My mother loved making quilts in her later years. I always looked forward to what she would come up with next. All different colors, patterns, and sizes. She wasn’t an expert by any means, but today they are treasured family heirlooms.
To learn more about this home as we inherited it almost two years ago and how we renovated it, join me for our Coastal Maine Home Tour, as well as Embracing my Coastal Maine Heritage | Embracing My Roots.
Quilts in the Attic
On a recent trip to the attic and while “Thrifting with the Gals” one Wednesday, I discovered an old trunk that was filled with even more handmade quilts and a few knitted blankets that I wasn’t even aware of.
This inspired me to gather up all my mother’s handmade quilts to fold and display in our downstairs guest bedroom. With all their tears, wrinkles, and tatters.
There was something about these quilts too. Ella, our Bernese Mountain Dog was completely fixated on them while I was folding and decorating with them. I even found her later roaming around the trunk in the attic, as you can see above.
This turned out to be the perfect cozy home decorating project too, as we head into the fall season.
How to Fold a Quilt
Do you have a collection of quilts that you’ve always wanted to display? Do you know how to fold a quilt so it looks pretty for display?
Many people think that you fold a quilt as you would a blanket, me included. But they definitely didn’t look nice folded this way. Much too cumbersome and bulky.
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Then one of you watching my Instagram stories sent me this video. It absolutely worked like a charm. And now I want to share it with you here.
Watch as homeowner Kimberly Kaufman teaches you an easy way to fold your quilts for display!
This folding technique is amazing friends! I laid out each quilt on our dining room table and it took about 5 minutes to fold each one. Super easy.
These treasured heirloom quilts are now folded and displayed beautifully on a vintage dresser in our guest bedroom at our Coastal Maine Home.
And here they are in all their glory. Not perfect, not professionally made, and definitely tattered. But I love the sentiment it adds to this room.
And who knows, maybe I’ll find a pie cabinet to display them in like Kimberly’s:)
How to Display a Quilt
With these heirloom quilts all being different sizes, I arranged them bottom-up from large to small.
I’m also using two additional heirloom quilts on this guest bed and master bed. They’re not just for display purposes around here.
I really believe in enjoying our family heirlooms and not just putting them on display.
You may also enjoy this SMALL COTTAGE GUEST BEDROOM, VINTAGE, AND DELIGHTFUL today.
You may see more of this guest bedroom decorated with blue and white Seersucker bedding from Schweitzer Linen here.
And this time last year getting it all cozy for the fall.
Door Quilt Hanger
Here’s another simple quilt display tip for you. Fan a quilt or blanket and hang it through an embroidery hoop. I used the second smallest one in this package to hang this white vintage blanket on the back of our guest bedroom closet door.
I love how Glo In the Dark Quilting displayed their colorful quilt with an embroidery hoop here.
Simply lay out your blanket, quilt, or towel and fan the top of it. Then hang it into the hoop and fan it all out. Isn’t this such a unique and simple idea to hang a quilt?
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And Ella, still overseeing the heirlooms today.
I’m so glad you dropped by today friend, and if you are new to my blog, welcome! I hope you enjoyed your visit with us here today at our Home in Coastal Maine.
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Very interesting! I had no idea that quilts were folded this way. I’m looking forward to displaying mine.
I didn’t either😂 It made all the difference. You’ll love folding yours up I’m sure of it❤️💚💜
Love the display of your heirloom quilts, first let me say, your Mom was AMAZING! She sounds like a powerhouse, her energy, lives on in you! You have taken up where she left off, and are building your own legacy! Everything you do, is heartfelt, and you always go the extra mile to make your house, a cozy wonderful home! Your Mom & Dad would be proud❤️
Always a fan,
Deb
Oh Deb that’s just the nicest thing to say. Thank you my friend❤️💜💚💙
So, I just refolded all of my family quilts and they look too nice folded the same size in my antique cabinet. Thanks for sharing all of your beautiful quilts!!
I’m so happy to hear this Teresa. Have a great weekend!
I loved watching how to fold a quilt. There is nothing as beautiful as looking at a quilt and all the work that went into it. Such works of art and love.
Wasn’t that so refreshing? I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Very interesting blog post Ann! Loved the tik tok video with Ella. Your mother left you so many wonderful treasures. It is so nice to see you incorporating them into your home.
Thank you so much Lori❤️❤️
The quilts are pretty and love them displayed, I know they must be a heartfelt reminder of your mother when you see them. Well…Ella is just the sweetest girl. I am totally a sucker for photos that include the beautiful furry family members.
Thank you for your kind words Jillian❤️❤️
This is the first time I have seen your blog and truly enjoyed your video on how to properly fold a quilt. I do not have many and some were made by my mother who had limited vision. Even so, they are special! Thank you!
I’m so happy to hear this Kathie💚❤️💙
You have the most beautiful quilts, Ann! And how special that they are treasured family heirlooms. I can never figure out how to fold mine. Can’t wait to go practice.Thanks for sharing your tips. Hi Ella!
Thanks so much, Kim!