Storing Quilts – My Favorite Tips

We all need to store quilts at one time or another if we own a lot of them. Unless you have several bedrooms with guest beds where you can layer them, you’ll need to fold them for storage. I’ll give you tips on folding the quilt and then some on the best way and place to store them. Leave a comment and be entered in a drawing for a free pattern!

Folding Quilts

Let’s begin by laying out the quilt you want to fold on a large flat surface:

Make the first fold on the bias:

Next fold:

Finally the last two folds:

Folding on the bias puts less stress on the fabric fibers so any creases that happen while it’s folded this way will smooth out easier. Straight folds create heavier creases that could be permanent if the quilt is folded for too long.

The other way I fold quilts is in thirds. The following photos will show how that is done.

First fold:

Next fold:

Next two folds:

If you need the folded quilt to be smaller, you can now fold it over two more times.

Now, I did not have any for this demonstration, but I usually use acid free, colorless tissue paper stuffed in the folds to soften them.

Some dos and don’ts for Storing:

• 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.

Other Storage Options

Another way to store quilts is to roll them. 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.

You can also drape quilts over an extra bed. If you drape them over guest beds, be sure they are not in direct sunlight that could fade a quilt. If there is direct sunlight into that room, you can cover the stack of quilts with a clean, white sheet to protect them.

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.

Finally, when I have quilts that have been stored for longer than 6 months, I like to pull them out and refold them or switch them out with ones that are displayed.

Hopefully, this quilt storage tutorial gives you some ideas on how to protect your quilts when they are not on display throughout your home. Let me know if you use any of these methods or if you have another way you store quilts. With your comment, you will be entered into a drawing for my pattern Rail Fence Blooms!

The drawing will be held on Monday, September 21st. ***We have a winner! Congrats, Brenda in Iowa!***

Happy Quilting!
Deanne