Scarves Scarves storage/display and care

[FrenchSandra]

I used this thread for inspiration several years ago and have continued to tweak my system from time to time. I do use the Hollinger windowed archival envelopes recommended by Dressage Queen at the beginning of this thread and referenced by beekmanhill in post #316 above. All mine are the same size: SES91S and EB81 stiffener boards. I often fold the top of an envelope over a ruler to get an extra quarter- to half-inch to fit a scarf that needs extra space.
For the past two years I've been Scarf Mistress for the Hermes Scarf of the Day thread, so I do a LOT of scarf photography. I've set up my collection as a work area with lights on shelves at either side to illuminate the mounted scarf as evenly as possible. White poster board is pinned to the wall so I can photograph scarves on a plain background. I use the H magnetic clips but attach them to map pins so I can move them easily and change sizes (helpful for old scarves that are odd sizes as well as 100, 90, 70, gavs). Scarves stacked to the right are awaiting photos.
Here are some of my modifications:
1) an IKEA shelf to hold the boxes of scarves for easy access
2) I group by scarf sizes: 90, 70, gavroche and odds -- and when I run low on envelopes, I double up the gavroches until I order again.
3) no identification on envelopes -- I just file by major color groups that work for me. Plain envelopes are quicker for refiling after sorting through scarves for photographing details for Scarf of the Day Thread. (Pairing a named envelope to its scarf when you can see the scarf right there is just one step too many for me.) I can also grab a few envelopes and take them into the closet, pull out the one or two that go with my outfit and quickly return the others to the color file.
View attachment 3786614
4) Top left shelf is CSGMs in H boxes -- I keep large moussies in regular H boxes to save room. Middle top row are 90 cm scarves in envelopes simply grouped under tabs of folded pieces of construction paper -- red, pink, orange, light blue, blue, green, turquoise, purple, brown. (Not elegant boxes at present, but you see the size that fits in IKEA space.) Top row right is a wine box holding 70s & gavroches -- some gavs are filed 2 per envelope by color or theme. Bottom right is overflow scarves: not worn much or seasonal. (Other bottom shelves are just orange boxes found at Containers that I use for other storage and a plastic box with paper files. Space is available for scarf envelopes.)
For the record, I keep all my scarves listed on two Excel spreadsheets sorted two ways: color and designer. It's just the way my mind works best, as in senior moments I forget scarf names -- it's easier to go to the designer list and look for the name there.
This looks pretty neat and organized -- now I need a way to file my photos so I can find them quickly!
Oh yes, I painted my office this color (melon, I think) 10 years ago before I started serious scarf collecting.

Such an inspiration for a clever storing. Thanks.

 

[beekmanhill]

I used this thread for inspiration several years ago and have continued to tweak my system from time to time. I do use the Hollinger windowed archival envelopes recommended by Dressage Queen at the beginning of this thread and referenced by beekmanhill in post #316 above. All mine are the same size: SES91S and EB81 stiffener boards. I often fold the top of an envelope over a ruler to get an extra quarter- to half-inch to fit a scarf that needs extra space.
For the past two years I've been Scarf Mistress for the Hermes Scarf of the Day thread, so I do a LOT of scarf photography. I've set up my collection as a work area with lights on shelves at either side to illuminate the mounted scarf as evenly as possible. White poster board is pinned to the wall so I can photograph scarves on a plain background. I use the H magnetic clips but attach them to map pins so I can move them easily and change sizes (helpful for old scarves that are odd sizes as well as 100, 90, 70, gavs). Scarves stacked to the right are awaiting photos.
Here are some of my modifications:
1) an IKEA shelf to hold the boxes of scarves for easy access
2) I group by scarf sizes: 90, 70, gavroche and odds -- and when I run low on envelopes, I double up the gavroches until I order again.
3) no identification on envelopes -- I just file by major color groups that work for me. Plain envelopes are quicker for refiling after sorting through scarves for photographing details for Scarf of the Day Thread. (Pairing a named envelope to its scarf when you can see the scarf right there is just one step too many for me.) I can also grab a few envelopes and take them into the closet, pull out the one or two that go with my outfit and quickly return the others to the color file.
View attachment 3786614
4) Top left shelf is CSGMs in H boxes -- I keep large moussies in regular H boxes to save room. Middle top row are 90 cm scarves in envelopes simply grouped under tabs of folded pieces of construction paper -- red, pink, orange, light blue, blue, green, turquoise, purple, brown. (Not elegant boxes at present, but you see the size that fits in IKEA space.) Top row right is a wine box holding 70s & gavroches -- some gavs are filed 2 per envelope by color or theme. Bottom right is overflow scarves: not worn much or seasonal. (Other bottom shelves are just orange boxes found at Containers that I use for other storage and a plastic box with paper files. Space is available for scarf envelopes.)
For the record, I keep all my scarves listed on two Excel spreadsheets sorted two ways: color and designer. It's just the way my mind works best, as in senior moments I forget scarf names -- it's easier to go to the designer list and look for the name there.
This looks pretty neat and organized -- now I need a way to file my photos so I can find them quickly!
Oh yes, I painted my office this color (melon, I think) 10 years ago before I started serious scarf collecting.

Very impressive collection. I've been intending to make an Excel spreadsheet, and now you've motivated me. I store by color also.

 

[katekluet]

ABQ, I love your scarf wall! It's fabulous! Thank you for a glimpse behind your magic curtain - your flat scarf shots are always so clear and crisp. I love that you can always keep one up on your wall as art as well!

Mine are all still in boxes, most are doubled up in one box. I can't seem to let those boxes go. It's like opening a present every time I wear a scarf. The only thing is I haven't labeled any of them so if I have a specific scarf in mind, it involves opening a lot of boxes!

Just stick a post it on the boxes for labeling...easy and boxes stay intact.

 

[Joannadyne]

Just stick a post it on the boxes for labeling...easy and boxes stay intact.

Haha, and here I was, thinking I'm gonna need a label maker to make perfectly fitted labels across the sides of the boxes. D'oh! Classic overthinking! Yes, I will use post its, thanks!!

 

[ABQ2ATL]

Just stick a post it on the boxes for labeling...easy and boxes stay intact.

Good tip, katekluet! I had a lot of post-its peel off because I'm going through my collection for photos so often, but I just found the "Super Sticky" Post-Its. Some of them are "full adhesive" which makes them great for labels, since you can write several titles and cut across the post-it for narrow boxes. I use these on my orange boxes and they don't damage them.

 

[katekluet]

Haha, and here I was, thinking I'm gonna need a label maker to make perfectly fitted labels across the sides of the boxes. D'oh! Classic overthinking! Yes, I will use post its, thanks!!

Good tip, katekluet! I had a lot of post-its peel off because I'm going through my collection for photos so often, but I just found the "Super Sticky" Post-Its. Some of them are "full adhesive" which makes them great for labels, since you can write several titles and cut across the post-it for narrow boxes. I use these on my orange boxes and they don't damage them.

JoannaD, I was looking at label makers too but didn't want to ruin the boxes if I had to pull them off...
ABQ, great info thank you, I will definitely get that new type of post it and things will look even neater.

 

[ABQ2ATL]

Very impressive collection. I've been intending to make an Excel spreadsheet, and now you've motivated me. I store by color also.

Here's a screenshot of the GM portion of my spreadsheet. The others would be filed by Colorway and/or Designer (2 different spreadsheets with the same data -- just further down on the same page so easier to add a new scarf). Since the GMs are the only scarf type I file in boxes, I included the color codes of my Super Sticky Post-It labels. These are just the categories that work for me -- very OCD color-oriented, i fear.


The Post-Its are perfect, as one can change things at will -- I see that the pale blue and lavender are too much alike, so I'll have to do something about that. Nice to be able to find categories when scarves are filed in different-sized boxes (only one of my mousse GMs needs a shawl box, for example). And no tag on Bains d'Hermes, as it's currently on walkabout somewhere in my office.

 

[Belphoebe]

Haha, and here I was, thinking I'm gonna need a label maker to make perfectly fitted labels across the sides of the boxes. D'oh! Classic overthinking! Yes, I will use post its, thanks!!

JoannaD, I was looking at label makers too but didn't want to ruin the boxes if I had to pull them off...
ABQ, great info thank you, I will definitely get that new type of post it and things will look even neater.

Here's a screenshot of the GM portion of my spreadsheet. The others would be filed by Colorway and/or Designer (2 different spreadsheets with the same data -- just further down on the same page so easier to add a new scarf). Since the GMs are the only scarf type I file in boxes, I included the color codes of my Super Sticky Post-It labels. These are just the categories that work for me -- very OCD color-oriented, i fear.

The Post-Its are perfect, as one can change things at will -- I see that the pale blue and lavender are too much alike, so I'll have to do something about that. Nice to be able to find categories when scarves are filed in different-sized boxes (only one of my mousse GMs needs a shawl box, for example). And no tag on Bains d'Hermes, as it's currently on walkabout somewhere in my office.

You guys. I have been dying to ask about this for years, but I didn't want to look like a codependent label weirdo. Now I can out myself by saying THANK YOU, this is exactly what I wanted to know.

 

[beekmanhill]

Here's a screenshot of the GM portion of my spreadsheet. The others would be filed by Colorway and/or Designer (2 different spreadsheets with the same data -- just further down on the same page so easier to add a new scarf). Since the GMs are the only scarf type I file in boxes, I included the color codes of my Super Sticky Post-It labels. These are just the categories that work for me -- very OCD color-oriented, i fear.
View attachment 3788531
View attachment 3788536
The Post-Its are perfect, as one can change things at will -- I see that the pale blue and lavender are too much alike, so I'll have to do something about that. Nice to be able to find categories when scarves are filed in different-sized boxes (only one of my mousse GMs needs a shawl box, for example). And no tag on Bains d'Hermes, as it's currently on walkabout somewhere in my office.

Thanks for the info with pics. Pics are always so helpful.

 

[cavalla]

Here's a screenshot of the GM portion of my spreadsheet. The others would be filed by Colorway and/or Designer (2 different spreadsheets with the same data -- just further down on the same page so easier to add a new scarf). Since the GMs are the only scarf type I file in boxes, I included the color codes of my Super Sticky Post-It labels. These are just the categories that work for me -- very OCD color-oriented, i fear.
View attachment 3788531
View attachment 3788536
The Post-Its are perfect, as one can change things at will -- I see that the pale blue and lavender are too much alike, so I'll have to do something about that. Nice to be able to find categories when scarves are filed in different-sized boxes (only one of my mousse GMs needs a shawl box, for example). And no tag on Bains d'Hermes, as it's currently on walkabout somewhere in my office.

Thank you for sharing your spread sheet. It's a great idea to write the color codes in the color. It makes it easy to associate to the color theme of the scarves.

I would like to share my experiences with my label makers. I didn't buy my label makers just for the scarves. I use them for a lot of stuff around the house and in office. On my pasta / rice / grain / spice containers, on our never know which switch is for which light switches, on my make up brushes, on those cables under the desk etc. I reach for my label makers very often. I have to tell you guys, this label maker companies are serious about their products! There are all kinds of labels you can choose from, different sizes (tape and font and style), different background and letter colors (too bad they don't have orange background "yet" but almost all other colors on the rainbow), different materials, super adhesive ones even when bent for cables, and guess what? Acid-free tape as well. So I have all different tapes for different purposes. I think you already know which tape I use for my scarves. And I want to say that the quality of tape these days is quite good. They don't leave any residue on the surface when you take it off even after years and most of the time is reusable. I'm addicted to my label makers and yes I have more than one because I couldn't stand the thought if my one and only ever breaks when I need it, so I got a back up.

 

[Genie27]

Thank you for sharing your spread sheet. It's a great idea to write the color codes in the color. It makes it easy to associate to the color theme of the scarves.

I would like to share my experiences with my label makers. I didn't buy my label makers just for the scarves. I use them for a lot of stuff around the house and in office. On my pasta / rice / grain / spice containers, on our never know which switch is for which light switches, on my make up brushes, on those cables under the desk etc. I reach for my label makers very often. I have to tell you guys, this label maker companies are serious about their products! There are all kinds of labels you can choose from, different sizes (tape and font and style), different background and letter colors (too bad they don't have orange background "yet" but almost all other colors on the rainbow), different materials, super adhesive ones even when bent for cables, and guess what? Acid-free tape as well. So I have all different tapes for different purposes. I think you already know which tape I use for my scarves. And I want to say that the quality of tape these days is quite good. They don't leave any residue on the surface when you take it off even after years and most of the time is reusable. I'm addicted to my label makers and yes I have more than one because I couldn't stand the thought if my one and only ever breaks when I need it, so I got a back up.

It sounds like my brother P-touch. When I was in the organization zone, I labelled everything.

 

[cavalla]

It sounds like my brother P-touch. When I was in the organization zone, I labelled everything.

bingo!

 

[Genie27]

brother P-touch

giggle snort...I have the mind of a 9 year old boy.

 

[Cookiefiend]

Thank you for sharing your spread sheet. It's a great idea to write the color codes in the color. It makes it easy to associate to the color theme of the scarves.

I would like to share my experiences with my label makers. I didn't buy my label makers just for the scarves. I use them for a lot of stuff around the house and in office. On my pasta / rice / grain / spice containers, on our never know which switch is for which light switches, on my make up brushes, on those cables under the desk etc. I reach for my label makers very often. I have to tell you guys, this label maker companies are serious about their products! There are all kinds of labels you can choose from, different sizes (tape and font and style), different background and letter colors (too bad they don't have orange background "yet" but almost all other colors on the rainbow), different materials, super adhesive ones even when bent for cables, and guess what? Acid-free tape as well. So I have all different tapes for different purposes. I think you already know which tape I use for my scarves. And I want to say that the quality of tape these days is quite good. They don't leave any residue on the surface when you take it off even after years and most of the time is reusable. I'm addicted to my label makers and yes I have more than one because I couldn't stand the thought if my one and only ever breaks when I need it, so I got a back up.

I have a Dymo label maker - until now only used in the cellar - now to be also used for my scarves!
Multi-tasking for the win!

I found this today and I'm giving it a whirl.

I think I will label the drawers!
If it doesn't work the way I hope, it's onto the envelopes - I've got 20 on the way.

 

[Joannadyne]

Thank you for sharing your spread sheet. It's a great idea to write the color codes in the color. It makes it easy to associate to the color theme of the scarves.

I would like to share my experiences with my label makers. I didn't buy my label makers just for the scarves. I use them for a lot of stuff around the house and in office. On my pasta / rice / grain / spice containers, on our never know which switch is for which light switches, on my make up brushes, on those cables under the desk etc. I reach for my label makers very often. I have to tell you guys, this label maker companies are serious about their products! There are all kinds of labels you can choose from, different sizes (tape and font and style), different background and letter colors (too bad they don't have orange background "yet" but almost all other colors on the rainbow), different materials, super adhesive ones even when bent for cables, and guess what? Acid-free tape as well. So I have all different tapes for different purposes. I think you already know which tape I use for my scarves. And I want to say that the quality of tape these days is quite good. They don't leave any residue on the surface when you take it off even after years and most of the time is reusable. I'm addicted to my label makers and yes I have more than one because I couldn't stand the thought if my one and only ever breaks when I need it, so I got a back up.

I was always fascinated by label makers as a kid. What you described sounds like a slippery label making slope!