Safe Display of Quilts

Whether an antique or new quilt, you will want to preserve the loving workmanship that went into creating it. While displaying quilts allows you to enjoy them daily, care should be taken not to hasten the deterioration of the fabrics.  Hanging your quilt using a sleeve system does not pinch or pull the fabric unevenly at specific points.  If your pattern is non-directional, you may sew a sleeve at the top and the bottom and rotate hanging it from either end, to distribute the wear. If you have an antique quilt with fragile fabric, consider displaying it over a bed or floor style quilt rack that offers substantial support, rather than hanging it.

Hang your quilt where it will not receive direct sunlight, or constant direct indoor lighting.  Lighting can fade the colors and weaken the fabrics.

To clean, remove the quilt from the hanger and shake gently to remove dust.  If it must be washed, purchase a soap designed specifically for quilts and follow directions.  It is best to test for color fastness before washing.  Additional resources on care and cleaning of quilts can be found on the links page.

These little peg-nails come in different sizes, are inexpensive and work with any size quilt. They are readily available at hardware/home supply stores (I purchased some at Aubuchon's).  Use a hardwood dowel, or hardwood strip of adequate size to support the weight of your quilt.

You can also often find pretty accessories (rods/brackets) for hanging quilts in curtain supplies at your local department store.

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Directions for Sewing a "Bumpless" Hanging Sleeve

Cut a piece of muslin or backing material 4 1/2" wide and the length of your quilt.  Turn the short ends to the wrong side 1/2" in & stitch.  Fold the material lengthwise with the wrong sides together and stitch, using a 1/4" seam allowance.  On the opposite side from your seam, baste 1/4" in from the fold.

Press your sleeve open with the seam in the center & 1/4" basting opposite.  Blindstitch your sleeve onto your quilt with the seam of the sleeve toward the quilt & the basted 1/4" seam in front.  Remove the basting. This allows extra room for the fullness of the rod, and your quilt will lay smoothly without bulges. If you have a small quilt hanging, you may wish to sew two short sleeves on the back with an opening in the middle. A stick can then be placed through the sleeves and hung from the exposed stick in the center.

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