country” is the Early American rings at the top of the frame. These screw in and can easily be removed. Replace them with a plain screw with a small ring and add a matching ribbon as a hanger.
If you don’t like the color you could also paint or stain the frame. Sand it throughly before doing this to remove the varnish. If needed, sand with a finer paper to make the frame smooth. Stain or paint and protect with polyurethane varnish or Mod Podge. Let dry completely before adding your needlepoint.
I just love how delightful this ornament is and how easily I could finish it.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
I can’t find these frames anywhere. Any suggestions?
I found mine on eBay. They were extremely popular in the 1980’s. My best suggestion is to keep an eye out for them in cross stitch supplies on eBay and Etsy.
Keep stitching,
Janet