I kind of like them folded and stacked like the picture on a chair or maybe a trunk - and then I'd swap the top one every couple of days or weeks so that you could see a little more of it.

I also think that one quilt, draped more symmetrically over the back of a sofa (if it's floating in the room) or chair could look nice in a modern home.

Our style is pretty much MCM, but I've been jonesing for a quilt lately myself.

What if you bought some more modern curtain fixtures (I'm thinking West Elm or something from Ikea) that is bold, mounted them on a blank wall, hung a few quilts over it and made that the "art." It'll rotate when you switch your bedding for the season. I'm a big fan of textiles as art. I have some hand-embroidered bath towels (his and hers) that I've mounted in frames and hung up. They get a lot of compliments and honor my collection. :)

It's best not to keep them folded, especially if they're antique. Creases from folding will wear unevenly over time. Flat or rolled with acid-free tissue paper is ideal - my mom keeps our family's antique quilts flat on a guest bed.

Depending on how heavy they are, you could hand sew a pocket sleeve onto the backing and use a dowel or curtain rods to hang the quilt.

I second the curtain rod idea. I bought a plain wooden curtain rod from Kmart to display a kimono, and it works really well.

I like to display quilts on a ladder leaned against a wall. I bought a cool "display" ladder once at World Market.

@ greenquilts -you have a great idea with the use of a display ladder; I think that compliments the rustic qualities that quilts usually have, but is more modern than a quilt rack

does anyone else have suggestions where to buy a display ladder? I'm looking for one myself!

Wow these are great ideas! I especially love the ladder idea. I might use a towel ladder like this one:
http://www.stacksandstacks.com/towel-ladder?id=176&sku=30433&utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase

It is narrow and sleek and I think it could work for a few quilts.

Thanks so much for all of these great suggestions!
-Kathryn

If the safest way to protect antique quilts is to roll them up with acid-free paper, how about rolling them up, then stacking them against each other in some type of large basket -- you'd get an array of color and textures while still protecting them. Another option would be to find a 'container' to put them in and then put a glass top on it and use as an end or coffee table.

I'm a quilter and quilting teacher, so I have tons of quilts and am always looking for good ways to display and store my quilts. For storage, I spread my quilts on my guest room beds -- just stack 'em up -- then put a clean sheet over the top to protect the top one from dust. That way I don't have to worry abut folds.

In my last office I had a wall large enough to display a bed quilt. I put up large binder clips and hung the quilts from that, changing out the quilt about once per month. My team used to like coming in and seeing the current display.

Adding on to CarolineNYC's suggestion, craftsmen make quilt display cabinets/coffee tables like this:
http://lazygalquilting.blogspot.com/2006/03/quilt-display-box.html

You could make your own, possibly from salvaged windows. A friend of mine repurposed her dad's rifle cabinet. This was a great and creative way to use the cabinet her husband had made for her dad -- sentimental and practical!

Dorothy

@marguerida is probably right about the creasing... so maybe you can roll them with acid-free tissue paper, fasten them with some belts or fabric ties to keep them in roll shape, and use them as bolsters?

I went to target and bought some long rods. They were about $20 each. Ran four across the entire length of the wall. Had a carpenter install them for me. Same idea but I'm using paper.

You can see it at http://winterandconstruction.com/large_portfolio/office.html

If you wanted something really strange, then you could always get an enormous glass cylindrical vase, roll up one, two or three of the quilts, insert them inside the vase, then put the vase upside down on the floor to use as a side table.

Apparently Plum Skyes at vogue has a plexiglass cube table filled with hay. So why not?

My suggestion is to get some deep picture frames - the kind intended for shadow-box displays are often 3-4 inches deep. Fold one quilt up in each and hang them on the wall. You will still get a nice sample of each pattern showing, without the quilts dominating the room.

Maybe a clear trunk? See:
http://www.plexi-craft.com/item/Trunk-83

Here's a semi-contemporary idea- go do the hardware store and buy closet dowels and basic corbels... paint the high gloss white and mount them to the wall in a staggered pattern up your wall. Drape the quilts over the dowels for a rotating art display and an easy way to access coziness year round. Bonus on this - it insulates the wall, so if you have a part of your house that is particularly drafty, this could help you out!

Good luck!
Nicole

I agree with the drapery rod suggestion. There are may sleek modern rods that will serve the purpose. Please do not use wooden rods. Wood contains acids that can be damaging to textiles. For those who already have wooden rods, the vinyl shower curtain rod covers will protect the quilt. Even with metal or vinyl rods, I highly recommend placing a few layers of acid-free tissue paper between the quilt and the rod. Enjoy!

Lots of good ideas.

Another that comes to mind is draping one over a table - like a side table, lamp table, or writing table - in a bedroom maybe - or hallway - the way the Dutch masters' paintings show persian rugs draped over tabletops.

Another option for the ladder route would be the cb2 slat rack, although I'm sure the dimensions would necessitate folding, which may not be for the best, depending on the state of your quilts....

Don't use wood or plastic or baskets to store or display textiles for any length of time - they leach acid (wood) or outgas (plastic/plexi) - covering a wood rod with plastic is a bad idea. There are special varnishes conservators use for wood to prevent it from being a problem. I use metal curtain rods when I want to hang things, and keep them away from the painted surface.

It is OK to fold things - just not prolonged periods of time and not with weight on the folds.

These are probably too narrow, but they're the only modern things I've seen that would let you display textiles http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=598&f=5501&fromLocation=search and http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=477&f=4777&fromLocation=search I keep talking myself out of getting the second one.

I have the Grundtal towel stand from Ikea. It works like an oldfashioned quilt rack and holds up to six quilts. And it is quite cheap and looks very modern.

I think an easy way would be to use bulldog clips (the metal ones that are usually used to hold files/ a lot of paper together).

You would need two per quilt- one for each of top corners and then hang the clip onto small nails (the clips usually have holes through them at the top).

I hope that makes sense!

I plan on using this method to hand a cow hide on my wall.

The most recommended way to display a quilt on a wall is to sew a sleeve onto the back of your quilt because it provides the best support. Using any type of clamping hanger is not recommended because of the potential to damage the fabric. This is why you see it done this way in quilt shows and museums. A simple whip stitch is all that is needed to sew on the sleeve and it does not interfere with the use of the quilt if you decide to take it down and use it. It can also be easily removed. Once you have the sleeve on there are many decorative ways to hang your quilt as mentioned in earlier posts. We have quilts hung all over our house and like to rotate them around through the seasons. Just a simple dowel on a couple of nails has worked fine for many years, but you do get quite a few nail holes if you change your quilts like we do. Now I use a quilt hanger that I saw in American Quilter Magazine called the hang it dang it quilt hanger. It's adjustable for different size quilts and it's self leveling. My wife can hang her quilts now by herself and I can get rid od all the extra nail holes in my walls. Of course the best choice for you is the one you choose and there are alot of great ways to enjoy your quilts.