How to Properly Store and Organise Your Tapestry
After 10 years of needlepoint, I've finally found the perfect storage system.
Before, my pieces were piled in a cupboard. The bottom of the pile gathered dust. Colours faded. One day, I took out a cushion embroidered three years earlier — DMC 742 (orange) had turned pale yellow. Disaster.
I changed everything. Here's what works.
La règle des trois ennemis
Tapestry storage comes down to fighting three things:
- Light — it fades DMC colours in months
- Humidity — above 65 %, mould attacks the wool
- Insects — moths love Laine Colbert
A piece stored in an iron chest, away from light, with a sachet of lavender — it can last a century.
Cleaning a Tapestry Before Storage
Never store a dirty piece. Microscopic dirt becomes permanent over time.
Before storage:
- Gently brush with a tapestry brush
- If needed, use Terre de Sommières (8.90 EUR)
- Wait 48 hours after cleaning before storing
I once stored a tapestry without cleaning it. Result: yellow stains appeared three years later on DMC 3865. I could never remove them completely. For more, see our guide on How to Clean Your Old Tapestry Without Damaging It.
For a complete guide, read my article on cleaning a tapestry — the step-by-step protocol.
Storage Supports
Flat (recommended method)
For pieces smaller than 50 x 50 cm:
- Slip the tapestry between two sheets of acid-free tissue paper
- Place in a drawer or flat box
- Don't put anything on top
Flat conservation boxes cost 15.00 to 25.00 EUR from archival supply suppliers.
Rolled (for large formats)
For tapestries larger than 60 cm:
- Roll onto a neutral cardboard tube (minimum 8 cm diameter)
- Interleave tissue paper between layers
- Tie with a cotton ribbon (never an elastic band)
- Store horizontally
An 80 cm tube costs 4.50 EUR. Acid-free tissue paper costs 6.50 EUR per 10-metre roll.
Never Fold
Folding is the slow death of tapestry. Stitches deform, the canvas cracks. I lost a 12 cm border due to a fold held in place by a pile of books for two years. Repairing the tapestry required 8 hours of rework. For more, see our guide on Repairing a Damaged Tapestry: The Right Techniques to Know.
Identifying Your Pieces
I stick a label on each roll with:
- Title of the piece
- Start and end dates
- Dimensions in cm
- DMC threads used (for future touch-ups)
- Recipient if a gift
This habit saved me when my aunt asked for a touch-up on a 2018 piece. I found the references in 30 seconds.
Pattern Ideas Worth Preserving Carefully
Some motifs deserve special attention. My favourite pattern ideas for storage:
- Advent calendars (used one month a year)
- Festive placemats (Easter, Christmas)
- Embroidered family portraits
- Stitch samples
These seasonal pieces spend 11 months out of 12 in storage. Good storage doubles their lifespan. For more, see our guide on Tapestry Pattern Ideas to Decorate Your Home.
Small formats (15 x 15 cm or less) can be stored in individual acid-free plastic sleeves — 1.50 EUR each. I use these for my stitch samples.
Needlepoint vs Print — The Conservation Issue
A recurring debate in our community: needlepoint vs print, which preserves best? The answer is clear: a well-stored DMC wool tapestry lasts for decades. A canvas print, even of good quality, starts yellowing after 5 to 8 years.
UV print pigments are sensitive to oxygen. Laine Colbert DMC, on the other hand, is dyed through and through. The colour runs through the entire thread. Even after 50 years, a well-preserved tapestry retains its vibrancy.
The Needlepoint Benefits include this longevity. Your children will inherit your pieces in near-new condition — if you store them correctly.
Climate Control
Ideally, a storage room with:
- Stable temperature between 18 and 22 °C
- Relative humidity between 45 and 55 %
- Total darkness
In practice, a closed wardrobe in your living room does the job. Avoid attics (too hot) and cellars (too damp).
A hygrometer costs 8.00 EUR. If your level exceeds 65 % for more than a week, invest in a dehumidifier (from 49.00 EUR).
Seasonal Rotation
I've adopted a rotation system: winter tapestries come out in November, summer ones in May. Each piece enjoys the ambient air for a few months a year and returns to rest. This avoids the static humidity of perpetual storage.
My calendar:
- January-March: hibernation of summer pieces
- April-June: spring pieces come out
- July-September: summer-autumn rotation
- October-December: room for Christmas pieces
Collection Inventory
I keep a small notebook with the list of all my stored pieces. Each entry contains the title, dimensions, date, DMC threads used, and storage location. This has saved me many searches. When my sister asked if she could borrow the Easter placemat embroidered in 2019, I knew exactly which box it was in.
An Excel file or a paper notebook — both work. I prefer the notebook because it doesn't run out of battery. It lives in my embroidery box and now contains 43 entries.
Recommended Products
| Product | Price | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|
| Acid-free tissue paper | 6.50 EUR / 10 m | La Droguerie |
| Flat conservation box | 19.90 EUR | Cultura |
| Cardboard tube Ø 10 cm | 4.50 EUR | Art supply store |
| Cotton cover 70 x 70 cm | 12.50 EUR | Atelier du Canevas |
| Digital hygrometer | 8.00 EUR | Amazon |
In total, an investment of less than 50 EUR to protect hundreds of hours of work.
Sources
- DMC France — Care and Conservation Tips
- La Droguerie — Storage Supplies
- Musée des Arts Décoratifs — Textile Conservation Guide
Do you have a photo that deserves a place in your collection? Create your personalised tapestry at MonCanevas.com.