Use a measuring tape to determine the height and width of the silk with which you are working.
Cut a 2-inch by 4-inch pine board into sections that match the height and width of the silk. If the height of the silk is 16 inches and the width is 24 inches, cut two 16-inch lengths and two 24-inch lengths from the pine board using a table saw or hand saw.
Arrange the wood pieces in a square or rectangle. The shape of the frame needs to match the shape of the silk.
Drive two 2 1/2-inch drywall nails into each corner of the frame with a hammer. Pound the nails from the outside in, toward the adjoining piece of wood.
Sand the frame to eliminate any rough spots on which the silk might catch.
Set the frame on a flat surface like a table or counter.
Center the silk on the top of the frame.
Insert one silk painting pin into the top left corner and top right corner of the silk. Do not press the pins into the wood at this time.
Grasp the top left corner with your left hand so your thumb rests on the back of the pin. Grasp the top right corner with your right hand in the same manner.
Stretch the silk so the edge is taut. Align the top of the silk with the top edge of the frame.
Push the pins into the corners of the wood with your thumbs.
Repeat Steps 8 through 11 to attach the bottom of the silk to the frame.
Grasp the middle top portion of the silk with one of your hands and pull it taut. Insert a pin in the middle of the top of the frame. Do the same thing on the bottom of the frame.
Grasp the middle left portion of the silk with your left hand and pull it taut. Insert a pin in the middle of the left side of the frame. Repeat this step on the right side of the frame.
Insert a pin between each of the pins in the frame.