How To Display a Quilt

Now that you have made a Challenge Quilt or other small quilt, it is time to decide how you want to display it. Here are some options (pictures and information courtesy of Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative).

"Fast Finish" Triangles
Invented by Terry Chilko to quickly create a place for a small dowel, the quilt can be hung on a single nail behind the quilt. The nail will never be seen, it is super easy to get the quilt to hang straight, and it is fast and easy to make.

Simply insert a small dowel, chop stick, skewer, or stiff plastic drinking straw under the top triangles. Pound a nail in the wall and balance the quilt on the nail.

Your quilt can have four Fast Finish Triangles. Sometimes this helps curling quilts behave. A second dowel, chop stick, skewer, or stiff plastic drinking straw goes under the bottom triangles to keep the bottom of the quilt from curling.

Note that the triangles can be different sizes. They will still work. Learn how to make Fast Finish Triangles.
     

Traditional Quilt "Sleeve"
Traditionally, a sleeve is a tube of fabric, or casing, stitched to the back of the quilt, running from side to side. It is sometimes called a "rod pocket."

A flat piece of wood or dowel is inserted through the sleeve. In small quilts it is best to drill a hole through each end of the wood and tie fishing line to the wood. The fishing line (and your small quilt) can be hung on a single nail. (The nail will show. So will the fishing line. Decorative hooks can be purchased at a hardware department and look better then a nail.)

Hanging Ring
Hanging rings are usually just plastic drapery rings stitched to the back of the quilt. Pound a nail in the wall and hang the quilt. The nail will be concealed behind the quilt. The quilt will only hang flat if the ring is stitched exactly in the middle of the quilt. Measure twice; sew once.

Or use a snap-off pull tab from a soda can! Hey, it works.

Picture Hook
This is more adjustable than simply sewing a ring to the quilt back. A buy-it-at-the-hardware-store metal picture hook on the back of the quilt, offers slightly more options. Can be clunky, but easy to hang the quilt level..

Plain Back
If your quilt has a plain back it can be displayed in an inexpensive plate stand, set the quilt in the stand, and enjoy it that way. The quilt should be stiff enough to support its own weight. If it isn't, try putting a piece of cardboard behind it; you could even use double-stick tape to help it adhere to the cardboard if needed,

Pictures and information courtesy of Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative