How To Properly Store Old Quilts
Covering your quilt with archival tissue paper before you fold it for storage is highly recommended. May 27 2020 Jenny is teaming up with our quilt librarian Aislinn to share some of the best tips weve learned about how to organize and store quilts.
Periodically refold the quilt in a different way to avoid permanent creases.
How to properly store old quilts. When To Put Them Away We all know in the hustle and bustle of daily living sometimes its hard to carve out time to put away laundry at all let alone right when the dryer goes off. Bring your quilts out every 6 months checking for damage and refolding. Store textiles in a cool dry location.
Avoid using trunks or boxes in hot attics or in damp basements or garages. Its a lot easier on the fragile quilt and its also easier than trying to take the quilt apart and re-sew the entire thing. Learn how to fold.
If youre using a cedar chest or dresser drawer line it with a clean cotton sheet as a buffer between the quilt and the acidic wood. Aug 28 2015 Use Tissue Paper. Wrap your quilts in clean cotton sheets or store in acid free boxes.
Damp conditions can encourage the growth of mold as well as attract insects. Instead of trying to take the quilt apart simply sew over the existing material when youre trying to patch holes or wear. Materials should be stored flat and interleaved or padded with acid-free tissue.
Dont store antique quilts in a plastic tub. Be sure to fold them with the backside facing out using as few folds as possible. If storing numerous folded quilts on a shelf do not stack too many on top of each other as the weight may cause permanent creases.
If you want to store it in a wooden drawer first paint the inside with polyurethane varnish and after its dried line the drawer with acid-free paper cotton sheets or muslin. Dec 04 2012 Wrap around acid-free cardboard tubes and then store in closet. Store folded quilts in a closet padding the quilt folds with acid-free paper.
Storage boxes are designed with enough room to properly store your textile artifact. Wash them only when visually soiled. Store it in an acid-free box.
Thats why its important to take the time to learn how to properly store sheets and bedding. May 07 2020 Storing. Theres an instructional video on my website.
When used this way this tissue paper ends up BETWEEN the folds of your quilt and adds extra protection by helping to support the material and reduce the likelihood of it becoming indelibly creased. Provide a stable protective environment for your fabrics quilts old linens costumes. You can store your quilt in an acid-free box wrap it in a piece of washed unbleached muslin or fold it in a pillowcase.
Roll your quilt in acid-free paper and store it in an acid-free box or tube to prevent undue deterioration. An old pillowcase or well-worn sheets are excellent for protecting your quilts. Storing your quilts Now that you have taken the time to carefully clean your vintage quilts you want to be sure to store them properly.
They do not need to be washed when only displayed carefully andor stored. Consider Tear Mender adhesives. Never keep it in a cardboard box or plastic bag.
When stored quilts should be refolded occasionally in different ways to prevent the fabric from breaking along the fold lines. An environment comfortable for people is suitable for textiles. Keep the box in a cool dry spot and be sure the quilt itself is absolutely dry so mold and mildew dont cause permanent stains.
