What is the best way to store tatting?

[Tarie]

HI I have a friend who told me that plastic bags degrade the tatting over time. Is this true? If so how should I store the tatting? I don't want it to be damaged. thanks

[PattyD]

The best way to store tatting is to use it! If you make something, use it. If it's really some of your best work, at least frame it. Framing should have the glass not touching the tatting, that's what a mat is for, to keep the glass off the work and let it breathe. Under the right (wrong!) conditions, moisture can condense inside a frame on the glass. If the framed work never touches the glass, it won't come in contact with the condensation.

For long term storage, archival materials have non-reactive compositions and can be quite expensive. For daily use, sandwich bags should be just fine. They do keep out the dust and damp and that's a benefit. Handling your laces transfers oils from your hands which is much more likely to damage the tatting than the plastic is. After 50 or 100 years, the plastic may not do quite so well LOL!. So it all depends on how you value the work and how long you want to protect it.

All that being said, if you wash and block your pieces before you store them, they will be much more likely to survive without damage. Do not starch before storing. Starch can attract critters that like to eat tatting! And starch can yellow.

[Susan B T]

I agree with Patty... use it. A special piece can be framed with acid free matting. If framed keep out of heat and direct sunlight... you can get glass that has UV protection in it.
Layer pieces not in use in acid free tissue, in a box. Things you do not use.....
wash once a year so it does not dry rot....

[Tarie]

Hmm this is good advice but framing is expensive. I have several cross-stitch projects I couldn't afford to frame also. I'll think on it.

[Ridgewoman]

Hmm this is good advice but framing is expensive. I have several cross-stitch projects I couldn't afford to frame also. I'll think on it.

[SIZE="4"]Yes, framing is expensive. If you want to store the pieces, go with the archival tissue and archival boxes. They are reasonable in price.

I have only framed very special pieces; and, I have a person with those skills and mat-board, frames in the house. Even with her price breaks, it is still not inexpensive!

The last counted cross-stitch piece I had framed as a gift to my cousin was $56 at a shop I trusted, in CA. She used archival mat-board and spacers; and I ordered special glass. The piece was about 11 x 14 and took forever to work! LOL I wanted to make sure it was properly mounted and preserved after all that work ~ I've yet to tat anything that was special enough to frame.

The largest piece is a tatted table runner and not likely to frame that; but, gave it to my daughter in an archival box with archival tissue and told her to keep it in that when not in use! That represented YEARS of work (I'm slow) as it is 20 + inches by five feet! Each motif was the size of a quarter ~ I must have been MAD to do that one! LOL

Bev

[Tarie]

Where do I get the special box and tissues? About how much will it cost?

[wezyus]

The best storage system is to use, expose or decorate it at ur place n feel the happiness of it beautiness n whats more, u will get many appreciations from others.

[Tarie]

I have two small kids and two cats. If I put it out everywhere it would get destroyed.

[wezyus]

I have two small kids and two cats. If I put it out everywhere it would get destroyed.

So u hve to store it till the kids grows up ..am sorry...dont know any other storage methods .....thnks

[Imoshen]

My local Micheals Crraft store sells archival photo storage boxes that are acid-free. Depending on the size of the box you want their prices were ranging from $5-$75. One of the great things about Micheal's is that they always have a coupon for 40% off one item in the weekly Sunday paper. You can even get the coupon online every once in a while or in the store itself they have flyer's with the coupon included.