Framing A Sports Jersey

One might think that keeping the jersey they wore in high school in the closet is the best way to maintain it. I would have to say they are sorely mistaken. That football jersey you wore during the championship game, the uniform donned for your first pee-wee league game, or even the jersey you wore when your favorite team won a championship. These items are not just articles of clothing, they embody pieces of personal history and deserve to be treated as such. nnThe best way known to maintain a jersey is to have it framed. Framing a jersey serves two purposes. The first purpose is that framing a jersey maintains it in its current state and protects it from any future damage. Being the owner of many jerseys, some framed and some not, the damage a jersey can sustain by just being hung on a hanger compared to one framed and hung on a wall is amazing. Over time the threads and fabrics in the shoulders will stretch and weaken. Not to mention the damage that can be caused by constantly wearing, washing, and drying of a jersey. The other reason to frame a jersey is so that it can be displayed in all of its glory above the mantle or beside that 52 inch plasma TV we all want adorning our wall. Just imagine that jersey hanging on the wall while watching a championship game on the big screen. Reliving your glory days while at the same time sharing those memories with family and friends. In all honesty how can a jersey stuffed in a drawer somewhere even compare. nnThe assumption that most people make is that framing a jersey is as simple as slapping it in a frame, covering it in glass and tossing it on the wall. That could not be farther from the truth. Framing a jersey properly is a talent best left to professionals. Why would a person have it any other way? Would you really want to risk damaging that one of a kind jersey autographed by a childhood hero? Beyond the possible damage that could be inflicted upon the jersey, a professionally framed jersey is a work of art that any self respecting sports fan can be proud of. nnAlthough if you do go the route of do it yourself framing there are a few things to remember. Determine how much of the jersey you want to display and measure the matting board, foam core backing and frame accordingly. Make sure that you tightly secure the jersey to the matting board either by sewing it or pinning it. Finally I would suggest using Plexiglas instead of glass because glass can shatter and damage your jersey.nnI am not suggesting that all jerseys should be framed. That one that my wife wears while cleaning the house is definitely not on the list of jerseys I would frame. On the other hand there are those that deserve nothing less. Why leave them in the shadows of a dresser or a closet only to fade slowly from memory until no longer do they inspire us or remind us of those moment we are most proud of.nnnnIf you would like more information about framing a jersey feel free to visit www.sportsframer.comnnJoseph Gilln