cedar chest and quilts
05-08-2013, 06:10 PM
#3
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
If you line the cedar chest with muslin, it would be okay. Alternatively, place quilts inside pillowcases. Cedar chests, as is the case with all wood products (cardboard, tissue paper, etc.), leaks an acid that will gradually eat fabric. Many vintage quilts that were stored unprotected in cedar chests come out with "rust" lines along the folds where the fabric touched the wood; that is the beginning of the acid damage.
If you encase your quilts in pillowcases and take them out every year or so to wash the pillowcases (and refold the quilts along different lines), you would be okay.
If you encase your quilts in pillowcases and take them out every year or so to wash the pillowcases (and refold the quilts along different lines), you would be okay.
05-08-2013, 09:35 PM
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 6,395
As I understand it, the purpose of cedar chests was storage that would be free of moths and other bugs that might damage the items.
I think if you make sure the item is not touching the wood then it would still be a very desirable way of storing your quilts.
I think if you make sure the item is not touching the wood then it would still be a very desirable way of storing your quilts.
05-08-2013, 10:05 PM
#8
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: mid MI
Posts: 288
my mother stored family air looms in a cedar chest for 50 years, never took them out except to brag. at that time she would wash them, "because people had touched them," refolded the items put them back in the cedar chest and closed the top. we never noticed any damage. she has been gone over 30 years and I haven't noticed any since I've had the cedar chest.
05-09-2013, 03:15 AM
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Vermont
Posts: 7,000
Even storing fabric in cardboard can cause stains (ask me how I know). I would agree, have a layer between the quilt and the raw wood.
From HGTV.com
Be aware that cedar stains.
If you are storing clothing in a cedar chest or another wooden container, be sure to line it with acid-free paper, muslin or even old, clean, cotton bed sheets. This will keep the wood from contacting the clothing directly, which could stain or damage the item.
From HGTV.com
Be aware that cedar stains.
If you are storing clothing in a cedar chest or another wooden container, be sure to line it with acid-free paper, muslin or even old, clean, cotton bed sheets. This will keep the wood from contacting the clothing directly, which could stain or damage the item.
Last edited by ptquilts; 05-09-2013 at 03:17 AM.
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