DIY Network

Frame Display for Military Collectibles, Part 2 Sizing the Contents From "Get Framed" episode DGFR-103

Expert framer Shahnaz LaCaze helps a war veteran create a suitable display for his military badges, medals and keepsakes. In this second phase of the project, she shows how to measure a newly refurbished frame to determine the size of the backboard and spacers that will hold the display contents.

Materials:

tape measure
UV Plexiglas®, cut to size of frame
1/8" thick acid-free foam core (8 pieces cut to size of frame)
craft knife
double-stick tape
glue

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Figure A

Steps:

1. Measure the height and width of the frame to correctly size your plexiglas and backboards (figure A).

• Note: Our UV Plexiglas has been pre-cut to 29x34". Using UV Plexiglas is important because it uses a special film that blocks 98 percent of the UV rays originating from both indoor and outdoor light. UV light may cause discoloration of the contents. You can have UV glass or Plexiglas pre-cut at a frame shop.

• For the backboards, use an craft knife to cut to size. One backboard will be fabric-covered and hold the uniform. The other backboard will be the backing for the frame. For Jay's frame, we need our backboards to be 29x34". We also need the thickness to be 1/4", so adhere two same size backboard foam core sheets to each other with double-stick tape and glue. (We are using 1/8 inch foam core which we adhere together with double-stick tape and glue to make our needed 1/4 inch thickness for the project. To save you this step, you can simply buy 1/4" thick foam core, but it is more expensive.)

• Tip: Be sure to use acid-free foam core. It's a bit more expensive but worth it to preserve your items.

Figure B

2. Find the width of your spacers. Spacers are key to any shadow box framing project because they space the items away from the glass.

• To get accurate measurements for your spacers, place the Plexiglas and backboards into the frame to see how much room they take up in the shadow box. Measure the depth of the remaining space (from contents to back edge of frame). This is the width that your spacers will need to be (figure B).

	Figure C
	Figure D

3. Find the length of your spacers.

• Measure the left side of your frame (from the inside) lengthwise. Cut two pieces of foam core the same size using the length of that measurement and the width of the above measurement from the preceding step (figure C). Allow about 1/16 inch for when they will be covered in fabric. (Be sure to cut an additional two pieces the same size to increase the thickness to 1/4 inch.) You should now have four cut pieces of foam core.

• Make your set of two spacers 1/4 inch thick by adhering two pieces to each other with double-stick tape and glue.

• Insert both spacers into the frame opposite each other at sides of frame (figure D).
  
  

  Figure E

  
  

• Now measure the top of your frame from side to side (on the inside, with spacers inserted). This is the measurement for your last two spacers that will occupy the top and bottom of the frame. Again, allow 1/16 inch for fabric covering.

• Cut the last two pieces (and your two additional pieces for added thickness) from foam core.

• Adhere your pieces together with double-stick tape and glue so that you have another two spacers (for top and bottom of the frame) each 1/4 inch thick (figure E).

• Set aside your four completed spacers for fabric covering.

4. Cut from foam core an adequate strip that will serve as a pedestal for displaying the military medals. Then cut a second piece but make it 1/2 inch smaller on all sides. This second piece will be attached to the back of the pedestal strip holding the medals and make it stand out from the backboard.