Glass, or no glass? That is the question.

One of the most common questions a framer gets from stitchers is whether or not to put glass on a project. And I'll be quite frank with you by saying there is no right answer, just right ways of doing or doing without glass.

Think about why you might want glass: to protect your piece from dust, smoke, children, kitchen or bathroom "spray," and other pollutants.

Think about why you would not want glass: takes away from the detail of the piece, expense, weight.

If you decide to put glass on your piece, make sure the glass does not directly touch your fabric and stitching. If you are using mats, your piece should be fine. If you are going matless, ask your framer to use a spacer. Plastic and other types of spacers are usually about the same price as a mat, except that your piece will be smaller, so overall you save money.

If you don't use a spacer, your piece will slowly, but surely, deteriorate -- I framed a 300-year-old sampler that had been directly under glass for at least 50 years. It was full of holes -- very sad. This has to do with humidity and stress on the fabric and fibers. If you do not use glass, keep your pieces in places where they are least likely to be harmed -- away from sinks, showers, windows, doors, children and pets, smokers and stoves. Some stitchers vacuum their pieces, others take their pieces apart occassionally, clean them and re-stretch.

Personally, I put glass on about 1/3 of my pieces, just because I think it takes away from the detail. Non-glare glass doesn't work well because it really cuts down on how well you can see the piece. Museum glass is good for your piece in terms of how it filters harmful rays, but is quite expensive. I use regular glass when I use glass.

Never spray windex directly on a picture, hanging or otherwise. Sometimes liquid from the spray can run down the cracks and onto a mat or piece. Spray a paper towel or cloth instead, and wipe the glass clean. Believe it or not, glass gets dirty on both sides. Every once in a while I take apart my pieces and clean both sides of e glass. Be careful, because the edges of glass are quite sharp. If you're nervous, have your framer help you, or handle glass for you.

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© 2007 Theresa Venette. Articles on this site may be reproduced in needlework group newsletters or other handouts with permission of author and proper attribution. Send questions, comments and suggestions to: xspeddler@yahoo.com