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DISPLAYING YOUR QUILTS

© Jeanne Walsh

Whether a small wall hanging or a bed size quilt, the mechanics of hanging it need to be considered when the piece is planned. The hanger that is actually going to hold it in place must be strong enough to carry the weight of the quilt and there must be a casing, tabs, something sewed ON the quilt to attach to the hanger.

A bed size is usually hung on a rod that extends across the full width of the quilt. For this a casing can be cut 4 or 5 inch wide and about two inches shorter than the quilt is wide. It must be sewn at or near the binding seam, through all 3 layers of the quilt to avoid strain on the backing. Make a tuck all across the casing, (finger press) as the needed space for the hanger rod, then blind stitch across the bottom of the casing.

I don't have enough wall space in my home to display a full size quilt although I sometimes want to show a large quilt. In that event, I fold the quilt so the design I want to showcase is on the outside, and I place it over the wooden rod on the hanger shown above. (Incidentally one of these quilt hangers is a grand gift for that new quilter in your family!) I also bring out my quilt rack on occasion to display large quilts folded.

A lighter quilt will display nicely using short sections of casings spaced across a quilt top. I have used ribbon at intervals across a small item but it is not easy to get the piece level when tying those ribbons on the hanger! Wooden blocks that clamp are attractive hangers and no casings are needed.

If the quilted piece can be shown from either end, you might want to vary its appearance by putting a casing on both ends. Tabs can be used in place of casings as in this photo. Cafe curtain rods make nice hangers for small quilts and are less expensive than wooden hangers, plus they usually come with the hardware to hang the rod. Dowel sticks hung by string on both ends work fine for small items.

Changing the quilts on your hangers will give your rooms a lift with seasonal, or just color, changes. If you want something new and haven't the time to make a pieced hanging, take a look at the panels in the fabric stores. These make something new and attractive in just a few hours, ready to hang and brighten your decor. I have 2 or 3 panels in my stash most of the time, and have even quilted and given them as gifts!

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