10 Great ways to use your favorite quilt…maybe a couple that you would never have thought of –
In honor of my upcoming interview with quilt making guru SpoolHardyGirl, Mary Miller, I started thinking about all of the great ways I have used my favorite quilts. I came up with 8 ways that I think everyone should take advantage of.
Handmade quilts are tougher than you might imagine. They are built (sewn) to last through the years and for many purposes. I have a few vintage quilts that were passed down from my grandmother, to my mother and now I happily use and abuse them, wash them and love them. Quilts should be cherished as long-time members of the family, they gain patina through years of service and love.
The beauty of handmade quilts is that they are a bit like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike. There are traditional “rules” to quilting and as it should be in any art form there are the quilters who push the limits and color outside of the lines – I love them all – there is nothing like a great quilt. A great quilt is one that I want to hang on the wall like a beautiful piece of art and that is idea #1 – A beautiful and interesting quilt can add color and interest to a wall, especially if you don’t have a lot of other artwork yet. I also saw this idea of hanging a quilt at the head of the bed in lieu of a headboard! Great idea!
Hang this gorgeous quilt on the wall! ⇓
This one feels traditional and modern all at the same time, making it perfect to hang on so many walls. I would kill to have this quilt from Lillie Mae Pettway, 1927-1990 of Gee’s Bend quilting fame on any wall in my house. That counts as ideas #1 and 2.
Using your quilts as upholstery fabric – Idea #3. Fun, eclectic and durable – quilts used as upholstery fabric can give life to any old chair and one or two complementary quilts, that might be a little frayed at the edges, can be brought back to life as upholstery.
Spring, summer and fall – using your quilts to dress up your terrace or fire pit area is adorable and practical. When the evening gets chilly you and your friends can wrap up in the quilts and continue the outdoor party in style – Brilliant idea #4…also works on the front porch with a good book!
Wrap up in a beautiful quilt on the porch with a good book
Use quilts as window treatments! Idea #5 – Above are patchwork curtain panels from Urban Outfitters – not technically quilts but give a similar look and feel.
Above is a more traditional style quilt used as a window treatment. It is so easy to just clip the quilt to rings on a rod or you can use drapery pins and attach the quilt to the rings. It is easy to adjust the length by filing over the top and you can create a sort of header valance showing the back of the quilt. They will help insulate against cold too!
Turn your quilts into decorative pillows – Idea #6. The time button flag pillows are more folk art but I think they are fun – you can buy these on Ebay from Old Flag. The red and white pillows are actually from Pottery Barn – so they are on the quilt bandwagon too. The crazy quilt pillow is from a fun blog trashmagination.com and the traditional bright and cheerful quilt pillows are from NancyCreative.com. If you have your own quilts and don’t like to sew, it is easy to find a workroom in your area – just google drapery workrooms.
A few last ideas, in case you are still wondering what to do with your beautiful quilts – don’t be afraid USE THEM – don’t hoard them in the linen closet!
Quilt in recycled denim is begging to be used as a picnic blanket – Idea #7! Head into the wild and sit and eat. This one comes from Houseful of Handmade. Check them out!
I could not resist these two – Idea #8 – Rustic Wedding Chic is a blog that highlighted this fun use of quilts for guest seating at a rustic wedding. Of course, this can be adapted for so many rustic outdoor functions. Great idea!
Of course, we could not write a post about great uses for a quilt without stating the obvious – Idea #9 – Quilts on the bed! This one adds punch and warmth to a comfy guest room. SpoolHardyGirl’s handmade masterpiece is so much fun!
Bohemian chic is a great look and ageless in popularity – a few bright colored quilts can add color and style to a room – hang them over the backs of chairs or just stack them for use whenever! Idea #10.
So everyone get out your quilts and if you don’t have one….get one…or two!!
Mary says
I LOVE the idea of using quilt tops as window treatments! When the light shines through an un-quilted top, it looks just like stained glass. So pretty!