schoolteacher

I am making quilts for my grandsons. As they are to be wedding gifts someday, I was wondering how you all store/preserve quilts that are to be given years later. Should I be buying the expensive acid free boxes that I have researched? What do you experienced quilters use?

ckcowl

it is important to get the quilts out no matter how they are stored and fluff them then refold, with different fold lines every few months. acid free storage is certainly recommended. keep away from sun light; do not store in plastic because any humidity can cause molding. i do know people who do use those vacuum-space bags...but they take them out on a regular basis to fluff and refold- check for any (issues) like yellowing folds or any sign of moisture getting in.acid free tissue paper can be rolled up or scrunched up and placed inside, along the folds to help keep from getting creases. i actually put mine into cotton pillow cases then into acid-free storage containers.
NEVER STORE A QUILT IN A LARGE GARBAGE BAG!!! you would never believe how many wonderful- heirloom and antique quilts have gone to land-fills because someone put it into a garbage bag then someone else...throws it out! horrible situation!!! what ever you put them in LABEL THEM WELL...MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT IT IS.

schoolteacher

Thanks for replying! Guess I'm on the right track! :)

eparys

Excellent advice.

On that same note: a friend of mine is a quilt judge. She stresses that you should fold the quilt in thirds - never in half. You generally never measure the thirds so the folds will always fall in a different place every time you fold it (if you fold in in half, you tend to put the corners tog and find the middle - resulting in the fold repeatedly being in the same place.)

MTS

Folding it on the bias is one option, and takes up the least amount of room:
http://appliqueandpatches.blogspot.c...t-folding.html

Also, as I wrote elsewhere yesterday, my friend uses this method for her antique and heirloom quilts:

PVC pipe inside the pipe insulation (flimsy like pool noodles) wrapped in muslin. The quilt is rolled around this. And is placed in an holder (like a sleeping bag) made out of Tyvek. It can easily be stored on the shelves in the closet without getting creases.
I also saw a way to hang these quilt mummies but you need a lot more dedicated room.

Hosta

also keep the quilt away from wood I was taught in restoration class that wood will deteriorate the fabric if you hang the quilt on a wooden shelf with a wooden dowel rod always put aluminum foil around the wooden dowel to protect the quilt from touching wood and don't store in a cedar chest the cedar also damages the fabric

Sadiemae

I use pillowcases.

Parrothead

I have to disagree with this. Are not quilt racks wood? And those beautiful glass front cabinets?
I have lots of quilts that were/are in cedar chests for over 70 years and no damage. The cedar chest is an antique also.