I think it is about time I got a real home for my quilts. It has been a while since I started quilting, and a quilt collection is inevitable.
I have been storing my quilts on an open regular shelves and basically everywhere before this: on the sofa, layers of them on the bed and stacked here and there.
Quilt cabinet
A quilt cabinet sounds like a very good idea to me. Something that can display the quilt and yet keep it clean from dust.
A couple of month back I went to my local used furniture store and found a cabinet that I feel was perfect for the job.
I have always loved the idea of repainting an old cabinet. It is always fun to see the transformation and the fun colour choices on Pinterest.
Little did I know about refurbishing and old cabinet, I did a little research and off I go to the paint shop. I have previously painted a drawer with a chalk paint which was super easy to do with very minimal sanding required.
is one of those magical paint that I have found to work really easy on cabinets and I love the matte look provided by the paint. However, this time I couldn’t find a chalk paint (I live in quite a rural area) and since I couldn’t wait to just get started, I went ahead and decided to sand it, put a undercoat and go ahead with shiny wooden paint.
Oh boy, little did I know that the sanding process was tedious and I didn’t enjoy it at all. It was quite a struggle trying to complete the project, but the result was okay.
I then painted the cabinet in dark teal colour. I was aiming for dark navy blue, but there weren’t many choices at my local store.
O well, thankfully, I love the colour anyway and still love the shape of the cabinet despite how I regretted the project.
The design of the furniture is probably sort of Mid Century Modern. I have seen many new cabinets are designed this way too.
I love how the design of furniture are making a comeback. It made me think about how fashion always made their comeback to with years passing. Quilts too. There is basically nothing new under the sun. We replicate, improvise or simple choose latest fabric designs and typically replicate what has been done years ago.
Displaying Quilts
The pop of dark teal painted cabinet was the perfect addition to my sewing space. I love it! It sit in front of my machine and I can see the quilts stack from where I sew.
There are also quilts to be quilted in there and it is just calling me to get them quilted soon. One of them on top there is my aviatrix medallion quilt. It has been a while already since it was basted.
O, if only there’s more time in a day. 🙂
I was pretty happy with the result, not perfect but was great. I learned that I did not like to do a painting job and would not attempt to do one any time soon.
How to store quilts
If you don’t have a quilt cabinet just yet, there are other ways you can store your quilts such as:
- layering them on guest beds (when the beds are not in used)
like this is a fun addition to the bedroom too
How do you store your quilts?
Let me know how you store your quilts in the comment below! It is always great to hear your ideas.
7 Comments
I never thought about it before reading this. My quilts are folded and shoved onto shelves, squeezed in here and there, some in blanket storage bags, most not as we are in a VERY small apartment. I can layer them on bed. You have encouraged me to organized them. Thank you.
I have an old gun cabinet that I’m going to refurbish into a quilt cabinet Saw one on Pinterest it was adorable .that is my project after the holidays I’m busy making Christmas gifts right now .
Your quilt cabinet came out lovely! Although, I would feel the same way as you do – I would not enjoy the process of sanding and painting it. I actually have a cabinet that, eventually, I would like to store my quilts in. But now they are in an empty dresser in my spare bedroom. Plus quilt projects in the works are scattered throughout the house.
I like your cabinet very much. I’m no expert, but it looks a little bit like a style called “Shaker”, which refers back to a religious group known as the Shakers. They started in England in the 18th century and emigrated to the US, settling in territory which is now Maine down through Tennessee. I believe they were a split from another sect called Quakers and the term “Shaker” came from a somewhat lively style of worship. They were known for their very plain and simple woodwork. You can often find examples of their handiwork here in Pennsylvania where I live. Their style is still popular here and reproductions are very common.
Most of the quilts I’ve made have been given away, but there will come a day where I’ll need some storage too. I looked at the link you gave for a quilt chest and had to laugh. I actually once had TWO GENUINE Victorian chests like that! After my mother passed away and I was going through her things, I found them in her basement. Unfortunately I was so distraught at losing her that I gave them away. But that was almost 20 years ago. Time changes everything and I now have no regrets, Mom was much more important than a couple of wooden chests. When I need quilt storage, I’ll find something appropriate. Who knows, maybe I’ll find a genuine Shaker cabinet! I actually think that storing quilts as you do keeps them nicely protected from dust and airborne contaminants (and the color you painted your cabinet is lovely.)
I got a bow front cabinet for Christmas to store my quilts in, but I can’t figure out how to fold them to make them fit. If you could give me some advice I would appreciate it.
How tall & how wide is the cabinet? I’m NOT an expert so I guess it depends on the dimensions of your shelves – front to back, side to side, and the height in between them, plus the size of the individual quilts you want to store. You could simply fold them in thirds or quarters lengthwise and lay one on top of the other, However most larger quilts probably would be too big to fit this way. I generally fold my quilts in thirds lengthwise, then “zig-zag” fold them back and forth from end to end – I hope you understand what I mean – and tuck twisted lengths of archival (non-acid) tissue paper in the folds as padding to prevent too much wrinkling. Not perfect, but it’s worked for me. But would doing it this way work in your cabinet? Only you will know. I know others who fold them in thirds then roll them up like a jelly roll. And if you have any quilts which are made with dark reds, dark blues and/or black and have never been washed, I’d wash them with some Color-Catchers a couple of times and makes sure they are COMPLETELY dry before storing. Any moisture, even humidity, might cause bleeding.
Whatever you do however, make sure the quilts are not exposed to strong sunlight and I’d want to know what kind of finish is on your cabinet’s shelves to make sure it isn’t something that could bleed into your quilts. I’d also take them out now and then and “fluff” them in the dryer (air only) for a few minutes to freshen them. Better, you could hang them outside (on a non-sunny day) to air out. Best yet, you could rotate them in and out of the cabinet by using them regularly. Sorry if I’m preaching to the choir with all of this advice, but I know how mad I’d be at myself if messed up any of my own quilts!
Hope this helps you somewhat – good luck!
Is t storing them tricky?! I always have at least two on the back of the sofa for cold evenings. On the spare beds….. Folded in the airing cupboard….
I’m thinking of emptying ‘stuff’ out of a wooden blanket box and using that – then I just have to find a space for the ‘stuff’!!