Storage Or Where To Put It

Expanding on today's topic on the Instagram #sewphotohop of storage tips,

I try to do right by the patterns, first of all.

I put all the patterns in acid-free magazine and comic book bags

The envelopes don't get caught on each other this way, and since I already buy them for my comix, I get them in bulk dirt cheap.

It's also easier to fold patterns to that size and put them in with the cover, rather than try to stuff them all back in together again.

Also helps hold the traced pieces.

and I store the best ones waaaay up off the floor

They come in different sizes

Golden age size comics are the biggest  7 1/2 X 10 1/2

Silver Age  7 x 10 

Current Size  6.75 X 10.5

Or you can get magazine sized bags.

They don't have a zipper edge that might rub on the envelope when you pull them out and put them back in, they are cheaper in bulk and the current sized bags fit most patterns (the larger Vogues fit in the Golden age bags).

You can also get appropriately sized storage boxes at the same place.

Don't get the long boxes- they bend and buckle and when full, weigh too much. 

They do fit under a Twin sized bed.....right next to the Captain America collection.

(and don't buy this stuff online. You live near a comic book shop whether you know it or not. The shipping on the boxes will kill you, and that local shop would love your local love).  It also amuses them to talk to folks who are not... their usual clientele. Go ruin their expectations!

Fabric gets folded to the size of the cupboard space. You know how to do that.

I do try to break it up with cardboard 'boxes'

trays (only Costco calls these boxes, thank you) between groups.

There is an organizational theory here, a new one every month, right after the avalanche...

However, where I think I have forged ahead in storage tech is in storing the unfoldables.

The vinyl. 

The pleather.

The nylon.

AKA: the unironables.

Tucked away in the back of the basement, across from the  deep storage for books, they hang on the wall.

They are draped over a long heavy cardboard tube that I ran a cord through, and screwed to the wall on both ends. I can unhook the loop and take it down if I need to. The tube is from Pacific Fabrics upholstery section. Thanks Leah!

Far enough off the floor to be single layers and out of the way.

Yes, they'll need dusting.

I can do that.