Dear Jeri,
Now I have a really good idea about what to do. Although I do see
problems with a sealer, although probably not as many as with raw wood, that's
for sure.
Cover cloths are standard procedure. Ever go to a class without them? It's
not worth it. And rightly so, they protect from all sorts of things. But for
storage, especially of my new really good pillow, (cherry, 3 drawers, velvet)
it appears that a custom 3 layer cover, probably without zipper, but a foldover
mechanism inside the plywood box, sealed on the inside at least, but well dried
and aired for a long time, should help preserve it, and whatever is on it. I
have plans for that pillow. My other pillows are usually cheap things, one is
homemade, but works.
Fabric 'shower caps' for cookie pillows are a great idea. If you can make
lace, you can certainly sew these things. Need to find a good print.
Thank you so much for being there and willing to answer questions.
Lyn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, US, where it's cooler after the rain, 71F
24.5C, but very humid. Where was this weather in June?
-----Original Message-----
>From: [email protected]
>Sent: Aug 13, 2011 3:49 PM
>To: [email protected]
>Cc: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: [lace] Pillow holder - conservation concerns - 3rd reply
>
>Dear Lyn,
>
>If your pillows are stored in containers that off-gas, I think 3 layers
>will help by absorbing the effects of direct acid burn. The wraps do not
>have to be sewn into holders. You can just gently wrap. I have antique
>family trunks made of wood that was not sealed, and decided to take a look
>recently. The contents were mostly old sheets. The outer layers, especially
>those that touched the wood, had acid burn. There, you have it! Even I am
>guilty of neglect!
>
>You gave me options. My impulse is to tell you to use boxes of plywood,
>and get the best wood sealing product you can from a paint store to seal all
>surfaces. Don't guess. Ask the store's expert which is the best product
>to seal wood so it will not off-gas and damage textiles. We are a
>international group, and the product will vary by country.
>
>You should also have a lace pillow cover cloth that can be pinned with
>corsage pins directly over your lace and bobbins. A large white dinner
>napkin
>will do the job. This helps prevent big spills that disorganize your
>bobbins.
>
>If you do not put your lace pillows in a box, do you have individual
>fabric covers for each of your pillows? They look like large shower caps --
>big
>circles, with elastic around the edges. Don't skimp on measurements, or
>it will be difficult to stretch the elastic to put on and remove them. They
>hold everything firmly, so when you tip the pillow to put it in a tote
>bag, the bobbins will stay in place.
>
>The rack you describe would seem to be alright. But it must be draped
>with fabric to protect from dust, insects, dog hair, cooking smoke, etc. if
>you do not have individual lace pillow fabric covers that can be washed.
>
>Frequency of inspection depends on lifestyle and climate, Lyn.
>
>Jeri Ames in Maine USA
>Lace and Embroidery Resource Center
>--------------------------------------------------------
>
>In a message dated 8/13/2011 2:13:32 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
>[email protected] writes:
>
>Dear Jeri,
>You are a treasure trove of invaluable information. So I think I hear you
>saying that a holder made of unbleached washed and well rinsed muslin,
>possibly 3 layers, would protect the pillows from off-gassing of acids. I
>was
>considering making individual plywood boxes to store my pillows instead of
>the corrugated cardboard boxes I use now. Is this a good idea? Or is the
>pillow storage stack that we can purchase, wood, with arms to hold the
>pillow virtually in the air a better option? Will either the plywood or
>corrugated cardboard work better if they are regularly opened? If so, how
>often
>would you suggest? Is this actually a case for keeping the pillows
>ventilated at all times while protecting them from dust, assuming a
>relatively
>unpolluted environment?
>
>Lyn in Lancaster Pennsylvania, where the weather is cloudy, the rain has
>passed, 77F, 17.5C, fairly cool for August at 2 p.m.. But the car is
>packed, and we aren't leaving until tomorrow after church for 2 weeks camping
>with a Newfoundland dog in a tent in Maine. I am so proud of us!
>-----------------------------------
>-----Original Message-----
>>From: [email protected]
>>Sent: Aug 13, 2011 10:49 AM
>>To: [email protected]
>>Subject: [lace] Pillow holder - conservation concerns
>>
>>Dear Lace Pillow Storers,
>>
>>
>>The moral of all this is to *not store your in-use pillows for long
>periods
>> of time*!!!! The always busy lacemakers of the 19th C. and before did
>>not have this problem, even in their damp and cold home environments.
>Their
>>inventory was one lace pillow - always in use.
>>
>>You are busy women, happily trying different types of laces, with a
>>variety of styles of pillows and bobbins.
>>
>>Please keep in mind what happens to your supplies when they are put
>away!
>>One way is to write reminders on your yearly calendar to check them on a
>
>>regular basis, say every 3 months. (I'm assuming you keep a yearly
>calendar
>>for all your engagements and such household activities, because it is a
>>good thing to do.)
>>
>>Happy lacemaking, Jeri
>>
>
>-
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