Permeable backing and tufted articles comprising said backing

A method of forming a tufted article, the method comprising:

• weaving a plurality of fibers together to form a woven backing structure having a first surface and an opposed second surface, the woven backing structure defining void spaces between respective woven fibers of the plurality of woven fibers of the woven backing structure, and wherein the void spaces are configured to permit passage of liquid or vapor from the first surface to the second surface of the woven backing structure;
• and
• tufting a second plurality of fibers through the woven backing structure so that the plurality of fibers extend upwardly from the first surface of the woven backing structure,
• wherein following weaving of the plurality of fibers together, the method does not include forming openings through the woven backing structure.

A tufted article comprising:

• a backing having a vertical axis, the backing comprising:
• an open structure material having a first surface and an opposed second surface, wherein the open structure material comprises a plurality of fibers, wherein the plurality of fibers define void spaces through the open structure material from the first surface to the second surface in part based on variability of fibers along the vertical axis, wherein the void spaces are configured to permit passage of liquid or vapor from the first surface to the second surface of the open structure material;
• a scrim layer coupled to the opposed second surface of the open structure material, wherein the scrim layer has an open mesh structure;
• and
• a second plurality of fibers tufted through the backing and extending upwardly from the first surface of the open structure material.