How to Make Your Antique Clothes Last for Another Century(ish) | Home Clothing Conservation
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- Опубліковано 21 жов 2024
- Sometimes, we get lucky and find a "buried treasure" (at least that's how I like to think of cool antique clothing because I'll never actually be a pirate) hidden away in someone's trunk at an estate sale, or mislabeled at a flea market or antique mall. It's those moments that make you feel all-powerful and giddy, while you go to buy the garment manically giggling to yourself about how you are quite literally another Indiana Jones (or maybe that's just me...🤔)
But...what do you do when you get home with your new Victorian bodice? Do you hang your 1920s flapper dress in your closet? Do you keep that Edwardian dress in a plastic storage container? Shove the Regency spencer in a pillowcase? Fold up that vintage clothing haul and put it in your suitcase? How do you make sure that you can keep enjoying your new-to-you antique and vintage clothes for years to come?
While I'm not an expert in antique clothing conservation, I have learned some basic curatorial practices over the years, on how to store, handle and protect historic clothing as best as you can, given a variety of circumstances. Storing antique clothing at home will never surpass quality museum care, but there are things that you can easily do at home to help protect great-grandmother's wedding dress and keep it for years to come.
Curatorial practices change over time, with new developments and new standards being implemented in institutions and museums. So, I just really want to stress, down here in the description, where no one will probably ever read it (comment with Jazzy if you actually read this! 😂) that I am not an expert in conservation, and that my practices might not be what you were taught in University or what you do at your museum - and that's fine. I wanted to do a video that was accessible to the average person at home since most people don't know anything about how to store antique textiles. I figure something is better than nothing. Right? 😊
With clean hands (or nitrile gloves if you have any on hand), some archival boxes from The Container Store, and a whole lot of acid-free tissue paper, you can safely pack and store all of your 1880s bustle skirts, Edwardian shirtwaists, and Victorian bodices. Additionally, keeping your own historical costumes in archival boxes is a great way to make sure that they are protected between wearing, and to keep them protected for the future.
The archival boxes and tissue paper I use are from The Container Store and you can buy them here: www.containers...
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Museum professional here! I liked your technique a lot. And, don't worry, museums have to deal with leaks too.
You can find archival storage boxes at more places than just The Container Store. Gaylord is a good option and they have a TON of options. Desiccant packets are also a good solution for people in humid climates. It is also a good idea to wear nitrile glove when handling historic garments. Even with washing, your hands have enough oils and acids to possibly damage the objects.
The packets are a great suggestion! I didn't even think about those (cause I don't have to, thankfully!) I was thinking about nitrile gloves when I was editing this, and how I probably should have mentioned those. So, I mentioned them in the comments section, even though with *waves around* this current climate there's also a big "save the gloves for going out in public" feeling...so yeah...it left me feeling a bit awkward on how to address the gloves...so I'm glad you brought it up - thank you! 😊
Hey ms. Howard, I'm curious about the gloves. Is it a divisive topic? Because I feel like I've heard some people say 'yes use gloves to protect the garments from oils and acid', but other people say 'no don't use gloves, the little bit of acid is an acceptable risk to take, since with gloves you have lessened sensitivity in your hands and you might accidentally be less gentle with the garments and damage them'.
@@PoisonTheOgres Hi I'm I know I'm no not Ms. Howard and realize I may be overstepping since you had asked her, but I've worked in museums and handled historical garments and other items. I had to take classes on conservation as part of my work so I thought I might be able to help with your question. In short, it really depends on the item being handled. Ideally with clothing you want to keep as safe as possible and when we did work with them (as well as other textiles) we used clean white cotton gloves. This was because the cotton was delicate on the materials as well as being white you could see if you had anything on them (dirt, thread, etc.) However, they have started to use nitrile gloves as they are seen as a better option due to cotton stretching, snag risk, etc. Although doing delicate work is nearly impossible with any type of gloves so there are some instances when bare hands are needed. Things like paper they use cotton gloves, although many times I have seen clean hands used, I think it depends on the type and age as gloves make it difficult to turn pages etc and you risk damaging the item(but this is not an area where I'm well versed). One thing they were less concerned with handling bare handed were things like jet beading or buttons, sealed wood and bone items. Any china was handled with clean hands due to the risk of dropping with gloves on, etc. This again though depends on the item. I'm not sure how helpful I've been, but if you ever get a chance to work in archives I'd highly recommend it! You can see about becoming a volunteer at a museum or historic property and go from there if it interests you. Have a great day!
@@alyshal9853 Wow thank you so much for your detailed answer! Super interesting and definitely helpful!
Hi Chae, do you have any suggestions for how to best display a vintage textile item? I have a hat that belonged to Mae West, from her 1949 Broadway production of Diamond Lil. I want to have a plexiglas display box made for it to hang in my home. I'll be hanging it in a location that doesn't get direct sunlight, but other than that, and seeing if the plexi can be UV blocking, i'm not sure what I should be doing to protect it.
I just wanted to say thank you for this video- my grandmother has an old dress of her mother's (from the 20's) that she absolutely treasures, but it's been hanging up for years and has started to shred under the arms. With this video I knew what to do to help preserve it, and while I dont have a garment box yet, I placed it in a tissue-lined dresser drawer for now and protect it from further harm in the meanwhile. Seriously, thank you so much, it means so much that I was able to find an answer on how to protect such a beloved garment
This was really useful, I should probably do this for my wedding dress and my grandmother’s silk brocade cocktail dresses she made in the 50’s
The tissue paper was ASMR for my kitty
Your rings are on the shelf. Just in case you forgot.
That’s a big box. I guess it needs to be, but big.
You’ll remember the special awareness soon.
Cradle carry careful lift. Got it.
Prevent creasing.
As smooth and flat as possible.
I’ve got baby clothes from 1924 I want to last. They were my Granny’s and have been passed down. Thank you for this lesson.
I am an *objects* conservator (textile conservator is a different specialization; objects can have textiles but textiles are not 'objects' in this definition...it's a thing, don't worry about...anyway...) and I appreciate your mention of conservation methods in your videos. Watching you box these garments was very satisfying to my little nerd heart.
Just a quick note on buffered vs. unbuffered archival material: unbuffered is good for pretty much everything, buffered should ONLY be used for materials that need acid reduction. Materials that are naturally acidic such as photographs, some plastics, and some animal products (wool, silk, hair, fur, etc. that have proteins that give them structure) will have the acid leached out of them when in contact with buffered materials and that can cause problems down the line. There is more info out there on websites like Talas, Gaylord, and PEL. When in doubt: don't buffer, but always be acid-free. :-)
Another museum professional here. Chiming in a little late :) just wanted to add that if you are storing something that would be nearly impossible to store without folding (say a quilt) it is preferable to roll it around a large tube (also archival) with tissue or Mylar separating the layers rather then folding it in anyway. Then hang the tube via a rod through the middle so the bottom doesn’t get smooshed and you’re good to go. Really you just desperately want to avoid any and all folding of any textiles. It creates stress point that are the kiss of death for any long term viability.
I had a nightmare last. At 4:30 AM I heard drip drip. I woke up terrified your dress was ruined. It was raining so it wasn't all in my head.🤣
OMG - Please don't have anxiety or stress dreams based off of my stories 😂 (but is it weird I feel touched that your inner conscious cared so much about the gown?) 🥰
This made my museum professional heart so happy. You can buy archival board from Gaylord and other places like Blick and make your own boxes. Im so glad you pointed out taking off jewelry. I once destroyed some insect specimens by forgetting to take off my lanyard and I spent two hours glueing then back together haha.
So glad I could refer back to this video now that I have a circa 1905 blouse that I want to preserve. Pretty jazzy!!
Abby, A thousand Thank Yous for this video!!
I have ordered a box and extra tissue for myself now to finally properly box up my wedding dress - actually a custom corset and skirt. For the last 3 years it has been in a cotton envelope - stitched to hold it flat - in a drawer.
In 1961 my mother sewed her own wedding dress. In 2016-17 she and I carefully disassembled it and used the fabric to make my wedding skirt. (Mom was 19 and tiny at her wedding. I was 50 and not nearly as tiny at mine. Also, fashions change. Thank goodness Mom said, 'It was just fabric when I made mine. It's still just fabric. What do you want it to look like?').
Because it was 2 pieces I have worn them again for dressy occasions. The corset has 2 other skirts I like it with. Not surprisingly, without the veil a knee length ivory satin skirt doesn't really scream bridal. So it works.
I have the pieces professionally cleaned when needed, but have resisted having them sealed into the 'bridal box' offered because I do enjoy being able to wear them. I feel like the archival box - with an abundance of fresh tissue paper after wear and cleaning - is going to give me the best option to keep enjoying them and protect them.
UA-cam unboxing videos are old hat. UA-cam boxing videos are my new jam.
I used the same technique as you did when I was working at a museum. Sometimes I had to make my own boxes, do to the item was too big or long to fit into the normal ones.
It was a lot of fun and I learned many different techniques in how boxes can take shape, depending on what item it should contain. I liked your video a lot and your technique. I hope to se more of this kind of videos in the
future. :D
The horror music legit got me all nervous. A+ storytelling, 10/10, will watch again.
“Wrap it like a chipotle burrito” I died! I love your videos Abby, your editing and comments are so funny and they make me laugh. Another great video, always good to learn something new.
Thank you! 🥰🥰🥰
I do this with wigs and a top tip is to use small scrapbooking photo sleeves (they're archival) and print a photo of the item alongside the basic info and stick that to the box with archival glue. You can even print out additional information and slip it behind the photo. If you need to you can use 12x12 scrapbooking sleeves the same way to copy or even archive provenance papers.
I love how down to earth your videos are. It's very fun and relaxing and professional enough that it feels like I'm on a guided tour through a museum with the fun guide.
The moment you snap your finger as Thanos… It switched to a commercial! Kind of hilarious!
Very EDUCATIONALLY informative video. None of the other sewing or costuming videos that I have seen EVER discuss storage techniques. So hats off to you for this one!!
Your whole video brings up a very good point. Given the fact that our ancestors DIDN'T have such things to safely 'keep' their garments pristine how did they maintain their clothes on an everyday (storage) basis? No one had such storage items at that time. I've never heard any information on this. Could you one day make a video discussing what you found if anything on how or perhaps (not so well) clothes were stored betw wearings. Thank you for your consideration.
Just what we need while stuck inside trying not to kill our family members. Thanks Abby I love your sense of humor
Silly comment but "when Thanos snapped his fingies" just made my day 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I think this plays different for everybody… But she said Thanos snapped his Fingers… And it immediately switched to an ad which startled me… I know it wasn’t planned but… Damn I kind of wish it had been
Thank you so much! I have a dress that was made by my great grandma and her mother circa 1920. They spun the thread, dyed it, wove the fabric and made the dress! It's a wonderful piece of history.
Now I know how to keep it safe!
Great video! Love the humor! Don't forget: your rings are on a dish on a shelf behind you.
Thankfully, I remembered them after this. 😂
FYI if you need to stock up on those boxes, I just went on the Container Store site and they are on sale for $36!!
This is fantastic! We have some dresses from the 19th century, at least one of which my ancestor made herself. They have been hanging in closets for over 100 years. We also have a parasol with an ivory handle and what I think are probably dissolving ostrich feathers.
Thanks so much Abby! I bought a "vintage dress" at an antique shop 20 years ago or something, and it's been folded in a cedar chest ever since...ordering an archival box for it right now :). Also want to thank you for your dress examination videos - I took it out to look at it today and I feel like I noticed so much more about it than I did when I first noticed it in the shop!
You're making me realize that I need to use more tissue paper with my storage. And probably need to get a fourth box so that everything will fit when I add more tissue paper!
You basically can't use too much tissue paper.
never enough! 😂
Silverfish are honestly the bane of my existence.
I have _never_ lived in a house that did not have them. Thanks temperate maritime climate /s
They actually show that they is mold or moisture somewhere. I lived in a very old house once and never got rid of them. So when I complained about that to a friend who works in historical construction work, he told me this + that they are useful creatures on top.
NivionScribble
How are they useful? The library where I work had signs of a beginning silverfish infestation in our storage room, and we had to take action immediately. Fortunately they don’t like light, so one of the things we could do was to always leave the light in there on.
@@ragnkja apparently they show, that there is mold in the building. Like moss on a windows shows that there is moisture. Silverfish do destroy things, but they do not target specific items like moths do for example. If silverfish appear, they are not the cause of the problem, they are a byproduct of a problem inside the walls.
NivionScribble
They may not outright target specific kinds of things, but if they are in a room with mostly books, that is what they will go for.
@@ragnkja that is true. But the silverfish will go if you remove the mold, since this is what they are breeding in and living off. I'm going to ask my friend for more information. Silverfish are a pest and certainly no one wants them in the library or any room with valuables, but they are just a byproduct of a larger problem which needs to be fixed.
What an I credibly informative video! I have a silk nightgown which was my grandmother's from 1943. It's balled up in a plastic bag. I know. Not good.
I think I need to get it into a box.
4 min in and I have learned more than I did in this whole year of “museum studies” where I was supposed to learn curatorial and conservation skills.. thank you 😊
These sort of videos are my jam like teach me everything you know!! That surprise bodice is still the most beautiful thing
I don't yet have any antique clothes but this is good information!
I just found your channel and I'm so impressed. I'm a uni student in conservation and restoration and when you started talking about acid free containers I was sold. Everything you did is pretty much how I've been learning. Although I wouldn't say it's exactly a good idea to store 3 pieces of clothing in the same box, but obviously it's hard with little space so... Also it could be nice to wear nitrile gloves and something to protect the historical clothes from your clothes that can have buttons and such that can get hooked on the fabric of historical clothing (idk if I'm even making any sense). But over all very nice video, very informative too! 😊
@Rita Esp
Wearing something like a smock to prevent damage from what you're wearing?
@@amysbees6686 yes, preferably one that has buttons on the back or at least on the side (instead of in the front like the ones doctors use)
She added a bit more info on gloves in her description :)
Jazzy! I did a mini workshop on identifying vintage and historical clothing and conserving them for my work study in college some years back and this brings back memories. I really liked this video! You’ve inspired me to save up for an archival box of my very own now!
You read it! LOL & thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!❤
Ahhh I really enjoyed this! Would love more "reboxing" vids, tbh!!! :D
Do you recommend any type of cleaning of the garment (according to what it is and the condition) to remove oil, dirt, etc. before storage? I’ve heard recommendations to vacuum antique pieces that can’t be submerged in water, is that really a thing? (Carefully, with a little hand attachment, not to string it out in the floor and run over it 😆)
With vintage clothes it’s a downright dreadful unforgivable sin to not clean them ASAP. Lately I’ve been using baking soda or white vinegar to neutralize acid (hopefully lol. 🤷🏻♀️ IDK how well this really works in preserving it vs. a very small amount of detergent and really really good rinsing). Though I rarely deal with pieces older than 1920s, or pieces that are shattering. (Anyone with experience can chime in 😊).
And if you do any videos that address washing I would be suuuuuuper interested. Thx!
I'd never considered the storage of such items, this was super interesting, thanks!
Omg thank you! My boyfriends grandmothers house has vintage clothes in every knook and cranny and him and his mom want to preserve what they can (for sentimental and historic reasons). Now we know how to do that. Thank you!
Your rings are on the shelf queen!!!
Singing in the rain, Oh what a feeling, I'm happy again. Just singing and dancing in the rain.
Just found your channel through the CoCoVid thing.
I had to do something similar with a bunch of fashion dolls my grandmother made. She used glue which has diacoloured and fabrics that have shattered not to mention the figures themselves. Every single one (20 + in total ) had to be wrapped individually!!! Took us 6 hours
For a moment I thought you had a big pair of sewing shears and a large spool of thread tattooed on your chest. And I mean, no shade if you want to do that. It just surprise me is all.
SO interesting! Thank you for sharing. This may be a silly question but once the garment is under your bed, what do you do with it? Like what does a collector do with the pieces they can't wear or see inside their box?
Jazzy video! Yes, I am one of those weird people who reads everything including the fine print on things. Loved this video. I recently accquired a couple victorian pieces, a 1920's flapper dress, and edwardian underthings and have been trying to figure out how to store them. This was exactly the information I needed, to try and keep these items from deteriorating more than they already are.
LOL! You read it! 😂🤣😂 Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video & that you found it helpful!
Abby, your rings are on the shelf....but by now, hopefully you have found them.
Great info for anything that needs to be preserved! Thanks
I know this video is a year old but I'm seeing it for the first time today. I was just curious, when you purchase and keep these clothing items, do you ever wear them? Or are they just something you collect and keep in boxes? Either way they're beautiful 😍😍😍
The Container Store is one of my happy places!
Very informative for us non archivists and helpful to know.
Green silk (or green wool for that matter) is never dyed with arsenic, because if you tried, it’d turn blotchy and/or black.
You did it exactly like we do at the museum I work at! We use Gaylord Archival boxes, though
Now I know what to store my kids clothes I make for them to keep them in good condition for there children.I just found your channel enjoying it
This was so nice to watch. I was going to go into museum studies before health issues got in the way so watching videos like this are a lot of fun!
This was a great video for me! Last year I was given a dress that's 1920s and it's in very rough condition. She's moth eaten and the silk is shattered in many many places. When I got her, she'd been in a wardrobe bunched up in a ball so that certainly hadn't helped with the shattering. Now I know what I need to do so that she can hopefully see at least a few more decades.
That was fun.
This is a fantastic tutorial with answers to questions I have had for a while...thanks!
Thank you for making this video. I just bought a few antique items in an auction and I was worried about how to store them. Much much appreciated!
These are wondrous boxes indeed and quite useful information. A great combo but made even better by you sound test serenade!
LOL Thank you! I'm glad to know someone enjoyed my singing 😂😂
Super helpful! I have my great grandma’s wedding dress and I want to preserve it correctly.
Do you have any ideas for how to conserve tricky things such as my grandad’s childhood oiled leather chaps. I’m thinking it may be slightly different. Thanks for the great content!
I made a full length cotton muslin petticoat in 1973. I've taken some of the length away at the waistline because there's a bit more me, now. I still wear it. For years it was almost daily wear and lots of washing. I don't wear it as often these days--the flounce is necessary for a few of my skirts.
I'm wondering if the occasional wearing and washing (or just the washing?) help keep a woven cotton garment intact better than if it was stuffed in a plain bag or box.
Thank you, this was so helpful! I've acquired a few Victorian pieces and have been terrified about storing them correctly. I'm ordering my archival boxes now :)
AHHHHH! Thank you Abby!! My antique babes are going to be much happier now
Thank you! I have some, not as old, but very neat pieces passed down from my grandparents that I want to keep well stored.
One question: was there enough tissue paper that came in the one box kit or did you need/use extra to do this boxing?
At my university, someone recently donated original 1920s dresses to our theatrical costume shop that are extremely delicate silk chiffon because we don't have archival boxes and are really short on storage space we have them tucked away gently rolled in muslin, not the best solution and definitely not a museum practice but it was the best middle road because hanging them was definitely not an option
Starting to invest in these!
Ahhh! I have the EXACT same water leaking onto the archival box story 😭😭😭😭
NOOOOOOOOOOOO - we live in the desert! We shouldn't have to deal with this nonsense!
Jazzy! This is SOOOO helpful! The comments are, too--thanks, Chae Howard!
Awesomeness👍❤️
If those bags were big enough, would you think a vaccum bag would be good to put the BOX, not the dress, in it? Not enough to squish the box, but to remove as much air as possible?
Im loving all of your videos 😊😊 😊😊 xxxx
I wonder if boxes like these are similar to those that library preservationists/conservationists use-I suspect they are. I had a college job custom fitting boxes to books after they were digitized and before they were stored long term, and one of the conservationists told me a horror story of broken pipes-apparently all the boxes around individual books in the area were destroyed BUT the books were fine because of how well the materials manage moisture.
I loved this video! Thanks for sharing this info! After you’ve shared the unboxing video, this is exactly what I was thinking about - how will you store these babies?
Thank you! 🥰🥰🥰
This is just what I need, thanks Abby! One big question: If you inherit a piece that has been badly stored, would you ever (and how would you?) WASH a vintage garment to get the *&%$ out before storing it? I have inherited some pieces from the 1940s in rather tragic circumstances, including a silk wedding gown that was rescued *wet*. So far, I've just dried it out, but I'm wondering if it ought to be carefully washed before storing, since it probably had soap and/or urine and/or other unguessable crud on. Help!?
Lots of us wash our vintage, not only after acquiring it but also after wearing. Whether the pieces can be washed or not depends on the condition they're in and the material. If you're on FB, you can ask for advice in this group: "Vintage Clothing Fixes, Restorations, Alterations Etc. 1900-1970's"
What do you think about wrapping the garments in acid free tissue paper and storing them in cedar chests for those who live in climates with a high risk of moths and silverfish? My cedar chest is my go-to storage for old and silk/cashmere clothes simply because it keeps all the pests out. Nobody wants munch holes. Or if they do go the archival box route, is it ok to put sachets of cedar inside the box with the garments?
I would store them inside archival boxes with acid-free tissue paper. Then, store the archival boxes inside the cedar chest. The buffered boxes would help offset the acidity of the wood. The tissue alone wouldn't quite cut it.
Jazzy, and I don't even have any antique clothes to preserve...
Jazzy- thank you for the great information
Thank you, Abby, that is a very useful thing to know. I have some old things that need protecting and now I know how.
Glad it was helpful!
...do you know which store in Louisville, Kentucky?
After this whole pandemic thing, I might have an antique store to visit.
.......ESPETACULAR............INCRÍVEL........MARAVILHOSA
I’m so glad to see this! I have an entire late Victorian day gown and a 1870s bodice that I need to figure out the best way to store. At least I already sourced archival tissue paper.
Unfortunately it’s a bit harder for me to figure out where to store the clothes where I live...I have three a**hole cats that absolutely adore chewing on boxes and getting into fabric 🤦♀️. I hope to do an in depth analysis on each of the garments, possibly trying to recreate them in more wearable sizes (I’m not that tiny).
Designate one room as a "cat-free" room. If they are clever enough to turn knobs or hit levers, put a hasp and pin on both sides... so it can be secured while you are inside or outside of that room. Put also a cord pull to unlock the outside if someone is amused enough to lock you in. OR bring the pin with you when you change sides of the door. Cats like to pull pins out of pincushions. You don't want to guess if they swallowed any, or gobbled up threaded needle. (don't ask) Sign on the outside of the door alerts visitors and family to take it seriously.
@@katehenry2718 that’s pretty much what I’ve tried to do. I love my babies but often want to strangle them at the same time
Omg I just discovered that the container store ships to Canada! (Although they are out of the archival box size I need 😭)
Try Gaylord or Blicks... I realize this was three months ago and you live in Canada but they are other options.
Sweet,,, Thanks
I wonder: will this kind of box be able to protect the textiles from a moth invasion? If so, I definitely need to get it ;).
Loved this! My grams are so into me that’s into historical costume (and history) last year she gave me her mother’s (my great grandmother’s) little sisters nightgown from 1915-1920. It’s a girl nightgown sewed by my grate grate grandmother. However it’s just in a wrapping paper. My grams said it could hang over my sewing machine but I really want to take good care of it since it is a direct art piece made, and ownd by generations of women in my family. And that’s a beautiful thing... omg! And it’s a 100 years old. Did not think of that! So thanks! Will find a box and give it the love it deserves!
Yes! And as an artist - I think it's so important that you preserve your family's art! I have some drawings and clothing pieces from some great aunts (c. 1900s) and they're so precious! ❤❤❤
Very helpful. Thank you!
This is a really random question but would the things be safe if wrapped in the acid free tissue paper (many layers) and stored in a tote bin? Where I live it's really hard to find those specific boxes so the long thin locking totes is really the closest we can get.
Abby, don't forget your rings. Also would you do this jewellery? I recently got my first vintage/antique jewellery and I want to make sure it's well taken care of.
I would recommend a light tan shallow modular box set from Gaylord Archival with metal edges and cut-to-size crumbled (or shredded) acid-free tissue paper. Do you best not to twist or coil things like necklaces. Keep them as flat as possible and pack them so that they don't jostle too much when you move the box.
@@chaeburger Thank you.
Ok you museum archival folks, a major textile problem. I have a 1930s-40s, red, Japanese kimono I had hanging because I love looking at it but unknown to me was a freshly placed glue trap to catch mice. Hold on.......my beautiful kimono somehow “fell” (my husband admits to nothing and hates my kimono collection) and some of the hem plopped into the thick glue trap and now has thick, sticky glue on it. I delicately removed the trap from the kimono but it still has thick glue that needs to be removed. I live in the D.C. area and was thinking to call someone at the Smithsonian but I don’t know whom to ask or where to start. Any suggestions?
This video is so helpful! I'm trying to protect a few new Victorian pieces in my collection, and I'm concerned that there may be moths in them already from the original owners. any tips on eliminating even potential infestations while storing? I'm afraid of using typical moth balls because of the chemicals involved....Thank you for your videos on conservation at home!!!
Would you use the same boxes and tissue paper for fur? I inherited a lot of fur pieces and the current box they were in is not in good shape.
While I haven't really spent time studying fur conservation, from what I can tell, the same boxes & tissue paper are okay for fur/leather. Another thing to keep in mind is to make sure the fur stays cool and is low humidity (so no attic storage😊)
Thank you so much!!
@Abby Cox
Oh no. The attic is where my late grandma's mink jacket is.
I think I need to rethink that.
I work in a library... I'm not sure why it never occurred to me to use archival boxes... We get ours from Gaylord. I wanted to get into antique dress collecting, so I bought one ... and my mother threw it in the wash and ruined the lace. I'm still heartbroken haha. Thank you for these tips! It'll have a safe place to live now until I can figure out what to do with it.
Ooooooof
I just bought my first antique garment and now I have so many questions. Thankfully it's linen so I don't have to deal with shattering silk. There is heavy creasing from being folded in a chest for over a century. Should I stuff buffered tissue paper inside to open up the creases? Is there such thing as too much tissue paper? There are some spots that look like something dripped on the fabric that was facing up and then oxidized. Will these be harmful to the fabric?
i wonder if u write anything on the box? most scraptbooking pens are acid free?
I live in the desert too. Storage is a pain
Jazz hands! 🙌❤️
😎😎😎😎😎😎😎
So I had my wedding dress "professionally" cleaned. They put it into an archival box and told me to never open it unless I was planning to use the dress. I never got to see the dress after I gave it to the cleaners...just the box. If I open up the box should I get a new box and tissue paper to pack it back up in? Or is the old box okay...unless of course I find some damage?
I’m not sure if they did something chemically to the gown, but if it was just cleaned and put into the box, then you’ll be ok opening the box to have a look!
Sounds like they stole the dress and told you to never open it, so you wouldn’t notice... 🧐 (just kidding ^^ )
Thank you! I need this!
Jazzy: now I know what to do with my wedding dress
We bought it 40 years ago in a Boston antique store. It fit almost perfectly, a little big in the bodice and I was not able to button the last button on the sleeves.
If I’m packing a full length gown where should I do the folds?
I like her, she's silly.
Jazzy!!!