AboutSara Tro Expertise I am a professional custom picture framer and designer. I have experience in all areas of
picture framing, and own my own custom framing shop. I can answer questions relating
to the design of a piece, the preservation of the artwork, color theory, photograph
restoration, decor, art placement, room balancing and installation questions.
Experience I have owned my own retail custom frame shop for 5 years, and managed a high-end shop before that for 5.5 years. I worked for a professional restorer and archivist for 8 months prior to the management position. I am also a fine artist myself, with a BFA in Photography and Printmaking, and have been framing my own work for years and years.
Education/Credentials BFA Fine Arts, NYSCC at Alfred University, NY
Expert: Sara Tro Date: 3/23/2008 Subject: Hanging an Hermes Scarf Temporarilly
Question Hi there. I'm in a pickle. I bought this great, classic, square, silk, scarf from
Hermes. I want to wear it occasionally. I also want to hang in on my wall
when I'm not wearing it. It looks great and the colors are perfect for the
room. I have seen the Hermes store display them on the walls by
"suspending" them on a wall using small metal clothspin like clips attached at
the corners. I guess they change out the scarves regualarly. The "clips" seem
to stretch them and show off the design. How can I do this at home? Where
should I go to buy the supplies? Thanks for your feedback.
Answer Hi Christian,
Sorry for the delay in responding.. I didn't get my usual notice that I had a question waiting.. it got spammed for some reason! I'm so sorry!
I hope my delay didn't foul up your plans at all..
So, to hang a scarf that you want to be able to wear occaisionally...
hmmmm...
I think the idea of having it clipped to something is a good one.
You could get a frame sized to a little bigger than the exterior of the scarf, and then to the back of the frame attach little clips. They sell these clips at Bed Bath & Beyond that you can use to install curtains.. they have a little ring attached to a clip. So, attach the ring to the back of the frame and the clip will hang down, loose, and can then clip to the scarf. I think it's important to also pad the clip with some silk scraps, or a piece of a cotton towel.. Cut little pieces and fold it around the part of the scarf you intend to clip. This way, the scarf wont get permanently dented or marked by the metal clip. And, I wouldn't stretch the scarf super taught. Silk tends to stretch a lot anyway, and it will hold a shape too. If you stretch all four corners tight, I think it could get misshapen. (Even though it'll look better on the wall totally stretched). To weigh the bottom corners, you could use something very lite, like plastic paperclips, to keep the bottom corners a little heavier. Or, you could attach two more clips to the bottom back corners of the frame, but you might attach the rings to the wood with something that gives or stretches, like maybe a rubber band or something. that way, the scarf is stretched, but not pulled.
If you don't want to have to get a frame, you could use two strips of wood trim, thin and not too bulky (like builders lathe), paint it the color of the wall, attach the clips to that and attach the wood to the wall. So you'd basically have a strip on top and one on the bottom, both with the clips attached. If you use the same idea on the bottom strip and attach the rings to it using a rubber band or hair tie, you'd be "gentler" on your scarf.
I hope that helps a little.. this is not my area of expertise, but I've framed countless textiles and scarves, and this isn't much different :) Oh, one more thing, you will want to hang the piece somewhere that gets very little natural light and no florescent light. The dyes they use are light-fast, but I wouldn't trust that under display conditions. The scarf may fade if you find you're not wearing it as much as your enjoying it on your wall. You could also get a few more scarves, in different patterns or the same, and rotate them like the store does. That'll keep them all looking better longer!
Best of luck in this project!
Sounds like you have a beautiful piece of wearable art!
Sara
