Free-Standing Quilt Display at a Craft Show?
 

Hi everyone,

I think I'll be doing a craft show locally on December 1st, and I was hoping for some advice. My plan is to make many smaller items, like pillow covers, potholders, table runners, coordinating placemats, ornaments, etc. I also plan on making one or two lap-quilts, maybe a crib-sized blanket or two, and I have a queen-sized quilt (90" x 90") to sell. My mother-in-law used to own a quilt shop, and so she still has many display items like small quilt racks, table-top displays, etc., that she's said I can use. I still have no way to display the large quilt in an eye-catching way. I'm not really planning on it selling, since it's expensive, but I was hoping I could use it to bring people to my table from a distance. To do that, I need to have it opened (not folded) and displayed high.

The problem is that I have equal chances of being against a concrete wall and in the middle of a room (no walls!), and since it's not a quilt show, the organizers do not offer anything for hanging. I've heard of people using ladders in a pinch, but I don't have any (we live in a 1-floor apartment). I'm willing to spend maybe $20, but any more than that would not be worth it, I don't think. Also, I drive a Honda Civic 2-door, so it has to be collapsable. My husband does have a roof rack system and a slightly larger sedan (the seats fold down to the trunk in both cars), but seeing as how the show is in December and this is upstate NY, I wouldn't count on the weather being nice (or the slush that'd get kicked up on the way there).

Any ideas? If you've got an idea that gets the quilt high-up, but not completely un-folded, that might work, too. By "high" I just mean that the top of the quilt should be at least 7.5' off the ground.

One suggestion about a ladder - you mention living in an aparatment. I'm assuming that means other apartments, and some kind of maintenance person on premises every day or someone who comes around often. The building must have a ladder and it's worth asking if you could borrow it for a day. Good luck with the show!

I suggest that you contact local quilt guilds to see if they have portable quilt racks that you can rent. My old guild in Texas did this and I know another one in Texas did as well. Maybe there is one in your area that would do that for you. Best of luck. Gina

Thanks, Gina. That's a great idea! I think there's at least one formalized quilting guild around here, and I'm fairly certain they do quilt shows...I will look into it!

You could build a rack using PVC pipe. Works great for us.

Is there any structure design in particular you find to be more sturdy? Can you see the PVC when the quilt is hanging?

Do you have a friend with a truck or someone in your church? If necessary, bargain the exchange of one of your lap quilts for the use of the truck.

Rental yards for heavy equipment should rent ladders reasonably. They have everything from shovels to steam rollers!

My vote as well. Inexpensive, portable and collapsible.

A quick Google search brought this up first:
http://www.quiltfrog.com/QuiltDisplayRack.html

Looks easy enough - especially since HD or Lowe's will cut the pipes to size for you.
I've been meaning to build one so I can take pictures of my quilts - straight on, without people's fingers in the corner, balancing off off balconies or porches.

A photography backdrop stand works great as a quilt stand. They cost more than $20 - but perhaps you have a friend who has one that you could borrow?

I have a friend who uses a folding Japanese screen to display her large quilts in her home. She got it at a garage sale for $5. You've got a couple of months, you might check thrift stores, IKEA, Target...

If you don't want the PVC to show at the top whip stich a sleeve on the back and slide top PVC through it. If you don't mind it showing use skirt hangers at the top of your quilt and hang it. Good luck!

Lowe's won't cut the pvc pipe. At least that is what the store employee told me a month ago. Said they weren't allowed to anymore. I was too frustrated to find a manager to find out if that was true or not. Call first.

I would go to the hardware store and check out the elbows...I would make one that has 2 angled legs on each side and a "rod" to go inbetween. I wouldn't make it any taller than 6'...some craft shows have a 6' tall display limit.

I use the PVC to make a shelter behind my tent for the sun/rain at outdoor craft shows...I can't take the direct sun. I have a whole set up of the pipes plus elbows.

It is pretty simple to cut the pipes if you can't get them cut at the store. Just a hacksaw.
Drape over the rod till off the floor and use a couple of clip clothespins to attach front to back at each side.

Kim, just curious- where in the Rochester area is the show? I love going to new shows and vend at a few in the Webster/ Wayne county area.

There isn't anything easier to cut than PVC pipe. You can either buy a cheap pipe cutting fitter that twirls around the pipe and cuts it, or just cut it with a saw. It's much easier than thin wood. I'm 72 and have no trouble cutting it at all.
Fittings will fit securely but come undone easily if you do not use glue on them. It's all easy-peasy.

MTS has the best idea here - however I would paint it a nice color rather than that stark white. Should totally break down and is light weight enough for you to tote around. Just tie it all together so it's easier to carry. Good luck at the show.

The guild you spoke of may even have a portable rack that they use for taking pictures of their large quilts on. I know ours does and it's what I use when I take the quilt to a venue to sell raffle tickets.

Another thought, years ago I worked in a large office with no walls, we each had these bumper things around us creating small rooms. Maybe you know someone who would be willing to lend you one? Ours were padded to act as sound proofing so that would be good for the quilt to lay on and display it quite well.

This looks like DH could make it! Seems like I should call ahead to the hardware store, though, to see if they'll cut it. Seems a little ridiculous that they wouldn't, unless they sell them in various sizes...

I've applied to enter the "Crafts for a Cause" craft show at the Penfield YMCA. All vendor fees go to the Y's youth programs, and I've opted to donate a raffle item as well. This will be my first show if I'm accepted (it's juried)! My etsy store is called KimKolbQuilts if you want to look at my stuff and get a feel for what I'll be offering. My stock is kind of low right now, I just started. I hope to build up inventory, though. I'm planning on making a few crib-sized and lap-sized rag quilts, maybe a pieced lap quilt as well, plus some large quilt block wall hangings. Then of course all the little things that people like to buy (placemats, potholders, ornaments, quilted christmas cards, etc.).

I'll surely post again if I get into the show, as I'll have a bunch of questions about preparing! I'll let everyone know if I'm accepted or not!

I was actually thinking of making it slightly narrower than the quilt, maybe by a couple of inches. Then I'll make the hanging sleeve (just basted on) slightly short as well. That way, when I hang the quilt, it should cover the sides of the pvc rack. And the "bars" on the ground shouldn't be a problem, since, well, they're on the ground :) I like the link that MTS posted, but I'm a little skeptical about it holding shape and not leaning to one side once a queen sized quilt is on it. I mean...it's heavy! I suppose pvc is pretty sturdy, though. As a plumber's daughter, I am well-acquainted with pvc and pipe fittings. So I guess putting it together wouldn't be so hard! Also, I think I can get a 7.25' pipe in my car with the back seat folded down to the trunk...maybe I'll also have to fold down the front seat. Or maybe I'll borrow DH's larger car :)

These are all great recommendations. Good luck and please keep us posted.:thumbup:

That is the very design we use. Yes, you can see the pvc pipe but it is white so it doesn't look bad.
You just need the scrub the lettering off the pipe. Use a brillo pad and it is gone.

I know the pipe is easy to cut but I couldn't put the long pieces in my car and it was over 110 degrees that day so no way I was driving with the pipe out the window. I wanted them cut in two but the guys said he wasn't allowed. :thumbdown: I found 4 ft pieces but they were heavy walled and too thick. DH drove the truck and picked them up for me, it was on his way to the sporting goods store. LOL

OK, I had to stop by HD anyway this evening (where they have cut PVC pipe for me before for numerous non-quilting related projects).

The unofficial policy at the one closest to me is.....if the guy working in the department feels like it, he'll cut it.
I guess I've just always been lucky.
Go figure.
And I go late on weekdays- 7-8PM.
I'm guessing Saturday afternoon would probably would get me a big fat "no way."

Thanks so much for the research! We don't have a saw, but I'm thinking I probably know at least one person that does. I think I can fit 10' in my car if it's necessary, for the short 15 minute drive home. I'm excited, but I'll hold off on getting the parts until I know whether or not the show accepted me!

I think the PVC pipe rack would suit your purposes. It's cheap to build and easy to transport.

I've done craft shows and would suggest you contact them to see if you "can" be placed against a wall area. If that's not possible, ask you are "able" to display something that high up. Some shows don't want displays taking away from customers looking across the hall (if that makes sense). But the folded door / room divider type idea would work perfectly.

Good luck at your show!!

One quilt display idea is to set a straight chair on top of a table, drape your whole quilt over it & let the point hang down below the table top(arrange it so it forms a V using one corner. The whole quilt covers the chair, tuck the rest in the back. It will be eye level for everyone to see -still have room on table top to put other items. Also a wooden folding clothes rack works to display alot of items too & it would fit in your car. Good Luck!

I'm thinking the PVC frame can be made as a box, or maybe A-Frame for stability and 2 sided?

Go to the local thrift store and buy a folding dryer.....made of wood with dowells that you hang clothes to dry on when its raining outside......probably be able to find one for much less than 20$$$;; Then fold up and hide away in the closet in case you need to dry undies or clothes.

delma

I have a clothes dryer that folds up like that, but the ones I've seen are far too small. I have quilt racks (same size, not collapsable) for my smaller quilts, but I need something that will display a 7.5' square quilt like a curtain, so I'm thinking the PVC pipe rack is for me. I priced it out at the Home Depot - $4.81 for a 10' piece of PVC (1.5"), and I'd need 4 pieces total. Plus about $10.50 for the connectors and end caps brings me to about $32 with tax, which I can live with, though I might try 1.25" diameter to see if it gets significantly cheaper.

I'll let you all know if / when I make it!

This rack system looks so easy to assemble - it's brilliant! Thank you for sharing. In a pinch, I sometimes used an artist's easel....just draped the quilt over it. Invites folks to come and touch.

I use the hanging strips by 3M, you stick one sticky side to the wall and the other to the quilt then push them together. The front of the sticky side is velcro and they hold really well and come in different strengths. I use them to hold pictures as well as quilts and they do not leave any kind of residue on the wall or your quilt. You can get them at Joann's, Hobby Lobby or Michaels and I am sure any store like Target, KMart or Walmart carry them. If they will hold a large picture they will certainly hold a large quilt and they work really well when I change mine around for the various seasons.

We used a rolling chalkboard to display a quilt on. Maybe the Y has one?

An old drying rack may work...the one I have folds into thirds and has 3 rungs on it. You have gotten some other good suggestions! Have a great sale!

My quilting group uses PVC pipe to display all of our quilts at our Fall Fair each year, We pin some of the quilts on or lay them across parts of the pipe- we also must display in a cinder tile room.

Good idea! Those are certainly cheaper than PVC, but that doesn't really help me if I'm in the middle of the room.

Also a good suggestion! I'll ask them if I'm in the show.