I was just browsing my favorite blogs when I came across "Sisters Choice Quilts" (you can find the link on the right) and she was talking about how to store and use quilts, how to wash them and whether or not to prewash your fabrics! Check out her site, she has some great information there. She lays her quilts on all the furniture and beds, (imagine that!) and I tend to hang my quilts all over the house!!! So I thought I would share with you how I use my quilts so that I can enjoy them as much as possible in our home. I have yet to finish a quilt big enough for my bed, but it is in the making. I, like her, have little dogs, and I always worry that they might tear one of my quilts! I guess that must mean I like my quilts better than my furniture! LOL!!! I have one exception, and that is these two older wedding ring quilts that are in pretty bad shape, and I let the dogs lay on these when I am sewing. I love this couch now in my sewing room. It is a cozy place to stop and relax, read a book, or just have a nap with Roxy and Peanut by my side. The design wall is above the couch, which isn't terribly easy to get to, but it's the only spot I have, and I can't get along without a design wall!
I try to make sure that my quilts don't hang in direct sunlight at any time, and I do move them around as the seasons change. In fact, I love quilts with a seasonal theme just for that reason!!
Another wall in the sewing room. Here is a 4th of July wall hanging.
Another wall in the sewing room. Here is a 4th of July wall hanging. I just love color, and I'm a contemporary enthusiast as well as loving the traditional quilts. This one is so easy, and a free pattern for the Kona Cottons. If you look down the hall to the front door, you can barely see another quilt hanging from a rod, using two curtain tiebacks turned vertically so the rod can hang on the "hook". This makes it really easy to switch out the different quilts. Again, those Kona cottons. I did this a long time ago, making Amish blocks, and framing them to hang above my kitchen cupboards! I have 2 more to make, and finding a 12" square frame is not easy. I just cut the mats down on the inside to fit the 9" blocks.
There is a machine embroidered quilt in the bedroom. I'm now in the process of finding a quilt that better suits the space. Too much of it hangs behind the headboard.
There is a machine embroidered quilt in the bedroom. I'm now in the process of finding a quilt that better suits the space. Too much of it hangs behind the headboard.
In the longarm room, I love hanging quilts to inspire my quilting and I just love looking at them!
I painted two walls last week in this aqua/greyblue historic color and I really like the warmth it gave to the room. I might still attempt the other walls!
So the question is, what do you do with your quilts? Besides giving them as gifts, which I think every quilter does!! Do you prewash your fabrics? Do you throw your quilts in the washing machines? Do you really USE your quilts? Write and let me know! I love sharing information!
Until then, keep quilting!!
6 comments:
What fun to see all your quilts! I love having my quilts all around me, and figure if something happens to one, I can always make more. Not they all aren't precious to me, I just think they are meant to be used and looked at. Great post!
Your quilts are gorgeous! Seeing all of them on the walls makes me want to hang them all over my house.
I usually make quilts for gifts, and I haven't kept many for myself. The ones I have kept are VERY used, though. They're very soft and cuddly from being used and washed so much. I tend to agree with Nicole. If these wear out, I'll make more.
I used to be a fanatic about pre-washing fabric. When I started buying pre-cut fabrics, it didn't seem like a good idea to pre-wash the smaller pieces. And nothing bad happened when I washed the quilts! So I'm beginning to cut fabrics now without pre-washing.
Thanks so much for sharing all the wonderful pictures!
your quilts are beautiful..........mine are all on beds at the moment..........don't have to many to hang around on the walls too.........
What beautiful pieces of art you have created.
Other than giving quilts away, I live with them. If we have a picnic at our house, I have them in the porch swing, on the bench, and hanging from the clothesline. I encourage people to use them to sit on, to cover up, to eat on. I want to enjoy my quilts.
I do pre-wash fabrics. Being of a certain age always makes one think red will always fade. Now that the majority of fabrics are colorfast, it probably doesn't matter. I always iron and spray starch the fabric before I cut it. I also iron faithfully as I go along so all of my seams are going the right way.
Have a fabulous day. This afternoon might just find me in a shady spot napping on a quilt.
Lynn
I loved seeing all of your quilts. I have mine all over the house too. They are stacked on the floor under tables, cabinets, stacked on benches, hanging on lots of walls too. Before we moved I stacked them one at a time under my mattress and on top of the box springs but they were so high that it was uncomfortable to sleep so I had to take them out. lolol
I do wash my quilts, but do not prewash fabric. That would cut into my sewing time.
Thanks again for sharing.
Absolutely beautiful quilts! You have a rare talent. I would love to get that as a wedding gift. Are you listed with http://www.gatheringguide.com/ec/party_favors_decorations.html or do you just do this for fun?
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