Flip the frame backing over and spray the top and bottom edge with adhesive. Fold the excess fabric over and use your hands to press it in place.

Spray the remaining side edges with adhesive, fold the fabric, and press it in place. Trim off the excess fabric at each corner.

Now, we will show you how to cut a mat using mat board. We found our mat board at Michaels. Cut a piece of mat board to fit your frame. Our frame is 11 inches by 14 inches so we cut a piece of mat board 11 inches by 14 inches. Using a pencil, mark the center of the shape by measuring and dividing by two. Then, draw faint lines to connect the marks.

Align the template with the center point on the mat. Measure and mark out equal distances around the outer edges of the design (we marked out 1/2 inch). Then, for each mark, measure the distance from the mark to the outer edges of the mat. Using those measurements, move over a few inches from each of your original marks and make a new mark. Draw a line to connect the two marks. Do this on each side of the mat. 

Be sure to label the top of the mat on the back side so you can easily replace the mat in the frame later on.
 

Lay the mat on top of the cutting pad. Place a straight edge along the outer edge of each line. Hold the straight edge down with one hand, and hold a craft knife with the other hand. Hold the knife at a 45 degree angle against the straight edge (the knife should lean towards the straight edge) and cut along each line, starting and stopping at each corner. Be sure to use a sharp knife (preferably with a new blade) for easier cutting and safety.
 

Once the mat has been cut, erase all of the marks.

Now it is time to assemble the frame! Lay the frame flat, face down with the glass in place. If you cut your own mat, add the mat, face down, paying close attention to placing the top of the mat at the top of the frame.

Insert the backing inside the frame, with the embroidery facing down. The top edge of the embroidery should be aligned with the top edge of the frame. 

Press the frame in place and bend the closures back to their original positions. If you can't get the closures to bend back, that is ok - we will show you how to finish the back and hold everything in place.

To finish the frame, cut a piece of tag board or poster board about one inch smaller than the frame backing (we cut our tag board 10 inches by 13 inches). Spray the board with permanent adhesive and smooth it on top of the frame backing.

If your closures did not bend back properly, cut a piece of board a bit larger than the frame backing, spray it with adhesive, and smooth it on the back of the frame. This finishes the back and holds everything in place.
 

Your framed embroidery is complete! Hang your work with pride or give your framed piece as a special gift.