I like to display quilt on tables, walls, over furniture… you get the drift! I like to display them everywhere in my house. From big to small, there are some unique ways to display them. When they are not in use, you also need to have a good storage plan. If you are like me, you have seasonal wall hangings and other quilted items in your collection that you do not display year round.
Making a Hanging Sleeve
First you need to plan if your quilt will need a sleeve on the back. This step is of course for wall hangings or bigger quilts you may want to display on a wall space. An easy way to put a sleeve on a quilt is to do it at the same time as when you attach the binding like I did on this quilt below:
First, I cut a strip of fabric 2 1/2″ wide and 2″ shorter than the width of the wall hanging. This quilt is 24″ wide, so I cut the strip 2 1/2 x 22″.
Next, hem the short ends of the strip.
Now, lay the strip on the back of the quilted item aligning it with the edge and pin in place. So, when you attach the binding to the front, the top of the sleeve will be attached.
Finally, you turn under the bottom edge of the strip and pin in place so you can hand stitch this while hand stitching your binding to the back.
How to Hang that Quilt
My favorite way to hang a quilt once I have the sleeve on the back is to use a curtain rod. I pick up the cafe style rods from a store like Target. They come in many different lengths and thicknesses.
If I am hanging the quilt on a wall where I think I will always display a quilt, I use the brackets that come with the rod so there is a way to mount the quilt.
Here’s a few of my quilts hung this way:
Try to hang the quilts where they will not be in direct sunlight. Another good reason to change your display periodically is to protect a quilt from exposure all year round.
Here are some other display ideas for quilt, big and small. Clipped to an old clipboard, on a dowel inside an old drawer, draped over a chair or ladder… the possibilities are endless!
For quilts that are folded on beds, over ladders, chairs or racks, periodically open them up and refold them in a different way so they don’t develop permanent creases.
Storing the Quilt
So, when you’re not displaying the quilt, how do you store it? I like to fold my quilts and store them wrapped in white sheets to protect them. Here’s a how I fold them:
For a step by step folding instructions, you can read my blog post from last year: My Tips for Storing Quilts.
Here’s some do’s and don’ts from that blog:
Do not store them in the basement or attic of your home where the temperature and humidity is not at ideal levels.
Do not stack too many folded quilts on top of one another.
Do not store quilts in plastic containers or bags. Plastic can trap moisture which could develop mold that will stain quilts.
Do use clean white sheets to cover a stack of quilts for protection.
Two other ways to store quilts is to roll them or to drape them over extra beds. Rolling large quilts may be difficult for storage since there would need to be a large space to store those rolls. But rolling them is a good way to avoid any creases from folding, so if you have the storage space, consider doing this.
For smaller quilts like table runners and wall hangings, I use clip hangers meant for skirts and pants and I hang them in a closet.
So now you know my tips for displaying and storing my quilts. Do you have any you’d like to share? Comment below to be entered into a drawing for my newest quilt pattern: Season of Joy!
Drawing will be on Monday, February 10th.
Happy Quilting!
Deanne
Thank you for these ideas ,I love the one with the hangers ,I will use that one for sure .
Great post! Loved your drawer idea!
I, too, use those hangers for my seasonal smaller quilts and wallhangings. It makes it so easy to find what I’m looking for, and keeps me from forgetting about some:)
Great idea for your small table runners to be stored on hangers when not in use. Also enjoyed the rest of your blog always helpful advice.
I use the skirt hangers to store my quilts. I also use wooden skirt hangers to display smaller quilts. Antique hanges are the prettiest.
Thank you for all the great tips. I don’t have any of my own because I am still learning from others.
I love your folding idea. Just refold every 6 months or so, this will also help with the fold creases. For the hanging sleeve I leave space for the rod in the sleeve so not to push/out the quilt top.
Thank you for this article. Great tips
Thanks for all of the good ideas. I love the way the quilts look on the ladder.
I am in the process of putting my extra quilts in a display case that has glass sides and doors. And it’s located where sunlight never hits it. So much better than the linen closet.
I hang a lot of them on the rods but also use the quilt stands and drape them over small tables. Most of my mini’s are pegged onto strings that hang on the wall. I like your way of folding for storage.
Great ideas! I would never have thought of hanging one in an old drawer! I love this pattern and really hope I’m the lucky winner!
Great Post !. I love wall quilts.
Great Post !. It’s nice to know the easy way to make a sleeve.
I love all your tips and tricks. I wish I had ideas better or even different than yours for storing my quilts. Small ones are folded and placed on a shelf for my seasonal displays.
I also just have a quilt rack in my bedroom and beds to store them on.
I like pool noodles. I slice them and place on hangers to hang quilts over and also roll smaller quilts on the noodles. I also make muslin bags to place the noodles in for hanging or storage.
I have a velvet heavy crazy quilt I want to hang on the wall. Is there a weight limit for hanging? Any suggestions will be appreciated.
I would say the main concern is putting strain on the stitches on the top of the quilt where you have it hung. A long sleeve to distribute the weight on a curtain rod would definitely be better than hanging it with clip curtain hooks.
Thank you. Great ideas. One question – do the skirt/pant hanger clips leave indentations in the quilts after they’ve been hanging for a period of time?
Hi,
I have not found those to leave any indentations on my quilts. As long as they are just gently clipped and not tight on the quilt, I don’t see that happening. If you want to be extra careful, you can put some batting between the quilt and the clips.