Quilt Display Ideas
One of the sweet things about quilts is that they often tell a story or family history with their pattern. New stories and inspirations arise as intricate quilts have evolved from practical bedspreads made carefully reusing bits of old clothes to works of art with an array of media and often featured in art galleries. Displaying a beloved quilt is satisfying every time it is seen.
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Antique Quilts
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The older the quilt, the more delicate and fragile the fabric is and susceptible to getting torn or damaged. Keep these quilts far from direct sunlight or artificial light and in a cool area of the room. Quilt conservationists at the University of Michigan recommend displaying older quilts by mounting them on wooden stretchers, a process that involves having the quilt professionally sewn onto a linen or cotton frame.
Mounting on Stretchers
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Heavy quilts or older quilts require special accommodations if displayed on a wall. Stretchers are an optimal way to display these. A stretcher is wooden or metal frame covered with linen or cotton. A professional tailor or quilter will carefully sew the edges of the quilt to the stretcher. Stretchers are good for quilts, allowing air to flow through the quilt to prevent mildew while eliminating stress on the fabric while it hangs.
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Tapestry Hangings
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Highly acclaimed Gee's Bends Quilts are regularly transported and displayed in national museums and hung using tapestry hangings like they were once hung on clotheslines to air out. Featuring a favorite quilt on the wall gives a room warmth, is a conversation piece, and makes the quilt the centerpiece of decoration for the room. Carefully review the quilt to ensure that it is sturdy and free from tears before preparing it to hang on the wall. Tapestry hangings involve sewing additional mounting material called casings on the back of the quilt and purchasing special mounting hardware for tapestries.
Quilt Racks
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A quilt rack is the most common, and inexpensive, way to display one or several quilts simultaneously. Choose a wooden quilt rack with no more than three bars at different levels. Featuring more than one quilt on a quilt rack is an effective way to store and display beloved quilts.
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References
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