My father passed away recently and upon a visit to my mother I noticed the quilts I had made him were nowhere to be found. I asked Mom where the quilts were and her reply sent me reeling: she had decided to put them in her attic crawl space in a garbage bag.
My mom’s crawl space is filled with various possessions from my past. Toys, clothing that I will never wear again, the shovel I broke trying to shovel her deck last year… well you get the idea. The concerning issue was that the crawl space was also filled with free-standing insulation and mold from condensation and humidity. I decided it was time to have a talk with her about the proper ways to store quilts to maintain their beauty and integrity. Needless to say, the quilts are now with me, stored safely and properly.
In this article, I’d like to share some of my tips with you. But where to begin? There is a lot to talk about when it comes to how to store quilts. Perhaps we’ll begin with a list of “shall nots”:
1. Thou shalt not store a quilt in a plastic container or bag. This method often causes mold and mildew because it traps in any moisture, causing fibers to break down and leaving discoloration and staining. Another issue would be that plastic attracts insects.
2. Thou shalt not store your quilts with mothballs. The mothballs not only leave an odor that will not leave, but there is an ingredient in mothballs that will also break down fibers.
3. Thou shalt not store quilts in direct sunlight. Your fabrics will fade when placed in direct sunlight for long periods of time.
4. Thou shalt not store quilts in cedar or hope chests. Raw wood produces acid that is bad for textiles.
5. Thou shalt not store your quilt in a basement or attic. You will want to store your quilts in living areas of your home where the humidity and temperature is most constant.
6. Thou shalt not store too many folded quilts on top of one another. This will cause creases that will be difficult if not impossible to get out.
7. Thou shalt not keep the same quilts hanging for long periods of time. You need to change them out every 3 to 6 months to give them a rest from hanging and from any UV rays they are exposed to. Please take note that when hanging on wooden quilt racks you need a barrier between the quilt and the wood. Prolonged exposure will create brown spots where your quilt and wood were in contact.
8. Thou shalt not store quilts with newspaper or in cardboard boxes. They are full of harmful decaying agents. Have you seen what dishes packed in newspaper look like? Consider what it would do to your quilts.
9. Thou shalt not use colored tissue paper when folding your quilts to prevent creasing. Colored tissue paper contains dyes that can easily transfer to your quilt.
So now that we’ve covered the “shall nots,” now it’s time for some “how-to.”
Layering: Layering your quilts on a guest bed is a great way to store your quilts. Every time a guest visits, use that as a reminder to rotate your quilt for the next guest. How do you do this? Take the top quilt off the bed and move it to the bottom of the stack. Simple.
Batting Tube: Another great way to store your quilt is in a used batting tube. You may want to cover it with cloth though in case you aren’t sure if the tube is free of chemicals.
Folding: Lastly, a great way to store your quilt is to simply fold, especially if it is larger than a twin-size. To do this properly, you will fold over one-third of the quilt on top of itself, and then fold the remaining third over on top of the section you just folded. It is always a good idea to use acid free white tissue paper crumpled inside the folded areas to prevent creases.
Next, you will fold one-third of the folded quilt over again, and fold the remaining third on top of the area you just completed. Tissue paper may be used again if you choose to do so. When finished you will turn the quilt over and place it in a muslin sack or pillow case.
Remember, these tips are intended for your more heirloom-quality quilts that you want to preserve for future generations to enjoy. But really, shouldn’t every quilt you make be considered an heirloom? The definition of an heirloom is something that is passed down through generations, and most quilters hope that their quilts will be treated as such. After all, the individuals who made the quilts that hang in museums today had no idea that’s where they would end up!
Happy quilting!
More in this Series:
Quilt Care Part 1: Cleaning Heirloom Quilts
Quilt Care Part 2: Labeling and Displaying Quilts
Get in touch! Leave a comment or email editor@nationalquilterscircle.com.
25 Responses to “Quilt Care Part 3: Storing Your Quilts”
My grandma made many quilts and hand quilted them all. No labels but with the instructions that they were to be used not stored away. And she would check and make sure the quilt was on their beds. My quilts are to be used so they can wrap up in my love
It would be nice to be able to have a print friendly version of instructions without pictures. Most of us need to be frugal with paper and ink. thanks for considering it.
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Sarah
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
Went to a quilt talk recently carrying an antique quilt. The speaker said you could store it in a plastic bin, but it had to include something called poly………Had nothing to write it down with, and, of course cannot remember the ingredient. ????
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Can I store several quilts on an unused bed by stacking then covering with a sheet or put a sheet between each?
Thanks
Dear R S,
Thank you for contacting us.
That’s a great idea, I don’t know too many that have an extra bed to do this. I would make sure to have the sheet in between is a cotton sheet.
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Are pool noodles an option for hanging on a rack or eliminating ceases?
You say not to store in cedar chest. Is it safe if wrapped in something such as a pillow case?
Hello Barbara,
I would still not recommend it. The acids that can be produced by the wood of the chest can effect the pillowcase just as it would the quilt.
Cheers,
Ashley
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
I’ve read for years that it’s best to fold a quilt diagonally (on the bias) as another way prevent creases. When I went to look for instructions to share here, I was surprised to find that NQC had done a video on this back in 2016 which I’d have expected to have been part of this article. The link for the video demonstrating this is on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxM6xXkJ4ao
Clothes hung outside can often be hit with birds or insect droppings, drying outside would be best for a quilt but cover with a large sheet for protection also is helpful and protect from harsh sunlight. Draping over an additional line to prevent hanging pressure also good!
I have enjoyed some of your free videos
Is there a printer friendly version of the “Quilt Care Part 3: Storing your Quilts”?
Hello Carolyn,
I am sorry there is not another version of this article available. You may need to adjust your printer settings.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
I roll my quilts and place them in a cotton pillow case and store in the closet.
Thank you, I’m giving it for Christmas and was worried about keeping it folded all that time.
Thank you, I’m giving it for Christmas and was worried about keeping it folded all that time.
I have two large wooden chests – one is cedar, but very old. I roll several smaller quilts around a pool noodle, smallest on the inside. making a big sausage shape. This way I avoid putting creases in my quilts. The larger quilts lie on beds, hang on a large wall rack, or are stacked in the linen closet. I try to rotate them through the 3 locations. I made two lovely quilts for my sister, which she hung in her bedroom windows – delighted to see that the sun made them look like stained glass. I didn’t say anything, but decided that it would be wall hangings and place mats from then on.
I have made a quilt for grandson who is 7ys old it is for HS graduation how do I keep it for all those years
Mary, I am doing the same for all of my grands and greats, but instead of graduation they are for weddings. I know I won’t be around for many of them as the youngest great is 3, but I am starting to make them. How do you store them? That is a good question.
Thanks for this. Just unstacked all my quilts, laid them out flat on a spare bed, and Im going to cover with a sheet, in case my cat gets in my quilting room and decides to lay on the top.
Enjoyed this information on preserving quilts stored. Thank you
I don’t think that most quilts are meant to be stored. I make my quilts to be used. It makes me happy to see the quilts I have made for family being drug around and tossed on the sofa to snuggle up in.
That’s not realistic…if you have pets or worse teens something your now deceased mother made could get ruined, or worse, walk off to a sleep over never to return. And my baby quilt? I’m supposed to use that forever? Again, ruined and, how many baby’s can I have in succession? Somethings are for keeping, others utilitarian.