How do you store your garb?

[ShawnMarie]

Hi everyone, you've got a really new person here who (after amassing bunches of patterns and fabric) has realized she has no available room to store all this garb I'm going to make!!! :shock:

Can anyone share some wonderful tips on how to store your stuff when you don't have a lot of space (no closets definitely) or just store it in general?

I don't want to spend all this time sewing and not take pretty good care of this stuff.

Also, any tips on washing??? As it stands now I'll be doing cotton muslin for chemises, dark cottons for skirts and who knows what for my bodices. . .

Thanks ladies!!

ShawnMarie
Waiting for something exciting to put in my siggy line

[Kiza]

When I had closet space, I kept it all hanging up. (Things like shoes, my hat and dagger, etc lived either on top of a trunk in my closet or a dresser drawer.) Now that I've moved and have no storage space, I'm facing much the same problem you are - no place to put this stuff!! Plastic bins that I can shove under my bed or sewing table work well to keep it from getting messed up (and pet-hair free). And I've inherited an armoire that shrinks my bedroom but provides some much needed closet space. It's earmarked for nothing but garb, fabric and misc costumes. For patterns and sewing supplies, I have one of those big fabric-store pattern drawer things. Mom found it at a craft store that was closing and now it lives at my house. It weighs a ton and is really fugly, but is only about the size of a dresser, and a coat of spray paint will make it beautiful when I finally get around to it . . .

Best of luck solving your storage problems!

Kiza

[Cassandra]

I am the opposite of Kiza. Right now we use big plastic tubs (less than $10 from Bed, Bath and Beyond and in pretty colors). We are moving (the movers are coming on Monday . . . . ack!) to a place with more closet space so I will be able to hang things and the bins will be used for all of the accessories I have amassed.

[Tempest_Gypsy]

I use the big forty gallon tupperware/plastic tub thingies and fold it nicely. When I take it out, I know I'm going to have to either toss it in the dryer with a wet towel or hang it in the bathroom and take a looooong hoooooot shower. (I despise irons)
As for my accesoories, they're all over the place, and I kind of like that. My pirate hat is hanging on my bookshelf, I use my belt for everyday use, eating knife is in the silverware drawer, also gets used. Pins in my jewelry box, favor carrier in the random-shite drawer, tankard in with my other cups (also gets regular use), tankard carrier and old belt pouch in another drawer and my tail hung on my bedroom door. Oh, and bodice dagger on a shelf over my bed. That one ALWAYS gets comments.
Having it all scattered around like that keeps me cheerful. I can be having a shite day, come home, get something to drink out of my tankard and think, "It's okay, faire is soon and then I get to play." Besides I like the atmosphere it gives my apartment.

[Bonnie]

LOL! Much the same as I!

My tail is hanging from my bow-rack, as is my leather mug and belt pouch...my pucking rat sits atop my computer desk, my dice bag hangs on a peg, my cast iron utensils and silver flask hang in my kitchen, and my cupboards are cluttered with pewter mugs and treenware I use while at faire. (need either more treenware or more pewter in order to make six full place settings at the table)

[Megan Campbell of Feather]

I use the empty suitcase. It stores Corde's and my garb nicely and a nice way to fill an empty suitcase. My house is very small and no closet space.

[Mermaid]

I use the big plastic tubs from Walmart--I think I have 3 with garb and 1 for accessories, which are in either small tubs or shoeboxes in the big one. A good shake and airing on the clothesline is all I've needed for any of the garb. My straw hats are stored, my leather hats are on the hat rack on the wall......my floggers and lovely sheepskin lined leather cuffs are also on the hatrack......and my mermaid dagger is on a shelf, but I'm looking for a way to display her!

I have several more tubs with fabric, and trim and patterns--that way, when I find Walmart $1/yard fabric and I buy it just because, I can put it in a place I'll find it when I'm ready to start sewing!

Mermaid

[Isabelle Warwicke]

Let's hear it for Rubbermaid and Sterilite!! Hip Hip HUZZAH!!
Big plastic tubs seem to be the choice for storing garb. I use them..I have four now, I think. I fold everything nicely and layer it with paper wrapped cedar blocks. When I travel, I use one of the tubs to transport garb in. I have one of those nifty little rolling suitcase carriers that folds up and straps nicely to the top of the tub when not in use.
My main reason for using those kinds of tubs are also for preservation purposes. I live in a 135 year old farm house that tend to have a rodent problem in the winter, when my garb is tucked away for the non-season. I lost a chemise due to chew-age...nasty. The tubs have stopped that issue from happening. They also protect against flood damage if you get the waterproof rubbermaid ones.
It's almost time for me to unpack and give the garb a once over. Faire season in Chicago draws near.

[lauradake]

Can anyone share some wonderful tips on how to store your stuff when you don't have a lot of space (no closets definitely) or just store it in general?

As terrible as this sounds... Is tore all my garb in a big cardboard box in the middle of my bedroom floor. Sad, ain't it?

The only exception is my Pendragon bodice and chainmail top/belt--they're hanging in my coat closet so they don't rub off on the other garb. (The chainmail is alumninum, and the Pendragon one of the suede ones... I don't want the rest of my garb to smell like leather)

[Ysobelle]

... I don't want the rest of my garb to smell like leather)



My G-d-- why not?



Mmmmmm, leather!


Ahem. Sorry.

[lauradake]

... I don't want the rest of my garb to smell like leather)
My G-d-- why not?
Mmmmmm, leather!
Ahem. Sorry.

You know, when you put it like that.... I really DON'T know why I store the Pendragon seprately.

I guess I"m just a freak.

But I'm a cute freak? Does that count?

(Can't type... shoulders sore... did long-distance forwrd breakfalls at Aikido tonight... owie...)

[Beatriz]

Having just this weekend moved to new (and smaller!) digs, I solved the lack of closet space for garb with ruthless determination. I pawed thru the stuff in the closet, found things I haven't worn in a year and piled them up in a box to take to a consignment shop, thus creating valuable space for bodices, chemise and skirts, as well as (hopefully) earning a few $$ for more garb.

Some of my accessories are piled in a lovely hat box which hides 'em in plain site. Others are scattered around the house: pirate feastware on the mantle, mug used for every day drinking. My garb making supplies and other crafty stuff are in an ancient trunk that used to be my toy chest as a child.

In terms of finding practical space, take a good look around you. Are you saving things that can be disposed of? Given away? Stored elsewhere? Perhaps you can shift stuff around to make room for your garb.

Washing tips: If you are using washable fabrics, then by all means toss your garb (except the bodices!) into the washing machine. Dark colors may fade, although with today's color guard detergents, probably not as much as you'd think. Before you begin sewing, wash your fabrics with a color-fade prevenative. The huge fabric warehouse here in town sells the stuff, I can't think of what it's called--but after a full year of near contant wearing, my black skirt is the same color as the scraps off the bolt.

I toss my bodice into the dryer every so often in one of those at home dry cleaning bags on the lowest setting. I also shorten the time on the directions by several minutes. So far, no problems.