How to Reuse a Frame with a Dust Cover

Last week’s art piece prompted this week’s post. I accidentally stumbled into this need to reuse a frame with a dust cover after buying Hearth & Home framed pieces on clearance, only to unpack them and realize they were sealed with a dust cover- TWICE. The frames were too cheap, beautiful, and the perfect sizes to return and I figured I had nothing to lose if I just ripped into them. I have successfully done this twice now (first was for our powdered bath makeover!) which means now you don’t have to pass on the perfect frame.

Disclaimer- this is the “use what you’ve got in your craft closet” method. If you are planning to frame a sentimental or valuable piece, make sure you only use archival-quality supplies. Archival glue, paper, and inks are meant to withstand time and won’t have anything in them that could affect your pieces preservation.

You’ll Need
frame to makeover
screwdriver
goo-be-gone
paper towels
flat razor
glue stick
kraft paper
Exacto knife
high-quality paper (cardstock, watercolor paper, etc.)

1. Flip your frame over and remove any hardware pieces. If your frame is a soft wood or you’re worried about scratches, cover your working surface with a lint-free fabric.

2. Carefully peel off the paper backing. You can get a corner started by using a flat blade to pull up an edge.

3. Set aside all the backing, matting, artwork, glass.

4. Remove all the old adhesive that was keeping the dust cover on. You can use goo-be-gone or a razor. Admittedly, I’m pretty lazy about this part. I just try to get it smooth enough for the new back to lay flat since any mess will be covered up. Just be extra sure any goo-be-gone is, well, gone, for the new glue.

5. Use the frame as a template on the kraft paper to create a new dust cover and use the old mat as a template for a new mat if desired. For the textile piece, I just flipped the original print piece over since I liked the color and it was the perfect size already!

6. Insert the glass, new artwork & matting, and backing. Hold together tightly when you flip it over to check alignment before you seal it all up! Apply glue all the way around, giving the corners extra attention.

7. Starting at the top of the frame, line up the new dust cover and firmly press the edge down. Gently roll the dust cover down, smoothing out both sides as you go. If your steady hands are more reliable than your cutting skills, you can always do the reverse and glue the frame down on an uncut piece of kraft paper and trim down afterward.

8. Reattach any hardware and you’re done!