How to Properly Store Needlepoint

Use a trunk to store needlepoint

Hand-painted needlepoint canvas threads can warp, split and break away if not stored properly, thus making it difficult to stitch correctly. Moreover, finished needlepoint pieces can be ruined by improper care and inadequate preservation. You don't need to be a museum conservator to know how to properly store and protect needlepoint. Even a novice can safeguard hand-painted canvases and finished needlepoint by carefully packing them away using ordinary storage materials and a few familiar household items.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Assorted needlepoint
• Hand-held vacuum cleaner
• Fine netting
• Chest of drawers
• Assorted cardboard storage boxes
• Storage trunks
• Acid-free tissue paper
• Cardboard mailing tubes
• Non-adhesive paper tags with string

1. Gather together the needlepoint you plan to store and sort into five groups: small, medium, large, over-sized, and heavy.

2. Remove any needlepoint that has been mounted on stretcher bars or scroll frames. Take out tapestry needles and small magnets. If the needlepoint has been partially worked, make a running stitch of each thread used for the design in the blank area of the selvage edge of the canvas.

3. Prepare each piece of needlepoint for storage by cleaning it with a handheld vacuum cleaner. Place a piece of fine netting over the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner and gently run it over the surface of the canvas. For finished needlepoint, hold the vacuum slightly above the needlepoint to keep from damaging the stitches.

4. Pack individually in drawers, cardboard storage boxes, or trunks lined with acid-free tissue paper and according to the five groups. Store the needlepoint pieces flat on top of each other with several sheets of tissue paper in between each item. Avoid over-packing.

5. Store over-sized items that do not fit in a drawer or box in mailing tubes wrapped with acid-free tissue paper. Place the tissue on both sides of the needlepoint. With the right side facing out, loosely roll the prepared needlepoint to fit in the mailing tube. Use one item per mailing tube. Store flat on a closet shelf or in a trunk to avoid damage from sliding when standing on end.

6. Wrap needlepoint items separately that have embellishments and surface decorations. Place extra tissue paper padding around the embellishment before wrapping the entire piece of needlepoint.

7. Write the name and description on a non-adhesive paper tag for each piece and attach it with string to the edge of the wrapped needlepoint. Make a list of all items in storage and where they can be found.

8. Cover the wrapped needlepoint with a clean sheet or large lint-free cloth before placing the lid on the box, or closing the drawer or trunk.

9. Place the trunk, chest of drawers or cardboard boxes in a cool, dry and dark place that has a constant temperature. Choose an area that gets little or no traffic or disturbance.

Tips & Warnings

• Wrap threads and fibers being used in an ongoing project individually with acid-free tissue paper and place in a separate container for storage. Label with the name of the needlepoint project.

• Check the storage drawers, boxes and trunks at least annually for damage from insects, dust or humidity.

• Do not use adhesive tape to bind the tissue paper or attach the paper tags. Over time the residue from the adhesive will seep through the tissue and damage the needlepoint.

• Do not use plastic bags to store needlepoint canvas or threads.

• Do not use rubber bands to secure items for storage. They can leave a mark on the canvas and damage the canvas threads.

References

• "The Care & Preservation of Textiles"; Karen French & Greta Putnam; 1985
• "Needlepoint From Start to Finish"; Kim Cool & Iona Dettelbach; 1992

Resources

• 4 Ways to Care for Bargello Needlepoint