Giving Away Quilts – and the Prep that Goes with It
My inventory of quilts has gotten just WAY too big! I estimate that I have 250 in the house. Granted, some of them are only 5 x 7, but most are poster sized or larger. Of course, they’re not all master pieces, but they’re still nice enough to hang as art. So, I decided to give away some of them, starting with my nieces and nephews. I let each of them pick one and started prepping the hanging gear.
This is my dining room table now, (at the end of several days of work.)
Each quilt has a hanging sleeve on the back and I cut a wooden slat to fit into it. Typically the quilts are hung with 2 nails. The slat and the sleeve have corresponding holes. The slat shown below fits into the white quilt that’s face down. (Oops, I drilled an extra nail hole.)
Once inserted, I feel around for the hanging holes and cut corresponding “wounds” in the sleeve.
It all hangs very nice and flat on the wall.
But, sometimes a different method is called for. For instance, some of these are going to apartment dwellers, who can’t use nails in their walls. In that case, I still use a sleeve and slat. But, this time, I staple half of a Command Strip through the sleeve and slat. The staples go through far enough to make it all secure, but not so far as the protrude out the front. The corresponding half of the Command strip is velcroed in place and it’s ready to go.
Once the hardware is handled, the quilts are rolled onto pool noodles, right sides facing out. I wrap them in fabric and they’re ready for shipping. (Although in this case I’ll be hand delivering five quilts. Three are wrapped together in the brown roll. Those recipients live near one another.)
It’s very satisfying to see them all prepped and ready to go. I’ll see my nieces and nephews at an upcoming family reunion and I’m looking forward to handing them off.
I’m feeling good about this.
Is your inventory growing? What do you do the not-quite-show-worthy ones?
Ellen Lindner
That’s a cool idea with the command strips. I wish I would have seen that a few years ago when I had an exhibit. If you need to adopt any nieces let me know!
Lucky nieces and nephews!
Hi Darcy,
Yes, the Command Strips work really well. I’ve used them quite a few times.
Thanks for your comment!
I dont have an inventory of quilts but I do think you should feel really great about this….what a joy to be able to see their excitement upon receipt of the gift. I bet it is very neat to see which ones which person chose…and dont you know you will get the benefit of their continued thanks and appreciation. None of this would be experienced if someone were burdened with doing the distribution after “you were gone.” Makes so much sense to do now. I do know the “things” I am gifting now (jewelry, heirlooms, art) give me satisfaction beyond imagination. Kudos.
Hey Cindy,
You’re right on every count. I’m looking forward to doing more of this.
I’d love to hear ideas about doing some sort of giveaway (for a cause?). I have a closet full of older pieces. I don’t want to devalue my more recent work by declaring these have ZERO value, but I don’t have a bunch of nieces/nephews, either. I’ve been pondering this challenge for awhile. Will follow the comments here to see what others have to say!
Hi Candace,
Yes, it’s a quandry. Giving away to a charity might be a solution for you. Especially if the charity can use it for fund raising. Like with a silent auction, etc. We don’t want them to become dog blankets! My local guild asks for donations of small quilts (12 x 12 or so) for an auction they do at their quilt show.
Like you, I’ll be continuing to work on this issue. After this giveway, I’ll still own ~241 quilts!
I have given some to a shelter for unwed mothers and their babies.
Hmm, interesting. You’ve got me thinking. Maybe I could give some as decorations for the new Habitat for Humanity houses.
What a great idea. I’m sure the recipients are going to be thrilled.
Yes, I think they’re pretty happy about it. Most of them are in their twenties or early 30’s, so their art budgets are low. They’ll be glad to have something new for the their walls.
Take them downtown to the homeless shelter
Well, they’re not big enough to give much warmth.
Ellen, this is wonderful info – thank you for sharing! I love the Command Strip process that you shared. A few months ago, after someone in a quilt group shared info about using foam core board inserted into corner triangles, I started using that (with a picture hanger glued to it and a screw-hole cut out under it) – and it works great; but never even thought about Command Strips as a possibility – going to give that a try! I’ve gathered some great info here, too, for sharing my (growing collection of) art quilts – a big thank you to you and also to fellow commenters here.
Hi Teresa,
The method you’ve described sounds like it would work well. I’d love to see a photo.
I’m glad you’ve been gleaning some helpful information from posts and comments. Thanks for adding to that!