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Display The best way to display (or store) a quilt is on an unused bed. If hanging a quilt is preferred, display it for only six months or so at a time. When hanging a quilt, use a method that will distribute the weight over the entire width of the quilt. Sew a 4-5" wide tube or sleeve of fabric along the top edge on the back of the quilt. When displaying a group of quilts on a shelf, line the shelf with a piece of muslin. This will protect the quilt on the bottom from laying directly on the wood. Along those same lines, when draping a quilt over a door, place a piece of muslin between the door and the quilt to protect the quilt from the door.
Light Both sunlight and artificial light will cause fading so I'm careful to rotate my collection from time to time; every six months or so―putting away quilts that have been out for a while and bringing others out of storage. I'm especially careful of antique quilts and take special care to have them out only for short periods of time. Storage Fabric needs to breathe to lessen the chance of mildew. You should not store quilts in plastic bags or boxes. Wrapping quilts loosely in clean, old cotton pillowcases or sheets is advised. When they are stored, they should be in a dry, dark closet or blanket chest. Refold stored quilts periodically (every two months or so) to prevent permanent creasing, which breaks fibers. Quilts may also be rolled around a long tube for storage. Cover the tube first with acid free tissue paper or muslin. Do not fold your quilt before rolling. I use narrow strips of muslin to tie around a bundle of rolled quilts; then cover them with another layer of muslin. I like to roll several quilts of similar sizes on one tube; pinning on a stringed shipping tag to identify each quilt so I know which quilts are rolled around which tube. Air out stored quilts as often as possible and out of direct sunlight. |
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Resources Please preserve the stories behind your quilts! Click here for the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum's website page of quilt care and a downloadable Personal Quilt Documentation Form to document the details of each of your quilts.
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There
are quilts everywhere in my home; there's even a small charm quilt in the
bathroom! I have two quilts my great grandmother made, a couple
vintage quilts left in the house by previous owners, and our growing
collection of purchased antique quilts. These and other quilts are used on beds, as wallhangings,
folded and stacked on shelves and draped over chairs and doors. Quilts are a
big piece of who I am and I want my home to reflect that. There are
no deep, dark secrets regarding the safe display of a quilt collection.
Common sense and a knowledgeable respect for the fabrics will help
preserve these treasures for future generations.
Should
you decide to frame a quilt or quilt block, consult a framer who has
experience working with textiles. Ask about the framer's method of
attaching the quilt to a background. Do NOT allow a chemical
adhesive to be used. Plexiglas, NOT glass, should be used to cover
(but not touch) the quilt. Plexiglas allows your quilt to breathe.