Guide to Costume Preservation and Storage for Heirloom Garments, Wedding Dresses, Baptism Outfits and more.
Proper storage is essential for preserving textiles and costumes, helping to prevent damage and deterioration over time. Follow these instructions to safely store a costume, garment, wedding dress or baptism dress in a Heritage archival storage box, cushioned and wrapped for long-term acid-free preservation. Additionally, check out the video below for a visual guide!
Materials Needed for Garment / Wedding Dress Preservation
Archival storage box (chosen from standard sizes or custom-built)
Archival tissue paper (buffered for plant-based fibers—e.g., cotton—or unbuffered for protein-based fibers—e.g., wool, leather, silk)
Costume or textile to be stored
Preparation
Ensure Cleanliness
Clean the costume carefully, ensuring it is free of debris or excess material. Handle the costume with clean hands or gloves, and remove any jewelry that could potentially snag the textile.
Prepare the Archival Box
Choose an archival box that fits your costume well. If necessary, have one custom-built to meet the dimensions of your textile object.
Step-by-Step Storage Process
Step 1: Begin Stuffing the Costume
Remove Accessories
Take off any removable parts, like hats or detachable trims. For this example, we’ve removed a hat accessory and unbuttoned the bottom of the costume, discarding the plastic hanger.
Stuff the Sleeves
Roll a sheet of tissue paper to fit snugly across each sleeve, then carefully place the stuffed sleeves alongside the costume’s body. This will reduce folds and prevent the sleeves from creasing during storage.
Fill the Body of the Costume
Lightly scrunch tissue paper and place it within the body of the costume, ensuring there is enough padding to prevent creasing. Use buffered tissue paper for plant-based fabrics, like cotton, to maintain an acid-free environment. For protein-based textiles like wool, leather, or silk, use unbuffered tissue paper.
Support the Bottom of the Costume
Place a rolled sheet of tissue at the bottom of the costume to support areas like leg openings or hems once rebuttoned.
Lightly Stuff Accessories
If the costume has an accessory, such as a hat, lightly stuff it with tissue paper to help it maintain its shape.
Step 2: Wrap and Position the Costume
Lay the Costume
Position the costume, arranging the arms to reduce surface area. Account for any added space taken up by accessories like hats.
Measure for Box Dimensions
Measure the length, width, and height of the stuffed costume to confirm it will fit in your chosen box. If the measurements do not fit a standard size, consider ordering a custom box.
Step 3: Prepare the Muslin Sling*
*Why a muslin sling? The muslin sling will act as an easy and safe way to effectively remove all contents from the box without damaging the contents.
Cut the Muslin Fabric
To create a sling, cut the muslin fabric to twice the length of the box plus twice the height, ensuring the fabric is able to wrap fully around the contents. The muslin width should be just slightly less than the box width for easy insertion and removal.
Position the Muslin in the Box
Place the muslin fabric inside the box, letting the ends drape over the sides. This sling will make transferring the costume in and out of the box easier.
Step 4: Layer and Store the Costume
Add a Layer of Tissue Paper
Before adding the costume, place a sheet of tissue at the bottom of the box. This additional layer acts as a barrier to prevent snagging.
Place the Costume in the Box
Place the stuffed costume in the box, piece by piece, gently padding any remaining gaps with tissue paper. This step prevents shifting and protects delicate parts from pressure.
Adjust Tissue Paper as Needed
Depending on the size and number of costume pieces, you may need to add or remove tissue to ensure each piece is secure. Lightly crumple padded areas to maximize the tissue’s volume, without compacting it.
Add a Final Layer of Tissue
Place one final layer of tissue on top of the costume for added protection.
Step 5: Wrap and Secure with Muslin
Wrap the Muslin Flaps Around the Contents
Fold the muslin sling over the costume, securing it for long-term storage. This extra layer will help keep the costume safe and make transferring it easier when it’s time to revisit or move the item.
Following these steps, your textile object is safely stored and protected for years to come. Regularly check on stored textiles and costumes, ensuring that the materials and storage environment remain suitable.