Control exposure to light
Never place the Fabric Art in direct sunlight. Ultraviolet light fades the fabric art quilt and hastens decay.
Adding UV filters to windows eliminates the most damaging rays.
Artificial light sources need UV filters.
Closing blinds or drapes is a wise. When it comes to light, less is truly better in this instance.
Electric light sources should be at least 18" away. Incandescent light is preferred over fluorescent bulbs, which produce ultraviolet light.
Light damage can be reduced by using ultraviolet-filtering glazing on windows and light fixtures.
The preservation purpose of a window mat or spacer is to prevent contact between the glass and fabric art quilt.
Spacers between the mat and the glass reduce the likelihood of the fabric art quilt coming into contact with the glass. Spacers should be either sealed wood strips or acid-free mat board.
Although matting a textile is optional, if used mat board must be 100% rag for conservation or museum use, and both acid and lignin free. Be sure the product was manufactured to meet preservation standards.
Select mats without an alkaline reserve or buffering agent. These products’ pH is too high for textile items
Poor quality mats damage the fabric art quilt they are supposed to enhance and protect.
The most common damage is dark yellow staining, particularly around the edges of the window mat framing the picture. Known as “mat burn,” the stain is caused by migration of acidic components in the board.
Plastic corrugated boards must also be made from chemically inert materials such as polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, polyethylene or some combination. Paper covered foam boards are safe if the facing papers are made to be acid-free and the plastic foam core made from inert materials.
Your fabric quilt should be feather-dusted regularly. Once or twice a year you should carefully/gently vacuum the material, front and back, with your vacuum cleaner hose attachment (if not framed under glass).
Do not use Scotch guard type products; they may have a deteriorating affect on your fabric art.