Garment care question

[Wickedvox]

So, with much reluctance and sadness I have to pack my garb away--school has started So I'm wondering how to store my corset. How do you all store yours? I'm thinking of making a simple, large, cotton drawstring bag to roll it up in and hang from a hanger. It's the first one I've ever made or owned and have no idea on safe storage techniques. Ideas, suggestions?

[isabelladangelo]

Body containers.  Some people call them tubberware containers but, really, they are big enough to fit a body -which means they are big enough to fit all your garb you might wear!   

Since they are waterproof, that helps a lot if you want to store them in a basement, shed, or other "eh" type place.  They are stackable.   They are cheap.  And they come in pretty colors.   There are clear ones so you can see what is in it.

Since you plan to store the items for a while, put a bit of real lavender in the containers.   It will keep any moths far away but also make your clothing smell nice.

[Adriana Rose]

For my Victorians I roll them up with the decorated fabric up so the lining is the exposed fabric and then into a tote with all my other bodices.
The bodices are cleaned and then put in the tote with my good ol' stand by a cloth bag filled with lavender. It is an anti bactrial and it keeps the buggies out if I get a brave one that wants to venture out.

[gem]

We store all the garb we don't hang in a giant toy chest from Milord's childhood.  But if I was just storing one or two pieces... my corsets would all fit in drawers (if I had an empty drawer, that is!).

[Wickedvox]

Thanks ladies! I didn't think about buggies *ew* Great ideas!

[Orphena]

We hang ours in the spare garb room. Heavy duty hangers, dress protectors (those heavy duty garment bags that you can get at the dollar- just dont get the thin ones!), clothes pins, every bag labelled with what is inside. Any stockings, shoes, accessories, etc. go in rubbermade tubs, again labelled by era. Hats I hang up (if possible) on the wall.

[Capt Gabriela Fullpepper]

UI have an old Captains chest that houses all of my garb. it is to small now though to house all of my garb.

[Kate XXXXXX]

I get all mine dry cleaned or wash it, and hang it in light and dust proof dress bags on strong hangers.  When we start getting the work done on the house, I'll carefully pack it in vacuum bags, suck the sir out, and store them in a chest until the dust has settled and the decorating is finished.  When I next want to wear it, anything too crumpled to hang out will go to the cleaners for a spin in their steaming cabinet.

[Lady Rebecca]

I use mine somewhat often, since I don't have any one season for my various eras of garb (and I use the undergarments on my dress form when I'm making other outfits), so mine don't go into any real storage. I have a coated metal "laundry cart" from Walmart that holds all of my various undergarments (corsets, chemises, bloomers, etc). And my stays (which are longer than the cart) go flat on the top shelf of the closet until I use them next. But again, nothing of mine seems to sit still for more than a month.

[DonaCatalina]

I store my corsets flat at the botoom of my undergarment drawer. But like many others have mentioned, mine doesn't stay put for more than a few months.

[Betty Munro]

I use underbed plastic storage.  Have stored some garb for over 10 years.  I lay the corsets flat and roll the skirts and chemises.  Since it is under MY bed, I don't have an issue with bugs, (Thank you Orkin Man!).  I wouldn't store my garb in a shed (Mice and Rats would just LOVE to make a nest in a cozy chemise and sharpen their teeth on corset bones.)  The attic is too hot and will damage your garb. 
Love the tip for lavender.  I just hate when my garb smells like moth balls. 

[Adriana Rose]

It it very nice! You can get the dried lavender at health food stores or online of course

[Sitara]

Does anyone use any other herbs to store their garb with? I cannot use lavender as I am highly allergic but would appreciate some other nice smelling/anti-bug type sachet.

[isabelladangelo]

Does anyone use any other herbs to store their garb with? I cannot use lavender as I am highly allergic but would appreciate some other nice smelling/anti-bug type sachet.

Unfortunately, Lavender is the only one I've heard of working.   It's either lavender or moth balls.

[bellalye]

Sitara, this is from ehow.com

"Mint
Mint is the common name of the Mentha species and is a member of the Labiatae family. Mint leaves are added to sachets to add fragrance to the air. Mint leaves are also used as an insect deterrent.

Geranium Leaves
Geranium is the common name of the Pelargonium species and is a member of the Geraniaceae family. Leaves, which are hairy, toothed and lobed are also scented. Crushed dried leaves are added to sachets for household fragrance. The dried leaves are also used in sachets as an insect repellent.

For Insect Prevention
The best herbs to use in sachets for insect prevention depends on the type of insect being repelled. To ward off flies, use bay leaves, eucalyptus, cloves and basil. For flea prevention use lavender, eucalyptus, mint, cedar, pennroyal, citrus, citronella, lemongrass and rue. To prevent moths, use lavender, sage, ginseng, rosemary, rose petals, vetiver, cloves, mint and thyme.

Read more: The Best Herbs for Sachets | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8353314_herbs-sachets.html#ixzz1Wlh81xX8"

I hope it helps

[Sitara]

Thanks Bellalye! I have several of those in my herb garden already...I shall smell delicious!

[Syrilla]

Mine are thrown in my faire parts bin.     I'm sure not the best, but once it's clean and dry, there doesn't seem much point in being delicate with all the stress it goes throw with wearing.

[Adriana Rose]

Make sure the herbs are DRY!
For pest repelling herbs there are more

Peppermint- for some reason they cannot stand it
Calandula aka Marigold- sam reason not as pretty smelling as peppermint but hey it does the job ( great in the garden to keep ants away too)

Back to the thread

I am with Syrilla my stuff gets put into bins and stored for the year, my stuff gets beat up no reason to be nice to it in storage other than making sure its clean. My bodices have the same thing but a tad nicer because they are rather pricey.