Thread: Quilt Storage

Hello Wonderfuls.
Today I brought home this wonderful piece .. a Hutch and knew it was going to be for my antique glass and cookbooks. I am planning another piece about the same size to go on the opposite side of the room for quilt storage. I am thinking of a larger wardrobe type but wonder if there any woods that would NOT be a good idea for quilt storage. Any ideas or input on storing quilts is much appreciated here.

You know, I have read so much about storing quilts, or should I say where NOT to store them!
Wood, plastic, sun, dust, on and on and on.
So my question is: Where exactly can you store them!!!! AAARRRGGGHHH
I store mine everywhere, with the exception of direct sunlight and plastic.
I rotate mine a lot so if they wear out at least they have a chance of wearing out the same LOL
Sorry but I couldn't help myself here. Fabrics just don't last forever! I like to enjoy mine :)

I think if you lined the shelves and backs with fabric or acid proof paper any wood could work out, or if you wrapped the quilts in cotton bags or pillowcases. I think the biggest problem is acids from the wood seeping into the fabric. Wonder if a heavy varnish would prevent that happening? I have several chinese boxes in which I store table linen, knitwear and cookbooks, the boxes are heavily decorated and varnished but the wood inside is raw. I was told it was camphorwood, anyway, some of that stuff has been in those boxes for over a decade (ok 20 years...I am a reforming hoarder) without lining and without being damaged. Will be interesting to see what everyone else has to say.

So, if the wood hurts the quilts, why do they make wood quilt chest, you know the pretty ones with the etched glass that look so inviting, wouldnt those be bad for the fabric?

Originally Posted by trif

So, if the wood hurts the quilts, why do they make wood quilt chest, you know the pretty ones with the etched glass that look so inviting, wouldnt those be bad for the fabric?

Yeah and wooden quilt stands.

My sister stored an antique quilt in the cedar chest and a wood worm went through the chest and put a hole in the quilt. Don't know what is the proper way to store these quilts.

On most furniture items the wood has been treated with some type of sealer (shellac, varnish, poly etc) so I don't see a problem. I store my stash in a vintage Ethan Allen buffet.

I ruined my almost 68 yr. old baby quilt by storing it in a cedar chest. The wood ate the fabric where it touched the wood. I have quilts folded & stored in a bedroom wooden chest with shelves, but i put old sheets between the wood & the quilts.

If all the places listed harm the fabric of quilts then i say just lay them all over your house :!: LOL

I am glad I started this thread. I never realized how badly wood could wreak havoc on storing quilts. Now, I fully understand the cotton quilt bag concept. What about plastic bags... they don't allow the fabric to breath but keep out the elements. I am assuming extreme heat would make them sweat? YES?