The Martha Stewart Show

Straw Frame

The Martha Stewart Show

Furniture restorer Christophe Pourny demonstrates how to make a picture frame using the classic technique of straw marquetry.

Straw Marquetry Picture Frame

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Following is a suggestion for one pattern, but it's easy to experiment with different patterns you create yourself. Straw is relatively inexpensive and easy to cut; if you make a mistake, simply remove that piece and just redo the area.

Tools and Materials
Straw
Craft knife
Iron
Wood frame
220-grit sandpaper
Ruler
Pencil
White glue
Small paintbrushes
Cutting mat
Bone folder
Clean rags

Straw Marquetry Picture Frame How-To
1. Slit stalks of straw down the middle using a craft knife or your finger. Flatten the straw strips with a bone folder. Iron each strip of straw on the lowest temperature that allows steam.

2. Lightly sand the surface of the picture frame.

3. Using a ruler as a guide, draw a line diagonally across the corner of the frame, with one point of the line at the corner of the frame's opening, creating a triangle whose two sides are equal. Repeat for all corners.

4. Glue lengths of prepared straw strips onto the face of the frame. Brush glue onto frame first, then lay down straw strips one by one, working from the center outward. Trim strips along the corner lines with a craft knife. As you work, press out air bubbles with a bone folder and wipe off the excess glue with a damp rag.

5. Repeat technique for the corners, working from the inside outward. Trim straw along edges.

6. Cover sides of frame with strips of straw as you did for the front.

Resources
Frames are available from Pearl Fine Art Supplies. Guest Christophe Pourny uses straw from France's BDF-Douineau. In the United States, straw is available from the Straw Shop (email thestrawshop@comcast.net) or A Touch of Kansas (email dianne_gardner@yahoo.com). For more fun ways to display your favorite pictures, check out these photography crafts.

Special Thanks
Special thanks to Christophe Pourny for demonstrating this craft; for more information, visit christophepourny.com. Plus, check out his furniture-care tips.

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The Martha Stewart Show

Straw Frame

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