How to display a keffiyeh/large scarf?
March 19, 2016 10:03 AM Subscribe
I want to turn this sentimental keffiyeh into a piece of decor -- any ideas?
Amongst various other sentimental items, Mr. Motion owns a red and white keffiyeh which is a souvenir of an important time of his life.
I think it's beautiful, and am disappointed that right now it just sits in a lump on top of his dresser.
We aren't "keep things for all eternity" types, nor do we plan to pass this down to anyone, so I've got no interest in wrapping it up in acid-free paper and storing it out of the sunlight, but I think it should be a *little* bit better treated. I'm also a big proponent in using the things that you love, even if that use is just looking at it. If this were some other lovely scarf/shawl thing, I'd just appropriate it and wear it but because [reasons], neither of us will be wearing it. For similar [reasons] I wouldn't necessarily be comfortable just draping it over the back of a couch or chair for use as a throw blanket (though it could totally work for that).
One idea I had was to get a large glass jar/hurricane and artfully stuff it in, but I'm also wondering if there is a good way to hang something like this (preferably minimizing any holes put in the fabric).
Amongst various other sentimental items, Mr. Motion owns a red and white keffiyeh which is a souvenir of an important time of his life.
I think it's beautiful, and am disappointed that right now it just sits in a lump on top of his dresser.
We aren't "keep things for all eternity" types, nor do we plan to pass this down to anyone, so I've got no interest in wrapping it up in acid-free paper and storing it out of the sunlight, but I think it should be a *little* bit better treated. I'm also a big proponent in using the things that you love, even if that use is just looking at it. If this were some other lovely scarf/shawl thing, I'd just appropriate it and wear it but because [reasons], neither of us will be wearing it. For similar [reasons] I wouldn't necessarily be comfortable just draping it over the back of a couch or chair for use as a throw blanket (though it could totally work for that).
One idea I had was to get a large glass jar/hurricane and artfully stuff it in, but I'm also wondering if there is a good way to hang something like this (preferably minimizing any holes put in the fabric).
You might want to get a nice-looking tree branch (dried, with the bark stripped off, and maybe white-washed or varnished?) or a bamboo stick, and hang that on the wall from a rope or chain fastened on both ends, and drape the keffiyeh over it.
posted by Too-Ticky at 10:11 AM on March 19, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by Too-Ticky at 10:11 AM on March 19, 2016 [5 favorites]
I was at the framer recently when someone brought in a vintage silk scarf of similar dimension to a keffiyeh. (My guess is that the keffiyeh about 46"x46".) The framing quote to have it fully flat was astronomical even using the most basic materials (and my framer is really good and inexpensive). If you want it to lay flat in the frame, it's simply dimensions that are driving price. I think the lowest he could get the price down to was maybe 400 bucks, and that was using the absolute cheapest materials he could use for custom framing.
What the framer offered the option of folding it and then using a deeper frame, but he said it's risky for the fabric and even with good UV glass there will likely be fading on the forward facing panel.
Based on that, I think framing is out unless money and wall space aren't constraints. You could hang it over a tapestry rod, but I think your jar idea sounds lovely.
posted by 26.2 at 10:57 AM on March 19, 2016
What the framer offered the option of folding it and then using a deeper frame, but he said it's risky for the fabric and even with good UV glass there will likely be fading on the forward facing panel.
Based on that, I think framing is out unless money and wall space aren't constraints. You could hang it over a tapestry rod, but I think your jar idea sounds lovely.
posted by 26.2 at 10:57 AM on March 19, 2016
I love the jar idea! It's different and would make it a conversation piece as well as highlight your creativity. It also gives you the option of moving it around from one place to another as your decor changes. One more thought - is it washable? If you hang it from a rod or stick (as nice as it would look), it would end up pretty dusty and need the occasional wash.
posted by onecircleaday at 11:21 AM on March 19, 2016
posted by onecircleaday at 11:21 AM on March 19, 2016
You could use a quilt hanger to display it on the wall. Look for the kind that uses a clamp so you won't have to put holes in the fabric.
posted by rakaidan at 11:41 AM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by rakaidan at 11:41 AM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
Historically, using valued fabrics to drape over mantelpieces and the like is quite sound. Maybe the back of the couch is too casual, but anywhere you display knack-knacks or mementos would be perfectly respectful.
posted by praemunire at 5:38 PM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by praemunire at 5:38 PM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
I like to display things in jars and I think that's a great way to do this. You could also put something else in there like a photo or other memento from that time in your husband's life.
posted by Melsky at 7:29 AM on March 20, 2016
posted by Melsky at 7:29 AM on March 20, 2016
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I don't think it would be disrespectful to use it as a runner, if you have any tables or mantelpieces that aren't used for eating but are currently holding knick-knacks or lamps or whatever. Maybe especially if that table holds pictures of family or something else that is similarly sentimental.
posted by babelfish at 10:08 AM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]