[faithfulfrank]

Gracie,
There are different ways to do this, dependent on what type of tools you may or may not have.

I have heard that you folks have a woodworking shop/club thing......I'm guessing that someone there could help you do it.

Minimum tools you would need is a mitre box and backsaw to cut the 45 degree cuts. You can buy premade frame stock that already has a rabbet cut in it. Once these pieces are cut, they need to be glued and/or nailed together to make the frame. This is easier if you have a frame clamp.

Your 45 degree cuts will be more accurate if you have a motorized mitre saw, commonly called a chopsaw. If you want to make your own rabbet cuts you can do it on a table saw or by using a router. If you can make your own rabbets you can buy much cheaper wood, and make custom frames. I like buying 1x3 poplar from home Depot and make my own. Poplar takes paint and stains nicely, and is very inexpensive. Also helpful is a finishing nail gun to attach the glued joints.

I know this is not a step by step guide.....but it is easier to first know what tools you may have available first.

1) Measure the canvas. Let's say it is 24" x 24". Your four pieces need to be longer then that, so the edge of the frame will extend past the canvas. They also cannot be too long, because you do not want the frame to be bigger then the canvas. If you take the wood, and draw a 45 degree angle on each end of the length, 24" should land somewhere in the middle. Once you have this measurement, you would cut all four pieces the same length.

I've always found it easier to do the same cuts in the wood all at the same time on the table saw, so everything lines up. On the face of the frame, you can make angled edges, little kerf cuts, etc, to really make a nice custom frame. then after that, I cut the rabbet cut on the back to accept the canvas. Only after I do these things do I cut the mitre cuts. When determining your rabbet cuts, keep in mind the depth of the canvas so it does not show, and how much canvas you want to be covered by the frame. Other considerations would be the matting, backerboard and the use of glass.

After making all of these cuts, do a dry fit, making sure the canvas fits with a small amount of play. Once you are pleased with it, you can go ahead and glue up the mitre joints. Dependent on how many mitre clamps you have, you can clamp them up. I usually do two pieces at a time, then once they are done, put the two pieces together and the frame is done. If you nail after clamping, you can do all of them in a short amount of time without waiting for the glue to dry. Use carpenters wood glue for these joints. Wipe off any excess, especially if you plan on staining after.

After the glue is dry, etc, lightly sand. If the joints are not really tight and you plan on painting, feel free to fill the tiny gaps with wood filler, resand, then prime and paint. Set the canvas in the frame, secure it with tiny brads, etc, and then attach eyescrews and picture frame wire. You can also use a router and put keyhole slots in the frame if you wish.

I hope this helped. Others may fill in the blanks and do a better job then I did explaining. Good luck, and enjoy!!

Frank