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Friday, September 25, 2015

Quilt Storage Out of the Box!

A few weeks ago, I wrote about having a storage dilemma for holiday quilts.  You know, those quilts you only use once a year.  I asked for your advice and ideas on how you handle this issue.  I received many wonderful comments to the post I wrote and I thank everyone for helping me  (click here to see my original post and comments.)

I received an email from Marcia B. that I thought was particularly inspiring, and asked her if I could share her ideas with all of you.  Happily, she said YES!

Marcia writes that she discovered awhile ago that she can layer one quilt on top of another so that the borders and other elements of the quilt underneath peek out from behind.  The black applique borders of the bottom quilt extend past the red print border of the quilt on top of it, making it look like a whole new quilt!  So, so cute!  

Notice there are two quilts on the very top, turned on point, and flipped over, so only the backings are showing.  One has the black and white checked binding (a Christmas quilt), and the other a red binding (an autumnal quilt).  This idea, she says, makes her think a lot more about what fabric she chooses for backing.  Great idea, don't you agree?! 
Marcia goes on to say "Using my larger quilts folded with the backs showing and layering them over the backs of chairs is now common practice in my house.  I don't always want the front to be on display, but if its season oriented, it gets turned around and used for the color or the theme (this quilt with ticking is a large Halloween quilt.)  It helps me not to get tired of looking at the same quilt over time, as if it isn't even there anymore....like any decorating."  With the small dining room she has, Marcia can "store" seven or more quilts without any of them "clashing or overpowering the space with too much color or pattern.  This makes me happy" she says.  

Marcia layers quilts even when she's showing the fronts.  Looks so very comfy!!

Displaying the back of her quilts means that Marcia's labels will also be on display.  Marcia purposely centered the label on the backing so that when she folded the quilt into thirds, the label would be in just the right spot to show it off.  Notice the blue bird?

Marcia cleverly tucked the important label information under the bird's wing!!  She says "I'm a big fan of paper folding, and this came into play by designing the wing of the bird to unfold as a heart with the information inside.  The wing then buttons closed which was labor intensive but worth the effort."  We wholeheartedly agree!!  She goes on to say "the black backing fabric really shows off the labels, and also looks great."  I really, really does!  

Marcia says "I now challenge myself to come up with creative labels and color specific backings to make the layering even better.  It has given me a unique way to make my quilts standout a bit, and has opened my mind to possibilities that I never would have thought to do.  I do more labels on the front than on the back, and "hiding" them is so much fun!"

Notice the sashing print to the bottom right of the wing applique.  

Marcia told me "The flap above looks a bit like a regular sashing between the flags.  It is re-enforced with light interfacing and hand quilted before being sewn in place along with another flap that will be the actual label.  it doesn't take away from the overall design and works well for a wall hanging quilt."  How wonderful is that?!!  

I leave you with more of Marcia's lovely words as she writes "Our homes are the gallery of our works in fiber art. "  Marcia...you are absolutely right, and I have truly been inspired by you and your gorgeous quilts!  

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your beautiful quilts and ideas with us all.  

18 comments:

  1. Lovely ideas of both displaying and labelling quilts. Thanks so much to both of you!

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  2. Great suggestions, Marcia! Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Some very clever ideas there. Thank you both for sharing..

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  4. Wow!! Loved the displays and the labeling techniques! Marcia's quilts are amazing...especially love the borders (black and white and red) on the quilt in the first picture!! Gorgeous...makes me want to reach in and lift off those other quilts to see the whole thing!! :o))

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  5. I have to agree with the "Wow"! What great ideas to make her beautiful quilts even more special. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  6. Wow those are great ideas, thank you both for sharing them. I love the label idea, especially the back label, gives you two quilts in one.
    Hug Karen

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  7. Wow so creative - what great ideas - and so much fun too!

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  8. Very creative! Does Marcia have a blog to follow??
    Donna

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  9. Some really fun ideas here. Thanks for sharing them with us!

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  10. Loved seeing all these clever ideas that Marcia uses to display her quilts - you didn't share if she has a blog or not - sure hope so! If not, she needs to start!

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  11. Absolutely beautiful quilts and labels and wonderful ideas!!

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  12. A huge thank you to Marcia ... yes, great ideas! I'm wondering if she would share the pattern name of the bottom quilt in your second photo (with the black and khakit and then red berries)???? It has piqued my interest. Great ideas.

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    1. I would also love to see the whole quilt and know the pattern nare of the red, black and tan quilt at the bottom of the table display. I really love all of these display ideas! Thank you for sharing them.

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  13. very good ideas..I just did a label lesson for my guild..I will tell them about these cool ideas and the layering..Marcia, you are now famous! Thanks to both of you for sharing!

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  14. I loved this segment on Marcia, she is so inspiring.. Thanks

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