Replies

1. 
   SewTruTerry | Sep 20, 2005 03:57pm | #1

   I would suggest that you take the dress to a reputable dry cleaners and tell them that you want it cleaned and packed for storage and they should be able to handle the rest.  The charge should be nominal compared to your stressing about the folding and finding the paper and all.  But to answer your question have you looked at your local historical society they may have the answers to where you can find the paper that you are looking for and/or sell it to you.

2. 
   ixs | Sep 25, 2005 09:54pm | #2

   I collect antique clothing, so I have read lots about archival storage.  You can search on the internet for archival supplies and buy tissue paper in sheets.  You can also find archival boxes; they are pricey but necessary.  

   The garment should be folded as little as possible and supported in all areas with tissue paper, including stuffing areas of the garment.  Do not use any plastic.  And I have read that articles that are stored should be refolded on a regular basis.   Keep the garment in an area where people are living, not in an attic or basement.  

   However, I have been married 40 years and have my original wedding dress just hanging in my upstairs.  So I have broken all the rules, but sometimes neglect isn't all bad. 

1. 
   rekha | Oct 04, 2005 12:20am | #4

   I am using acid-free paper albeit for watercolour painting, so I assume that art shops will carry tissue paper that is acid-free as well.

3. 
   PLW1017 | Oct 03, 2005 06:30pm | #3

   Londa carries packages of acid free paper on her site.  Look under special notions:  http://londas-sewing.com/

   Peggy

4. 
   Josefly | Oct 04, 2005 12:33am | #5

   Are you anywhere near a Containers store? They carry packages of sheets of acid-free tissue as well as acid-free cardboard storage boxes in many sizes.

5. 
   mygaley | Oct 09, 2005 05:29am | #6

   Our local chain crafts stores now carry acid-free tissue paper.  The first time I needed it, I found it at the local QUILT store.  Re cleaner packing of wedding dresses, I saw on tv that the guarantee on the dress was only good if the original packer opened the container.  I checked  a friend's dress packed in a cardboard box and the receipt that came with it verified this information.  I checked another dress that was  packed in a vinyl-type bag with helium reportedly in it(?).  The instructions printed on that bag also verified this.  I'm not saying they don't do a good job, but 1.  have some way to tell if it is indeed your garment in the container and 2.  what are the terms of the guarantee.

1. 
   fashionlizard | Oct 27, 2005 12:25am | #8

   Any bag packed with helium would not have helium in it for very long! Helium is hard to keep captive. It would eventually diffuse through the plastic even if you had a decently sealed bag. The only reason I can imagine for packing clothing into a bag that is back-filled with an inert gas is to keep insect eggs from hatching, or kill any larvae present without using chemicals. Dry nitrogen would work just as well and is waaay cheaper. I have used that technique for storing rice and flour for an extended time. Meal moths and other insects won't survive without oxygen, so filling the bag with nitrogen or other inert gas will kill them. Basically, you are displacing all of the oxygen.

6. 
   kmm410 | Oct 11, 2005 04:16am | #7

   Go to Adorama.com. They are a photographer's archival supply company. (I take a lot of photos) They sell packages of larger sheets, 30 x 40. You get a package of 12 for $7.95. That's the cheapest I've ever seen it. Hope that helps,

   Karen