comma

Hey guys. New to the forum.

I have a 1930s farmhouse quilt. It has quite a bit of value to me personally, and it is beautiful. I really want to display it. Right now I just have it draped over an antique clothing rack which only allows for half of one side to be viewed.

Everything I can find on displaying antique quilts suggests sewing a sleeve or velcro directly to the quilt. This seems very intrusive and damaging in my opinion. I do not want have to alter the existing quilt.

Does anybody have any alternative options for displaying a quilt like this?

It is roughly 80 x 60" and heavy. Thanks!

bearisgray

One can hand sew hanging sleeves on the back by hand. They can be removed later.

If it is very heavy, maybe put two hanging sleeves on the back to distribute the weight?

HettyB

If you have enough room then perhaps a slant board. You might find this from the Nebraska State Historical Society useful https://history.nebraska.gov/sites/h...Textiles_0.pdf

JenniePenny

I would use a wall mounted heavy drapery rod with metal drapery clips. an example is shown.

sewbizgirl

That's beautiful, JenniePenny!

I sew a sleeve on mine and insert a hanging rod, but I've never tried to hang up such a big heavy quilt. How about displaying it on a bed?

quiltingshorttimer

I was told by a quilt shop owner that conserves antique quilts that old quilts need TLC--so she told my SIL to drape her's over a quilt stand, or a quilt ladder or even on a spare bed--as long as there's not direct (or even indirect) sunlight! And to refold it frequently.

hobbykat1955

I have one hanging o/loft wall. If very heavy then I hang as above on a drapery rod. No damage by hand sewing a sleeve on the back.

toverly

I hang mine also. Love the clips like JenniePenney. If you use cafe curtain rods instead of drapery rods, they will only hang about an inch from the wall.

comma

Thanks so much guys!
I've read in quite a few places that the metal clips are damaging to quilts. Are those a different kind that are pictured above?

Has anyone tried the magnet based quilt mounts? Or wood hangers like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002BZDFT0...0668520_dpLink

Is there any hard in draping it over a thick rod? As mentioned above, right now, it is draped over an antique steel clothing rack (half hanging on either side). Will this cause damage if hun long term?

I do not want to fold the quilt in any way. So hanging or draping are my only real options. And I do not have an extra bed to lay it on unfortunately.

Thanks again!

comma

I should also mention that the quilt is made of old pieces of denim. Not sure if that matters for display methods or not