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)

• Muslin fabric

• Costume or textile to be stored

Preparation

1. 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.

2. 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

1. 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.

2. 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.

   

3. 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.

   

4. 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.

   

5. 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

1. Lay the Costume

   Position the costume, arranging the arms to reduce surface area. Account for any added space taken up by accessories like hats.

   

2. 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.

1. 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.

   

2. 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

1. 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.

2. 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.

   

   
   

3. 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.

   

4. 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

1. 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.