Question about linen backing

[El Destructo]

I just hope that the weave is the right direction....because the Silk I bought once from eBay...wasn't....and you could litterally pull it apart with your Fingers....good luck!

[Justin Snyder]

Just scrape the Back good with a Hacksaw Blade or Rasp...I prefer a Blade....size it with thinned Glue....I use TB 3.....soak the Fabric in Glue....lay it on....rub it down good to get out the Air Bubbles....once it's in place good...coat it good with glue again....let it dry...cant get any easier!! Then look at the Canvas for your Artistic Talents to be displayed!!

I don't scrape the back, I leave it smooth.  I also don't soak the fabric.  I size the back of the bow with a smooth layer of TB. Then I lay the fabric down keeping it smooth. After that I add one layer of TB to the top of the fabric.  The glue usually soaks up through the fabric when it is applied to the sized bow.

I wouldn't buy the ribbon from ebay for that price. I can go to the fabric store an see what I am getting.  Even if you pay the $20 per yard price it is still cheaper than the ribbon.  Silk fabric is usually 45" wide and cut 36" (1 yard) long.  Cut at 2" wide that will give you 18 strips 2" wide by 45" long. Enough to do 9 bows of any length up to 90". Justin

[stiknstring]

Thanks for that reassurance Justin...It did not sound right to scrape the back with a hacksaw blade for any kind of material backing.  I knew to do that with gap filing epoxies such as Urac or Smooth on. 

[Justin Snyder]

Stiknstring, I'm not going so far as to say the other way is wrong, just different from what I do.  I know there are 2 schools of thought on grooving (toothing) before gluing.  I Subscribe to the one that you weaken the joint by furrowing because it leaves the raised portion of weakened wood filled with the stronger glue.  All the joint has to do is fracture off the splinters (which are all the furrows are) of wood left by furrowing then you have tiny furrows of glue left that if they were together would only be half the width of the bow.  Consequently I never tooth before gluing. Justin

[TRACY]

Just stopped at Jo-Ann Fabrics and they only had one choice of 100% linen in light tan MADE IN THE USA for $9 yd on sale. It was 54" wide, so for about $20 you get get enough to back several bows.

[DanaM]

Thats the stuff and $9 is a good price

[TRACY]

Haven't used linen to back a bow yet and have a good candidate to experiment on. I'm getting ready to head over there and buy a couple yards.

[Aries]

What methods do you guys use while smoothing the edges, I have a cammo material backin on a bow that is similar to canvas. I used tb to glue it down, but i havent added a layer on top as mentioned. I am having trouble making a clean transfer from wood to backing, Is this what is to be expected from cloth backings, or am i missing another aspect?

[El Destructo]

apply a layer of glue on the Top...let it dry ...sand it down ...if it is still a rough edge....another layer of glue....and that should do it.....make sure that you thin the Titebond Glue though....dont put it on thick...