Quilts are basic need of every home, people value some quilts most because of heritage and emotions. But storing those quilts for long term so you can pass them on to your next generation is quite a skill. You need to wrap quilts for long term storage in a manner that bring crease free, pest free, and fabric freshening values to your quilt.
In this specific guide we are going to discuss some special and modern techniques which leads to the successful storage of quilts. This will include wrapping quilts, storing, labeling and maintaining them for a long term.
Display Of Bedding
A household usually contains different style and sizes of bedding, some of them are seasonal, some are vintage and some are only for display. But question is how do you keep them safe until next season? And how do you wrap the quilts for long term storage?
The quilts you keep for daily usage and ones you keep for display are different. You need a proper display technique to represent them with their rightful soul. Storage of quilts need proper folding and wrapping technique for each style of quilt. Acid papers and other storage essentials are crucial to follow for long term storage of quilts in a proper manner.
Quilt Display Essentials
Larger quilts are easy ones to display on hanging racks, boards and on the couch’s backs. You can use quilt rack for lap quilt display. If you do not have any of these essentials, drape the lap quilt or the largest quilt on the side of bed or over the back of couch.
One of the best alternate that I have tried for quilt rack was ladder. yes, the small ladders that you use in your home. You can drape your quilt on the first step of the ladder and cover the length with quilt. Most colorful and unique quilts will cover your space like a magic.
Why Storing Quilts do Matter?
Seasonal Effects
Because of seasonal effects in the atmosphere, quilts do need some care to live a long life with you carrying nostalgic vibes. Otherwise, moisture damage, pests and insects infestation can ruin the bedding for good. Not only you cannot clean them thoroughly, but these beautiful quilts are now ruined for lifetime.
Wrong Wrapping Effects
Heavy folding compresses, creases can ruin the filling and can cause stains that would not leave for sure. Storing quilts properly can prolong their lifetime and quality of fibre, feather and keeps your quilts fresh and lofty.
Prepare Well To Wrap Quilts For Long Term
Pre Storage
Before you start thinking of storing your quilts in large bins for a forgetful time span, it is better to prepare them for this storage. Sun dry them for a day to remove odor and moisture completely out of quilts. Later, you need to air dry them for complete cure.
Box Preparation
Heavy and large quilts need big storage even if you fold or wrap them, so prepare large storage bins and heavy duty plastic storage boxes with lids. If you have lid boxes with proper air flow and a pest protection (boxes with an exhaust system) this will be best for quilts.
Essentials To Wrap Quilts For Long Term
Needed Items
Gather some necessary items to wrap quilts for long term storage in boxes. First one is cotton bags, these bags will be helpful to keep quilts airy and clean through out the storage. A must needed air flow is provided with help of these bags while they protect against dust, dirt, pest and stains from creasing.
Storage Space
A cool and dry space to store quilt boxes, or a ventilated storage space. Prepare acid papers, pool noodles, plastic tub, lavender sachets for freshness and protection against moisture. Make sure your storage boxes are stored in a shaded storage, away from direct sunlight. Avoid wooden storage as it can cause discoloration in long term storage process.
Basic Rules To Wraps Quilts
Don’t Do The Following For Quilt Storage
Considering the sensitivity of temperature and air flow do not store your quilts in attic or basement. Too many folded quilts on top of each other cause damage to the fabric and feather of quilt, which ultimately can cause damage to the loft of quilt. Also it will create a long lasting crease which will eventually damage the quilt’s drape.
Layering Or Stacking
If you are going to follow layering method for storing quilts, guest bed is the best option. Rotate your quilts in this stack using the Last In First Out method, simply just pull out the lastly placed quilt and switch it with the first one or the lower one.
Folding and Wrapping
If your quilts are larger than twin size, it is best to fold them, To fold properly follow this method. Take the first third of the quilt and fold or roll it on top of the remaining quilt and repeat the process one more time. You will have a cylindrical shape of quilt. You can use a pool noodle to do the folding too.
Use A Pool Noodle To Avoid Creases
Take a pool noodle in half the width of your quilt. Fold your quilt in half length wise and place pool noodle at the 1/3rd part of quilt, fold it there and repeat one more time. This pool noodle will protect your quilt against hard creases and folding marks.
Avoid Vacuum Storage
You might think it as a best idea to store your quilts in a vacuum sealed wrapper for long term storage, but it is not. Eventually it will cause fabric damage, feather breakage, discoloration, hard creases and out of place loft and softness in an airtight place. For soft feather based quilts, it is better to store them in a proper air flow space to keep the essence alive.
Acid Free Paper In Between The Folds
An acid free tissue paper is used to keep quilts moisture free, fresh and airy for a long term storage. You can place this paper in between every fold and in between the layers of each quilt. Crumple this paper for good and keep it between the folds.
Use A Quilt Cover
When you are done with the folding, wrap this quilt in a cover, may be silk or satin both are best. These cover will protect quilts against wear and tear, dust, and seasonal effects while covering the temperature problems. Or simply, over these quilts you can use a muslin sack or a pillow case for budget friendly solutions.
Build Cover For Quilts
If you do not have a quilt special storage system, you can build your own with the help of pool noodles. This is also known as rolled tub storage, first of all, lock two ends of pool noodles with each other to create a box. Wrap the pool noodle with acid free tissue paper, use glass head pins to secure this system. Cover your quilts in pillow cases and store in this pool noodle tub make it higher according to the quantity of quilts.
Conclusion
To wrap quilts for long term storage, prepare them for storage first and dry them completely. Prepare a noodle tub to store them and prevent them from discoloration and damage. Keep an acid paper crumpled in between the folds and in between two quilts. Avoid wrapping them in stretched and tight layers to stop creasing. Do not store them in vacuum sealed boxes for too long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Acid free quilt storage boxes are the best solution to store quilts for long term. Anyways you can use pillow cases with acid free tissue in them as a temporary solution.
