I’m happy to be visiting my mom in California for several weeks. Fall is a beautiful time of year in Sonoma County. The liquid ambers lining the street are firey shades of orange and red. The weather just turned cooler in the last week.

Returning, it’s always fun to rediscover parts of my collection and spend some time checking my pieces and giving them a good airing out. Let’s talk storage! What are the safest ways to store embroideries and textiles?

Hungarian Transylvanian blouses and a rolled linen embroidery. Make sure that shirt cuffs are unfolded for storage!

1. Do not fold textiles if you can help it. Lay them flat or roll pieces and tie them with a strip of unbleached cotton muslin.

2. Roll pieces around acid-free cardboard tubes with a layer of muslin.

3. If you must fold a tablecloth or large piece, pad the corners with cotton muslin. Folding weakens the cloth and eventually, the folded fibers may break.

4. Textiles should be stored as clean as possible because dust particles can actually cut fibers through friction and abrasion.

5. Fabrics need air. Condensation can develop in airtight containers which can damage fabric and dyes. Store, wrapped in muslin or old sheets, in un-sealed plastic bags or between sheets of plastic or layers of muslin. You may use tissue paper in between pieces as long as it is acid-free. In the US, I go to photography or archival suppliers for acid-free paper or boxes. Make sure that textiles are not touching wooden surfaces or plastic.

6. Store textiles in a clean, dry, place, away from the sun and artificial light.

7. Store clothing flat. Fold along seam lines if necessary, folding sleeves across the bodice, and pad any gathered areas to keep fabric smooth.
   

   
   Source: Smithsonian Division of Textiles