Question: Storing fabric in plastic
#41
I've stored fabric every which way you can think of. In plastic tubs, plastic bags, cardboard boxes, shelves of every kind of material. The only things I've ever had a problem with has been plastic bags. I guess they don't breathe. After revisiting them, there was moisture in the bags. Fortunately I caught it in time, washed the fabric and all is good. It probably has to do with location and humidity too. Anyway, just thought I'd share my 2 cents.
#42
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Originally Posted by costumegirl
Why is it not a good idea to use a cedar chest?
If you have to store in a cedar chest, I would wrap the quilt in a large pillowcase or sheet so the quilt is not in direct contact with the wood.
Incidentally, cardboard and tissue paper have the same problem. For long-term storage, it's best to use archival-quality cardboard and tissue paper. This applies to storage of photographs too. They should be mounted on archival-quality paper, not regular paper.
#43
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Maryville, Tn
Posts: 1,786
I don't pretend to be an expert on the topic.. however.. I have sewn for over a half of a century and I've got fabrics that have been stored in plastic "bins" for as much as 20 years.. some for up to 4 years without being opened. I have had NO problem with foul odors or deterioration. I have gone into fabric shops and been overwhelmed by the smell of formaldehyde used in processing the fabric.. it's used for setting color and in a process for making the fabric "permanent press". I frequently give the "sniff test" to fabrics.. especially the cheap stuff and if I catch a chemical whiff it stays on the shelf. This is one reason I've been a long time "prewasher" of fabrics.
#44
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 106
Plastic bags are know to let of toxic gases. I ws told to never store my quilts in them. That's why I always use pillow cases to store things in.Then they can be put in the large tubes or totes.My mother stored material and quilts between layers of muslin. Alot of thah was stored in cedar chests or blanket boxes.Just avoid thin plastic,like the store shopping bags and garment bags.
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: South Elgin,IL
Posts: 483
Originally Posted by stoppain
Originally Posted by sewcrafty
90% of my fabric has been stored in large plastic bins for years. No problem, in fact, because I store my fabric in the basement it doesn't get musty!!
Hi Quilters,,, I have all my fabirc in plastic storage containers
,no problems at all. I found this really nice cloth bags to place my finish quilts in--From Clotilde's
Use those fabric on a Reversible Quilt by Sharon Pederson
Fun and not hard to do
[email protected]
About those bags--they have a pocket on the outside,for information
#46
It probably can effect the fabric if you keep it in a very damp or hot area. I had yarn in those vaccuum bags and in another plastic bin in the garage and it had to air out for several days to rid the musty smell.
#47
Originally Posted by bearisgray
I've heard/read that one should not store fabric in plastic
How about plastic totes? I had my husband drill air holes near the top of some of mine - was that a good idea or not?
How about plastic bags? I just read about storing cut pieces in baggies - which would not be an issue if they get sewn in the near future - but what if they are left in them for many years?
How about plastic totes? I had my husband drill air holes near the top of some of mine - was that a good idea or not?
How about plastic bags? I just read about storing cut pieces in baggies - which would not be an issue if they get sewn in the near future - but what if they are left in them for many years?
#49
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Antioch, Ca
Posts: 52
I have fabrics in long flat plastic bine that has been there for about 10yrs. they are stacked on the top shelf of what was my spare bedroom/craft/sewing room before my son and his two kids moved in in may 2004. I haven't even opened them and i guess now that i've started thinking of sewing again, i will check them.......i'm sure they will be fine as no sun gets in there..... : -)!
Fay
Fay
#50
Originally Posted by bearisgray
How about ordinary cardboard boxes?
Sometimes, we get sold a bill of goods because someone wants us to buy something, I think.
The difference between plastic containers and plastic bags is a difference in the permeability ... that being said, even our plastic bottles are permeable, hence the reason my Pepsi goes flat if it has been opened for more than four days. As long as there is permeability in the container, then there is air circulation, which is one of the reasons one should never store or display natural fibers in a sealed glass container ..
the plastic container is manufactured differently than a plastic bag, so that could account for the difference in what the plastic gives on in micro fumes of gasoline.
I would think that a container with a snap on lid is still far from air tight (she says as she prays that is the case since she has YARDS of fabric that has been stored in YEARS!)
And, on that note ... consider that clear thread ... that is a very fine fishing line - - plastic ... I would be more concerned with that thread breaking down and coming apart before I would worry about containers causing problems for fabric. <wave>
I haven't read this complete thread, so if I have been redundant in my musings, I apologize ... but storage is always something we are aware of.
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