From country classics to contemporary trends--quilts can be used as a decorative touch to any room. Here are some tips for displaying your treasured collection.
Hang quilts on walls either with a muslin sleeve and brass rod, or Velcro for an all-over flat look.Use your quilt as a table skirt, but be sure to put glass on top to protect it from damage.Armoires are great for storing your quilts decoratively. Try hanging folded quilts over the open doors.
Dining and kitchen tables can be decorated with vibrant quilt pieces. Be sure to protect the pieces from heat or soiling by removing them before eating or placing food on the table.Drape quilts or quilt tops around an unlit candle on dining or occasional tables for a romantic setting.
Delicate quilts can be folded and placed at the foot of a bed or on a chest.
Display colorful quilts rolled or folded in bookcases.
Wing chairs, sofas, and banisters are good for displaying quilts if they are located in rooms with little traffic.
Frame fragments or sections of designs from damaged quilts for walls, or make into place mats or window valances.Heirloom quilt blocks that were never made into quilts can be made into plaques with the artist's name and the date and given to children. These blocks can also be stitched into beautiful pillows.
Framing quilts can lend an artistic touch to your room. It's best to have a professional do the framing, because the frames will need air holes and an acid-free padded backing.For a dramatic effect, place quilts on beds diagonally over solid-colored bedspreads.Use quilts as a bedspread and combine them with a dust ruffle. Two different-colored dust ruffles that are color coodinated with the quilt can be used for contrast.(This is also a terrific way to display smaller quilts that don't quite cover the sides of the mattress)
Using two quilts of complimentary colors, use one as a bedspread and hang the other on the wall to form a stylish "headboard." Be sure to use toss pillows, breakfast and neckroll pillows at the head of the bed to protect the wall quilt.Never place quilts in rooms that receive a lot of sun. Direct sunlight can fade them.
Never expose quilts to rooms with extreme temperatures or humidity.Pets should never be allowed on keepsake quilts. They can snag or stain them.Display quilts on rarely used furniture or in places with little traffic. Quilts can be removed before sitting or leaning on them. Too much pressure, especially on older quilts, can cause stitching to break.Contrary to popular belief, quilts should never be stored in plastic bags because they could mildew. Quilts also should not be stored in cedar chests, or containers lined with wood or paper. The acid in these materials can cause brown stains to appear, harming dyes and fibers. It is important to let quilts breathe.
Need to fold and store a quilt immediately? Pad folds with well-washed, 100% cotton towels and slip into a large cotton pillowcase.Wrap quilts in acid-free tissue between folds to eliminate hard fold lines and avoid disintegration. (Acid-free paper can be found in art stores.)
Be sure to rotate and refold displayed quilts often. Every three to six months, quilts should be changed to a new position, refolded to show a different portion or replaced with another quilt. A good rule of thumb is to let quilts "rest and recuperate" for as long as you display them.Using the upholstery attachment, vacuum quilts to remove dust, hair, and pollen. You can cover your upholstery attachment with cheesecloth or an old nylon stocking to protect the delicate quilt fibers.
Air quilts every few months. This will remove the musty smell that may occur from long periods of storage.
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