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Before you store your quilt, make sure it is thoroughly documented, photographed, insured and appraised.

Make sure your quilt is clean. Remove surface dust by placing a piece of screening (with taped edges) over your quilt and vacuuming gently with a hand-held attachment. If you notice any stains, remove them before storing. There are several good books which tells you how to clean quilts. NEVER send your quilt to a dry cleaners. The dry cleaning process can damage your quilt, not to mention the possibility of your quilt being lost as happened to one hand appliquéd, hand quilted masterpiece (http://www.lostquilt.com/HandAppliqued.html).

Fabric needs to breathe to lessen the chance of mildew. Do not store in plastic bags or plastic boxes.

Even if you don't store your quilts in plastic, moisture can be a problem. Check your quilts regularly to see if they feel moist or cool. If moisture is a concern, place a tub of dessicant near your quilts. Dessicant is a little tub of crystals that absorbs moisture in small spaces. You should be able to find it at a hardware store or a drug store near the spray starch.

Store your quilt as flat a possible in a darkened area. The bed in your spare bedroom may be ideal. If you do fold your quilt, fold it with the backing on the inside, cushion the folds with crushed, acid-free tissue paper, and store it wrapped in muslin, in a pillowcase, or in an acid free box. (If you must fold your quilt, fold it horizontally first. Horizontal creases seem to fall out easier when a quilt is hung due to the weight of the quilt.) Placing your quilt under your bed may also be a good storage place for smaller quilts or for quilts that are just folded once or twice. Refold your quilt in a different way every three to six months. Quilts may also be rolled around a tube for storage. Cover the tube first with acid free tissue paper or muslin. Do not fold your quilt before rolling. Then cover your rolled quilt with another layer of muslin.

Do not place quilts directly against wood for long term storage. The natural oils in the wood or the wood finish can sometimes transfer to your quilt. Cardboard also has acids which can be destructive to fabric. If you plan to use a box for storage, be sure to use acid free tissue paper and acid free boxes. Acid free boxes may be available from your dry cleaners or through mail order sources.

Bugs like to fabric, especially protein fibers like silk or wool, so if that is a concern place a bag of artemesia near your quilts. Bugs don't like it so they stay away. Dried artemesia, also known as wormwood, is an herb that may be purchased at some healthfood stores or off the internet. It can also be purchased live at some nurseries.

Someone else may have to retrieve your quilts in the future. Make it easy on them. Include information regarding who should receive your quilts if you were to die. Grieving relatives do not always know the value of your treasured quilts and quilted clothing. They may unknowingly give or throw them away! At least one precious item (http://www.lostquilt.com/CQJacket.html) was sent to a thrift store because no instructions were left by its owner. Be sure to make note of where any documentation (http://www.lostquilt.com/Documenting.html) is located for each quilt. Do not store your quilt with paper touching it since the acid in paper can damage fabric.

Inspect regularly for possible damage due to moisture or bugs.

• Care and Preservation of Antique Textiles and Costumes
  (http://www.hfmgv.org/research/cis/textile.html)
• Care of Antique Quilts
  (http://reddawn.net/quilt/antique.htm)
• Care of Victorian Silk Quilts and Slumber Throws
  (http://www.si.edu/resource/faq/nmah/vicquilt.htm)
• Caring For Textiles
  (http://aic.stanford.edu/treasure/textiles.html)
• Cleaning and Caring For Quilts
  (http://www.quiltvalues.com/quiltcare.shtml)
• Cleaning Antique Quilts
  (http://www.quilthistory.com/cleaning.htm)
• Collection Care Conservation Center - Textiles
  (http://www.collectioncare.org/cci/ccict.html)
• Conservation Tips from the International Quilt Study Center
  (http://www.quilthistory.com/cleaning.htm)
• Fabric Family Heirlooms Require Special Attention
  (http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/features/1103867)
• Guidelines for Selecting a Conservator
  (http://aic.stanford.edu/select/select.html)
• How do I store antique textiles at home?
  (http://www.si.edu/resource/faq/nmah/antqtext.htm)
• Michigan Quilt Project: Quilt Care
  (http://museum.msu.edu/museum/esp/mqp/qcare.html)
• Preparing Your Quilt for Storage
  (http://www.quiltbroker.com/quilt_storage.html)
• Preserving Antique Quilts
  (http://antiques.about.com/hobbies/antiques/library/weekly/aa101199.htm)
• Preserving Historic Quilts
  (http://www.rmqm.org/preservi.htm)
• Preserving My Heritage: How to Care for Quilts
  (http://www.preservation.gc.ca/howto/articles/quilts_e.asp)
• Preserving Your Quilt
  (http://www.mnhs.org/about/publications/techtalk/TechTalkSeptember1997.pdf)
• Quilt Care Guide
  (http://www.bluebirdgardens.com/careindex.htm)
• Quilt Care: Practical tips for the use and enjoyment of your antique quilt
  (http://www.quilthistory.com/quilt_care.htm)
• Quilt Storage Information
  (http://www.quiltbroker.com/quilt_storage.html)
• Quiltin' Hollow--Storing Your Quilt
  (http://www.hgtv.com/village/villages/crafton/shows/qhw/qltprojstore.html)
• Quiltin' Hollow--Cleaning Your Quilt
  (http://www.hgtv.com/village/villages/crafton/shows/qhw/qltprojclean.html)
• Storage of Quilts
  (http://reddawn.net/quilt/storage.htm)
• Wet Cleaning Quilts at Home
  (http://www.bishop.hawaii.org/bishop/conservation/quilts.html)
• Storing Your Quilts Properly for Future Generations
  (http://quiltersreview.com/article.asp?article=/tip/quilting/010319_a.asp)
• Caring for Quilts, Part 1
  (http://quiltersreview.com/article.asp?article=/tip/quilting/010514_a.asp)
• Caring for Quilts, Part 2
  (http://quiltersreview.com/article.asp?article=/tip/quilting/010521_a.asp)
• Caring for Quilts, Part 3
  (http://quiltersreview.com/article.asp?article=/tip/quilting/010528_a.asp)
• Quilt Care for Today
  (http://ttsw.com/debbieroberts/quiltcare.htm)

Books and Periodicals:

• Blanchard, Becky, "How to Care for Quilts," American Quilter, Vol. 1, No. 3, (Winter 1985), pp. 53-56.
• Klussmann, Mary Ann, "Storage: Stack It. Hang It. Hide It.," American Quilter, Vol. XII, No. 1, (Spring 1997), p. 54.
• Reynolds, Andi, "You Can't Take It With You," Quilter's Newsletter Magazine, No. 314, (July/August 1999), pp. 54-55.

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