Re: Question about rolling quilts for storage

[Margaret Geiss-Mooney <mgmooney@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Good afternoon, fellow TexCon'rs - Yes, there is the "hanging rolled
storage" versus the "sitting rolled storage" to consider absolutely. When
the budget wasn't available to buy even nitrile gloves for the volunteers
(no paid staff whatsoever), I've used donated rolled terrycloth washcloths
and sheeting, rolled to the size to get the elevation needed. I then put
these end rolls in to the appropriate size Ziploc baggy to keep the end
rolls cleaner, slow down any pests moving in and to minimize water
absorbency. 
Regards,
Margaret (Meg) Geiss-Mooney
Textile/Costume Conservator
Professional Associate, AIC
mgmooney@xxxxxxxxxxxx

...Another consideration in storing rolled textiles, especially those of  
considerable weight and volume, is elevation of the tube ends, to  
avoid compression of the weight-bearing underside (the bottom of the  
roller).  I find half-circles cut from blocks of Ethafoam can raise  
the roller enough to clear the textile from the shelf surface. Too  
much elevation can encourage sagging in the tube center and risk  
compression of the textile in that area.
On Feb 14, 2007, at 2:39 PM, Margaret Geiss-Mooney wrote:
> Good morning, fellow TexCon'rs - How I responded to the question posed
> earlier.
> Regards,
> Meg Geiss-Mooney
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Margaret Geiss-Mooney [mailto:mgmooney@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
> Subject: [qhl] RE: Question about rolling quilts for storage
>
> Good morning, QHLers - As a textile/costume conservator in private  
> practice here in northern California, I do recommend rolled storage for  
> quilts BUT not as a wholesale recommendation (i.e. EVERY quilt in the  
> collection is rolled). EACH quilt must be assessed for which
type/technique of  
> storage would be the best in the long run for THAT quilt. I usually
recommend that
> silk-laden crazy quilts (even painted) never be rolled, for example,
because
> of their propensity for shattering (they usually are already going down
that
> road quickly). The current physical condition of the other styles of
quilts
> is the primary determination, for me, whether rolled storage is
recommendation. The diameter of the tube/rod needs to be as large as
possible - I recommend at least 2-1/2" - 3" OD, preferably larger. Any tying
round must be done carefully and not cinch down into the rolled  
> textile (even those the deceased grandmothers would be rolling in their
graves
> because the ties are loose enough for one finger to be inserted under the
> tie). For those one-woman operations, I recommend that a rolling/hanging
> cart be obtained (I love the Metro™ shelving component system) to  
> serve as the "other pair of hands needed" when getting a rolled textile
out of
> storage and when the rolled textile has to be moved.
>
> No matter the style of storage (rolled, boxed, flat, draped,  hanging), it
 must be executed thoughtfully and without haste. Great ideas and intentions
> will be overshadowed if the actual storage process is done by personnel
> (whether trained or untrained; paid or volunteer) following a  
> cookie-cutter direction (ALL the quilts are to be rolled) who hurry thru
the  
> process.
>Now stepping off her soap box. Can you tell I will be leading a  
> workshop on costume/textile storage next month!? <g>  And don't get me
started  
> on padded hangers that are made up in bulk by well-meaning volunteers
without  
> even looking at/measuring the intended costume!?
> Regards,
> Margaret (Meg) Geiss-Mooney
> Textile/Costume Conservator
> Professional Associate, AIC
> mgmooney@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> ....Is the conservation community still recommending rolled
> storage for quilts and, if so, why?  Are there any new techniques  
> that are
> now being recommended?.....

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