# Framing A Needlepoint Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 6, 2011, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/framing-a-needlepoint-question/605209 "2011-12-06T01:11:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2011, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/framing-a-needlepoint-question/605209/1 "2011-12-06T01:11:48Z")
So I’m framing up a needlepoint canvas that the missus made as a gift. Said framed gift will need to be mailed across country, and said missus thinks maybe I ought to cover it with plexi instead of glass so it won’t get hurt if the glass breaks. Sounds right, but it occurred to me that it might not be a good idea. Namely, is there a petro-chemical reason that the plexi-glass may damage the fabric. Fumes, toxic decay, what have you. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2011, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/framing-a-needlepoint-question/605209/2 "2011-12-06T03:20:32Z")
Well, this isn’t really a GQ answer (because I’m not sure this is a GQ question) but I have over 100 needle points done by my grandmother and NONE of them are under glass or plexi glass. They are all just stretched and framed. You can vacuum them to clean them, or wipe them with a damn cloth. Thats my 2 cents. ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2011, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/framing-a-needlepoint-question/605209/3 "2011-12-06T14:45:43Z")
I agree with **alice**. (Although I think she meant to say wipe them with a **damp** cloth.) I’ve never seen needlepoint under glass or plexi before; it’d be like putting an oil painting under glass. If you’re worried about damages during shipping, a same-sized piece of heavy cardboard on both sides of the item should suffice. ---
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/framing-a-needlepoint-question/605209/4 "2011-12-07T00:28:19Z")
I would agree that it’s not necessary ordinarily, but this needlepoint will be hanging in a kitchen. Grease and all that. And it is GQ. I’m asking about possible specific chemical reactions between two different materials. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/framing-a-needlepoint-question/605209/5 "2011-12-07T00:34:34Z")
Plexiglass, Acrylic, and Polycarbonate glazing are all reasonably stable. None of them outgas in significant amounts until they are close to bursting into flame ---
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/framing-a-needlepoint-question/605209/6 "2011-12-07T01:30:33Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Plexiglass, Acrylic, and Polycarbonate glazing are all reasonably stable. None of them outgas in significant amounts until they are close to bursting into flame That’s what I wanted to know. Thank you. It goes back to the question of what “New Car” smell is; namely, toxic, decomposing plastics. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/framing-a-needlepoint-question/605209/7 "2011-12-07T01:49:25Z")
> [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](#): > > That’s what I wanted to know. Thank you. It goes back to the question of what “New Car” smell is; namely, toxic, decomposing plastics. Yeah, but that’s “Vinyl” - and it’s full of all kinds of plasticizers and other additives. There’s very little clear, hard plastic inside a car (maybe the window over the gauges). ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/framing-a-needlepoint-question/605209/8 "2011-12-07T02:34:45Z")
Most of craft materials today are either semi-synthetic or 100% synthetic (usually polyester). The stuff is damned near indestructible. Unless the artwork is designed to hang directly over a stovetop (and is thus vulnerable to actual grease splatter) I would think that most kitchen crud would simply vacuum right off. The needlework will probably last longer than the frame. ~VOW