Storing your stock...

LorrelMae

LorrelMae

Registered Guest
How do you store yours? Anyone have some suggestions?

I have a rack in the garage but it won't hold too much more weight, and my closets inside are jam packed!

I am considering building something more permanent in the garage, and enclosed. (Preferably cedar lined.) Besides, I'd have to fight over garage space! My partner needs it as much as I do!

(Sorry if this issue has been brought up before, I did a search and nothing came up.)

Thank you!

Sandi
 
I would be careful about the garage. Even in a cedar closet, there is a humidity issue that would be bigger, at least to me, than bugs. Unless you live in a very arid climate, summer humidity can damage certain types of things, not to mention the fumes from the car and other items such as lawn mower exhaust. What about using the space above the shelf/rod in the closet and putting a shelving system up there to hold foldable items like sweaters, and accessories like shoes? Typically, the standard ceiling height is 8', so you probably have a little bit of room up there. The other alternative is creating a dual rod system where you half the closet you have a full length, but half the closet you install a lower rod so you can have twice the amount of tops, skirts, two piece suits, etc. With looking at different closet organizers you can maximize your space.

Also, those sweater boxes that go under beds are great - maybe not good for stuff that you want to store archivally for years, but for odd shaped accessories, boxes of small loose items, etc, they may be good because they are shallow.
 
I've taken over the guest room...mwhahahaha...and we're getting new furniture in our bedroom, so the old dresser becomes mine - I mean the guest rooms lol. I have cedar blocks kindof strewn around there - oh I've taken over the kitchen closet too :) hehehe my boyfriend is very patient...those are the ones yet to be photo'd - my own personal items I keep in my closet, but the for sale ones I have a system...kitchen closet awaiting photo's, guest room closet awaiting listing, folded with page of listed printed with it - listed...coats and stuff I guess I'll just keep hanging in the closet once I list them...I don't even TRY the garage, I'd have a fight on my hands over that one lol, he's like meh, who cares if I take over ALL the closets in the house, but I took out some tools from my laundry room drawer (it's the laundry room, not the TOOL room!) nope, not worth it, I gave it back to him and told him not to touch anything else lol...But I hear you storage is an issue for sure, thats why I only keep the stuff I LOVE and I'm listing the rest :) good luck!
 
The garments in the garage are hanging in plastic storage bags with cedar blocks inside. Items that I feel are worth more, or delicate, stay inside.

I think I will look more closely at closet organizers. I only have two closets, other than my personal one, to work with. I have a LOT of dresses, that take up most of the space, so I don't think I can do the half rack, in the larger closet.

I forgot about under bed storage! That's a good one!

I think I'm going to have to do a major purge.
 
I agree that the garage is not ideal - and neither are the plastic storage bags! Fabric needs to breathe. Once upon a time I thought I was clever storing my 30 year collection (some of which dates back to the early 18th century) in ziplock bags. Ooh, boy.....when I opened them after a decade many of my previously pristine pretties had caramel "rust" marks on them from humidity.

The cheapest and easiest option is to fold or roll clothes up into a cardboard box and store somewhere away from insects, light or heat. Hanging clothes long term can misshape them to the hanger, or (heaven forbid) wire coathangers can pierce holes in the shoulders. I've seen this all too often, but even good hangers can force clothes out of shape. Of course, hanging is fine for temporary.

I have lots of stock and most of it is packed in boxes in a windowless storeroom. I have over 100 boxes and the stock I'm working with (or selling) is the only stuff that is on hangers. Beware hanging beaded garments too, as the weight of the beads can rip the fabric.

Nicole
 
Most have been hanging for a short time, menswear that I am "rotating" in and out of my antique mall space.

My beaded items are folded in boxes.

I have a couple pieces I recently found, that were hanging for goodness-knows-how-long. I pinned some straps into them, so they would no longer tax the shoulders.

I didn't think the exhaust from my car would do too much harm, with all being covered. I guess I'll have to fold them into boxes for the interim.

Thank you!

Sandi
 
good question, and one all of us face.

i have 3 industrial strength racks, two of which are for longer term storage - out of season things primarily.

the majority of my inventory (except beaded and knits) is hung on them, in enclosed unbleached cotton garment bags. target had them a year or two ago. not sure if they still do but i wouldn't mind having a couple more myself.

if you store in cardboard cartons, it's a good idea to first wrap them in old sheets or pillowcases so they're not touching the cardboard, which has a lot of acid in it. same for cedar. it's wonderful, but shouldn't be touching the garments directly.
 
Oh, you're all so tidy, keeping things in closets and boxes. I just can't achieve out of sight. I have a good sturdy garment rail taking up a big chunk of my bedroom, sigh, which used to be a pretty room once. And boxes, and boxes and more boxes for anything that won't be making it to the shop any time soon. I'm lucky I guess, having a shop, at least things do actually leave the building when they go on sale. I shudder to think what my house would look like if I had an online business.

Off topic, just have to say Joan, those are the most amazing photos on your Etsy site. And fabulous presentation, really beautiful and classy. How do you do that?!
 
i agree, Sarah-Jane, Joan's presentation is beautiful, isn't it??!!! :wub:

i know its more expense, but if you foresee having an abundance of stock continually, AND you would like to "free" up the rest of your closets (and living spaces) you MAY want to consider renting a storage space.
 
OK I will get the award for being the most annal about storage. I have a large cedar lined closet with shelves and racks my brother made it. Really sturdy hanging rods. And now they making cedar panel which are like plywood which are cheaper. The closet is not airtght so it gets air. It is cooler then my office.

I n the closet goes short term items.... In the attic... well aired... I have canvas cases which I have numbered and what is in each case si onmy computer so I can find stuff.... I did this so I dont spend half my time looking for things.....

-Chris
 
Let's see. In the studio I have:

2 long rolling racks on the floor with most meduim length dresses, thes e are 40s - 70s and covered with white sheets for light and dust . Then in one 4' long slozet, all the Victorian - 30s and full length drresses. Almost everything is on padded hangers.

Then in closet number 2, the fragile and very old garments live in acid free boxes, with ladies suits on the short rack above. Beaded dresses, hats and shoes in tissue live in large tupperware tubs above on shelves or stacked in the corner.

If you can do a double rack in a closet, it's great fpr blouses, skirts and ladies suits.

If you can avoid plastic bags, its a very good thing.

If you can use spare dresses drawers, be sure to line them with old sheets.

Hollis
 
Off season items are store in plastic bins. They aren't the kind that seal off all air, so the clothing can breathe.
First I toss a few things into the bottom:
1) a few of those little silica bag thingies that frequently are in the bottom of the boxes when you buy shoes. They keep out moisture.
2.) either a small sachet or a perfumey page from a magazine, or a small cedar block.
Then I put down a layer of fabric - an old tablecloth or scarf (to keep the fabric from touching the smelly stuff.
Then in goes the clothing, nicely folded.
On top, another layer of fabric, then a perfumey magazine sheet. These are in to keep out moths, and the clothing comes out without stinking of perfume because it's not in direct contact with the fabric.
Several years ago I bought a giant bag of chamomile sachets that a local woman had made. These have been wonderful, the scent is very faint and I re-use them over and over again in my bins.
The only things left hanging are coats, covered with vintage cotton tablecloths.
(All of the above makes me sound very organized, which I assure you is not the case!)
I have never had a moth problem.
 
oh, sara-jane, in my case it only *sounds* very tidy, i'm afraid! here in my workroom right now everything's hanging about, willynilly, sigh. one day i'll get it back in order and keep it that way. (famous last words, lol!)

thank you and mary for the compliment on my photos! it's a combination of lighting and photoshoping out the background. unfortunately it's somewhat labor-intensive. i wish i could just point, shoot, rotate, crop and be done.
 
I have a heavy metal rod suspended from the beams in a separate room of my basement / office. I cover the items on the rod with plain white cotton sheets to keep dust off. I keep a dehumidifier running from March til the first good freeze to keep it dry (learned that the hard way). I keep delicates and small items folded in the drawers of dressers - I always seem to find myself bringing home neat vintage dressers so that works well.

I've also started hanging some dresses folded over at the waist on those multi-tiered pants hangers. I can easily see whats there and they take up considerably less space. These are covered with the cotton sheets also.

Of course, that's this week~ I've changed my setup too many times to count, thinking there's got to be a better way~

I also keep cedar "rings" hung
 
Oh, another thing~

Like Eileen, I use old (read stained / damaged vintage) table cloths on EVERTHING - my work table, desk, anything I might set an item on. They can be tossed in the laundry and help keep things from accidentally picking up marks / stains while I'm working~ And they're pretty :wub:
 
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