Do fabric mats need spacers?

jini

True Grumbler
Joined
May 28, 2005
Posts
55
Loc
Woodstock, Georgia
I have a black suade mat on a x-stitch that I framed several years ago and now I am noticing gunk on the inside of the glass. I know that with other fabric art you do put space between them and the glass. Do fabric mats need to be used with spacers?
 
Do you think the gunk could be mildew? If it is mildew, spacers wouldn't prevent it.

I lived in Athens, GA once and the mildew was so prevalent in the house we rented. Ugh. No wonder my son had asthma.

I don't usually see spacers used with cloth/suede mats at other shops and it's not a practice we do, but I have sometimes wondered the same thing. I use spacers if there's a fillet involved that is higher than the mat.
 
I have used a lot of velvet mats with no problems. However I recently did a diploma using an leather mat for the first time and within days had oily spots forming on the glass,even before the customer picked it up. I went back in and installed spacers, problem solved.
 
Everything needs spacers doesn't it?

The gunk is probably mold growth. Spacers will promote air circulation which helps prevent mold growth.
 
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