Framing and Caring for Hand-Embroidered Silk
Silk is a protein fibre: strong, lustrous and long-lived when treated gently. A hand-stitched panel that took three months to make will outlast its owner if it is hung in the right place.
Where to hang it
- No direct sun. UV fades dyed silk shades unevenly, and a faded gradient cannot be repaired.
- Away from heat and damp. Radiators, fireplaces and exterior walls encourage dryness or condensation behind the glazing.
- Raking side light is ideal. It reveals stitch direction and the shifting sheen that makes hand embroidery worth owning — without the damage that direct sunlight causes.
- Stable room. Avoid bathrooms, kitchens and anywhere with large humidity swings.
Framing that protects
The embroidered surface should not be pressed flat against glass. Use a spacer or a deep rebate so there is an air gap, and ask the framer for acid-free mount board and backing. A sealed frame keeps dust out but should still allow the package to breathe slightly; trapping moisture against silk is worse than a little dust. If the piece is double-sided, it belongs in a stand frame that shows both faces, not flat against a wall.
Cleaning: what is safe
Dust the frame and glazing with a soft dry cloth. Never spray cleaner onto the glass near an unsealed frame, never wipe the embroidered surface, and never use water, solvent or a vacuum on the silk. If something has marked the fabric, or if the piece needs re-framing, take it to a textile conservator rather than attempting a home repair.
Storage and moving
If a framed piece must be stored, keep it in a dry, temperate room, upright and wrapped, with the original crate if you still have it. An unframed panel should be rolled on a wide core with the embroidery facing outwards and interleaved with acid-free tissue — never folded, because a crease in densely stitched silk can be permanent. Let any piece acclimatise for a few hours after a cold delivery before unpacking fully.
A simple routine
Once a year, look at the frame corners, the glazing and the hanging fixings, and check that the room conditions have not changed. That is almost all a hand-embroidered panel needs. For packing and shipping, see Delivered Worldwide.
More detail in the full care guide.