How To Store and Preseerve You Quilt
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How To Display and Store Your QuiltHow to display and preserve your quilt to get the maximum life and enjoyment of your
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When storing your quilt on a shelf or on a rack, it is a good idea to change the pattern of your fold to prevent permanent creasing and fading can occur also. This is important for older, antique quilts that you may want to pass it on to future generations. Avoid storing your quilt on raw wood such as found in unfinished drawers.
In years past quilt were commonly stored in cedar chests and absorbed the aroma of cedar. To obtain that same effect, place small bags of cedar chips in storage with your quilt.
In years past quilt were commonly stored in cedar chests and absorbed the aroma of cedar. To obtain that same effect, place small bags of cedar chips in storage with your quilt.
Store your quilt in a dark, dry place. Never wrap in plastic, it retains moisture and can cause mildew and fiber rot.
If your quilt is not used daily, it should be stored in a cotton or muslin bag or an acid-free box made specifically for quilt storage. The best storage locations are dry, dark areas of your home. Attics and basements are not a good idea because heat and humidity can ruin your quilt. It is best to lay your quilt flat for storage.
If you must fold your quilt, use acid-free tissue paper as padding. This can help prevent creases in the fabric. Tubes are available for quilt storage as well. You simply wrap the tube in acid-free tissue paper, then wrap your quilt around the tube, and store it in a cotton or muslin bag.
If you are storing your quilt in a wooden dresser or other furniture, use caution and separate the quilt from the wood. Oils in wood can interact with the fabric, leaving permanent spots. Occasionally you should bring your quilts out of storage and air them out. This will be a good time to check for mildew and bug invasions, and give you a chance to refold the quilt so that creases don't form in the fabric. If you have an extra bed available in your home, you can also place your quilts on the bed for storage. Simply lay them flat and cover with a sheet.
Handmade quilts are items to treasure. Some are used as everyday blankets on beds and washed often. Others are only for show and are displayed as artwork on racks or bed tops. Whatever function your handmade quilt serves, caring for and cleaning it properly will allow you to enjoy it for years to come.
Rolling or folding your quilt and placing into a pillowcase or a sheet as padding is a good method to use. Be sure the first roll is rolled loosely.
When folding a quilt, it is recommended that the pattern be inside with the backing out. This will help prevent fade also. Another rule of thumb for folding a quilt for storage is to pad the folds with either acid free tissue or a clean fabric such as sheet strips or maybe even off white feedstock fabric.
Cleaning your quilt is another matter all together. Always avoid the washing machine, it has ruined many a quilt. Much care is needed and a little experience is good too. Dry cleaning should be avoided also. Quilts collect dust and debris very easily, so it is recommended you use a vacuum cleaner with light suction. Place a white coffee filter between the quilt and the vacuum suction hose and and you can see the dust that is removed.
Caring for your keepsake can be quite an undertaking but well worth it the effort. If you follow these simple common sense ideas, your quilt should endure for generations to enjoy.
Much importance has been placed on avoiding displaying your quilt in direct sunlight. As stated above, it is probably the biggest enemy to any colored fabric especially quilts.
We would not recommend using a double-knit fabric to store your quilts in. Double-knit fabric does not breathe and your quilts would not get any air. If the air in the bag is unable to be released, temperature and humidity rise in the bag. This can cause your quilt to become damp, which would cause mold and mildew to form.
We recommend storing them in 100% cotton muslin or 100% cotton pillowcases. Make sure whatever you store them in is washed and well rinsed at least once a year.
You should never store your quilts in regular packing boxes either. They contain acids that can stain and deteriorate the fabric. If you use a box, make sure it is acid-free. You should not use tissue paper to wrap your quilt unless it is acid-free.
Folding your quilt can leave permanent creases. If you must fold to store, avoid sharp creases. You can pad the fold with acid-free tissue paper to soften it.
Ideally, your quilts should be rolled on a tube. You should use an acid-free tube or cover the roll with acid-free paper or cotton muslin (washed and rinsed). Roll the quilt with the right side facing out and then cover with another cloth or sheet.
Quilts should be stored flat in a dark area. Do not store quilts directly on wood. The natural oils in the wood can stain the fabric.
It is best to store your quilt in a room with an even temperature. Attics and basements are not the best place for quilts. When it is very hot the moisture in the air can cause mold to grow and the dyes in the fabric to break down. When it is very cold, the fibers in the fabric tend to get dry and brittle and could break.
By taking a little time to store your quilts properly you can ensure that they are around for future generations to enjoy.
Sew a rod pocket onto the top back of your quilt.
Slide a stick of wood into the pocket, and hang on the wall.
To keep a quilt hanging straight, sew a rod pocket on the
bottom of the quilt and slide a stick of wood in it too.
For larger quilts, sew two rod pockets onto the quilt
across the top, leaving space between the two. Slide the
wood strip into both pockets; suspend the quilt on the wall
using 3 nails.
For small wallhangings, use safety pins in the corners and
suspend from nails.
Store your quilts rolled up - preferable around a tube and
acid-free tissue paper.
Store in fabric sacks or pillowcases. Quilts need to
breathe, do not use plastic bags.
Washing Your Quilt:
Your quilt should be washed with much care.
Use cool water, a tiny amount of the right soap and
slight agitation. Best done in a very clean bathtub
using special quilt soap - or Orvis (used for horses).
Dissolve the soap completely in the water before you
put the quilt in. Rinse thoroughly.
Fold carefully between towels to remove excess water.
Lay flat to dry. Place towels under the wet quilt,
then lift the towels to get the quilt out of the tub.
(Handling the wet quilt tends to stretch it.)
Other options:
Use a child's wading pool to wash the quilt.
Instead of washing, vacuum your quilt using low
suction, if possible.
Use a lint remover (taped roller) to remove hairs
and extra threads.
If your quilt is not used daily, it should be stored in a cotton or muslin bag or an acid-free box made specifically for quilt storage. The best storage locations are dry, dark areas of your home. Attics and basements are not a good idea because heat and humidity can ruin your quilt. It is best to lay your quilt flat for storage.
If you must fold your quilt, use acid-free tissue paper as padding. This can help prevent creases in the fabric. Tubes are available for quilt storage as well. You simply wrap the tube in acid-free tissue paper, then wrap your quilt around the tube, and store it in a cotton or muslin bag.
If you are storing your quilt in a wooden dresser or other furniture, use caution and separate the quilt from the wood. Oils in wood can interact with the fabric, leaving permanent spots. Occasionally you should bring your quilts out of storage and air them out. This will be a good time to check for mildew and bug invasions, and give you a chance to refold the quilt so that creases don't form in the fabric. If you have an extra bed available in your home, you can also place your quilts on the bed for storage. Simply lay them flat and cover with a sheet.
Handmade quilts are items to treasure. Some are used as everyday blankets on beds and washed often. Others are only for show and are displayed as artwork on racks or bed tops. Whatever function your handmade quilt serves, caring for and cleaning it properly will allow you to enjoy it for years to come.
Rolling or folding your quilt and placing into a pillowcase or a sheet as padding is a good method to use. Be sure the first roll is rolled loosely.
When folding a quilt, it is recommended that the pattern be inside with the backing out. This will help prevent fade also. Another rule of thumb for folding a quilt for storage is to pad the folds with either acid free tissue or a clean fabric such as sheet strips or maybe even off white feedstock fabric.
Cleaning your quilt is another matter all together. Always avoid the washing machine, it has ruined many a quilt. Much care is needed and a little experience is good too. Dry cleaning should be avoided also. Quilts collect dust and debris very easily, so it is recommended you use a vacuum cleaner with light suction. Place a white coffee filter between the quilt and the vacuum suction hose and and you can see the dust that is removed.
Caring for your keepsake can be quite an undertaking but well worth it the effort. If you follow these simple common sense ideas, your quilt should endure for generations to enjoy.
Much importance has been placed on avoiding displaying your quilt in direct sunlight. As stated above, it is probably the biggest enemy to any colored fabric especially quilts.
We would not recommend using a double-knit fabric to store your quilts in. Double-knit fabric does not breathe and your quilts would not get any air. If the air in the bag is unable to be released, temperature and humidity rise in the bag. This can cause your quilt to become damp, which would cause mold and mildew to form.
We recommend storing them in 100% cotton muslin or 100% cotton pillowcases. Make sure whatever you store them in is washed and well rinsed at least once a year.
You should never store your quilts in regular packing boxes either. They contain acids that can stain and deteriorate the fabric. If you use a box, make sure it is acid-free. You should not use tissue paper to wrap your quilt unless it is acid-free.
Folding your quilt can leave permanent creases. If you must fold to store, avoid sharp creases. You can pad the fold with acid-free tissue paper to soften it.
Ideally, your quilts should be rolled on a tube. You should use an acid-free tube or cover the roll with acid-free paper or cotton muslin (washed and rinsed). Roll the quilt with the right side facing out and then cover with another cloth or sheet.
Quilts should be stored flat in a dark area. Do not store quilts directly on wood. The natural oils in the wood can stain the fabric.
It is best to store your quilt in a room with an even temperature. Attics and basements are not the best place for quilts. When it is very hot the moisture in the air can cause mold to grow and the dyes in the fabric to break down. When it is very cold, the fibers in the fabric tend to get dry and brittle and could break.
By taking a little time to store your quilts properly you can ensure that they are around for future generations to enjoy.
Sew a rod pocket onto the top back of your quilt.
Slide a stick of wood into the pocket, and hang on the wall.
To keep a quilt hanging straight, sew a rod pocket on the
bottom of the quilt and slide a stick of wood in it too.
For larger quilts, sew two rod pockets onto the quilt
across the top, leaving space between the two. Slide the
wood strip into both pockets; suspend the quilt on the wall
using 3 nails.
For small wallhangings, use safety pins in the corners and
suspend from nails.
Store your quilts rolled up - preferable around a tube and
acid-free tissue paper.
Store in fabric sacks or pillowcases. Quilts need to
breathe, do not use plastic bags.
Washing Your Quilt:
Your quilt should be washed with much care.
Use cool water, a tiny amount of the right soap and
slight agitation. Best done in a very clean bathtub
using special quilt soap - or Orvis (used for horses).
Dissolve the soap completely in the water before you
put the quilt in. Rinse thoroughly.
Fold carefully between towels to remove excess water.
Lay flat to dry. Place towels under the wet quilt,
then lift the towels to get the quilt out of the tub.
(Handling the wet quilt tends to stretch it.)
Other options:
Use a child's wading pool to wash the quilt.
Instead of washing, vacuum your quilt using low
suction, if possible.
Use a lint remover (taped roller) to remove hairs
and extra threads.
How to preserve your quilt for future generations is as important
as creating your masterpiece. Properly cared for quilts have endured
the ages and become priceless to some.
Collectors cherish and display them with great pride.
If maintained correctly, it's value increases with time.
Take pride and great care when storing your quilts and you too
will have an enduring heirloom for the ages.
as creating your masterpiece. Properly cared for quilts have endured
the ages and become priceless to some.
Collectors cherish and display them with great pride.
If maintained correctly, it's value increases with time.
Take pride and great care when storing your quilts and you too
will have an enduring heirloom for the ages.
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