Dear Alice, It depends on the environment where acid free boxes are stored as to how long they "last". This differs, depending on many local conditions. Mine are still fine after 12 years. The way to test the acid content of a box is with the pen we have discussed many times on Arachne. Test the inside of box, as that is what really matters. My supplier is Light Impressions in New York State, It is product #2396. It contains what looks like blue ink. You make a small mark on the box (or on paper used to wrap lace) and if it turns yellow, there is high acid content. If it turns green, there is some acid content. If it stays blue, it is acid free. Once you know what the pen looks like, and can print out the information to show shopkeepers, you may find it closer to your home. _http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/_ (http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/) Product #2396 Now that I've told you how to use the pen, you know this means that the paper we wrap laces in may last a lot longer than the one year you stated in your message! Muslin is good, but must be free of all modern soaps and other additives, bleach, starch. Pillowcases must not contain hair product residue or the oils from hair/skin. If you use old muslin, wash in Orvus and rinse in distilled water before using. ------------------------------------------------------------- Newbies: Please, if you see product names in this memo, go to our archive and look for what has been written in the past about conservation practices and products: _http://www.mail-archive.com/lace@arachne.com/index.html_ (http://www.mail-archive.com/lace@arachne.com/index.html)
------------------------------------------------------------- Last summer I (Jeri) attended a lecture by a Curator from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She stunned me by saying that she has stopped using the paper, because it has a drying effect on textiles. But, remember that the museum has all textiles in storage in very controlled temperature/humidity conditions (which most lacemakers do not have at home). They usually lay laces in shallow drawers or boxes, not on top of one another. Alice, you live in a part of the world that gets much rain, and I do not think it will have impact if you use the paper. People in dry climates might want to consult the major museum in their country that has a lace collection to see what they recommend. Honestly, every day we learn something new, and have to make disclaimers. I am still using the paper in Maine, which has a mixed climate so far as humidity is concerned. I doubt if many of us have laces as fragile as those in the great museums. This was a curator used to working with textiles 500-plus years old! Please remember I always say to check your laces that are in storage boxes on a regular basis. Put it on your calendar as something to do annually or more often (depending on your personal home climate situation) Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center --------------------------------------------------------- In a message dated 1/25/2010 6:13:44 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, lacel...@verizon.net writes: I'm not an expert, but here's some things I've been learning about storing things. A suggestion....Wrap the dress in well washed muslin (USA term) rather than tissue. It's plain white/cream cotton fabric. Do you call it calico? A well used, clean sheet might work. Muslin bags is what some museums use for storing textiles. The advantage of using fabric is that it can be washed to refresh it from acid accumulations. The acid free tissue paper is good for only a year or less. It starts absorbing acid from the atmosphere as soon as it is exposed, and gradually loses it's acid free status and has to be replaced. The dress should be aired and repacked occasionally -- maybe yearly. Wash the muslin wrap. Repack with the dress folded differently so the folds are not always in the same part of the dress fabric. I haven't heard anyone say how long the acid free boxes withstand the acid in the atmosphere before they need to be changed. Anybody know? Alice in Oregon -- where our non-stop rain is supposed to ease off for a few nice days this week. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
