Tuesday, 4 June 2013

Tips And Advice For Hanging A Quilt

By Lora Jones


Hanging a quilt should not leave everlasting holes in it and ruin it forever. With the right tools and supplies you can get the job done, while preserving your precious heirloom. Simply sew a sleeve onto the back of the artwork and hang it on a curtain rod. You will need a tape measure, curtain rod or dowel, brackets, needle and thread, neutral colored fabric.

To get started, determine the necessary length and width of the sleeve. Cut the muslin into a rectangle the same width of your comforter and a few inches high. Pin it in place at the top, turning the edges under. Test out the curtain rod to make sure you have a good fit before sewing it in place. This step ensures you don't have to rip it out if it doesn't fit later.

Before you sew the fabric onto the backing, pin it in place first. Test it out before sewing it on by hand. Make sure there is enough room for the rod to slide into the pocket with ease. Sew it on by hand, making sure not to bring your stitches all the way to the front.

Once the pocket is sewn on, it is time to install the brackets on the wall. Ideally, the placement of the display should not be exposed to sunlight. This can fade the fabric and ruin it. Hanging a quilt requires thoughtful planning when determining the location. Make sure the brackets are equal distance from the ceiling and floor so that it hangs evenly.

Slip the rod or dowel into the pocket you have sewn onto the back. Snap the ends of the rod into the brackets. Adjust the quilt so there are no waves in the design. Does it look even? Make adjustments if it looks crooked. If you measured properly before installing the brackets, this should not be a problem. The issue could also be if the pocket was not sewn on straight. It's easier to adjust the brackets at this point.

To reduce the amount of exposure to light, hang different items now and then. Any amount of natural or artificial light fades fabric over time. If you want to pass it down like a family heirloom, do what you can to preserve the vibrancy of the colors. Changing your artwork is a good general interior design tip as well.

Some people prefer not to sew a pocket onto their blankets. That is understandable. There are other methods for hanging a quilt. Quilt clips or ladders are other great options. Think of quilt clips like heavy duty clothespins. The specialty ladder simply has round dowels as rungs. The ladder enables you to display multiple blankets at one time.

With either of these alternative methods, be sure to adjust the position periodically. The clips can cause it to droop in certain areas and hang unevenly. Over time this can cause permanent damage. The same thing goes for the pressure applied by the rungs on a ladder. After a while it can weaken the fibers and put a permanent crease in your heirloom. Always consider the long term when deciding how to go about hanging a quilt.




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