How to Display and Store Your Quilt

Ideas for putting your quilt on display and storing it safely

It's hard to imagine Van Gogh's "Starry Night" haphazardly taped to the wall or DaVinci's Mona Lisa smiling from beneath a thumb tack. Yet all too often quilts - priceless works of art in their own right - are stuffed inside trash bags in our basements or in shabby heaps on our washroom floors.

Quilts deserve the same care and attention that valuable works of art do, and it takes just a little effort to preserve these treasured textiles. Proper display and storing of your treasured quilts will ensure that friends and family will be able to enjoy their history and beauty for years to come.

On display

The ideal method of properly storing a quilt that is in reasonably sturdy condition is with a quilt rack. Quilt racks vary in size, material, and styles. Some quilt racks are able to support multiple quilts and blankets, as well as those designed to show a single quilt of specific size. Racks are made of various wood types, brass, and wrought iron, among others.

Floor standing quilt racks

Floor standing quilt racks are ideal for a quilt that you intend to use or move around frequently. These standing racks use display bars to evenly distribute the weight of the quilt. A floor standing rack is portable, letting you easily move your quilt from room to room to keep it away from high-traffic areas. And without actually handling the quilt itself in transport, a floor standing quilt rack extends the overall life of your quilt.

Wall mount quilt racks

Wall mount quilt racks use quilt clips or a display bar to gracefully hang your quilt for an appealing vertical showcase. Using quilt clips on a wall mount quilt rack is one of the most eye-catching methods to display your quilt.

Quilt clips will securely hold your quilt at one end, allowing you to display the entire face of the quilt. Only quilts in good condition should be displayed with a wall mount quilt rack because it can cause more stress on the quilt than does using a display rod.

Display and storage guidelines

Any light source - sunlight or artificial - is a big enemy of quilts. Light can cause fading and over-drying, so keep your quilt away from windows or highly lit areas.

Exposure to heat, even moderate temperature changes, can cause the fabric to expand and contract, potentially damaging your quilt. Be sure to keep quilts away from heating air ducts or radiators.

Every six months, refold and air out both displayed quilts and stored quilts. This prevents permanent creases in the fabric.

When storing quilts for a long period, avoid using plastic bags (they seal in damaging moisture). Instead, use a muslin or sheet, as these porous covers will allow the quilt to receive much-needed air.

If you feel your quilt is too fragile for display, simply following these storage guidelines can help add to its life. If in doubt, you can always consult a professional conservator whose expertise will ensure your quilt keeps looking gorgeous throughout the year.

More information on quilts