Make Room for Quilts
Remember that quilt you never quite finished? Or the one that's been sitting up in the attic for ages? It's time to display it with these creative ideas. Use one or all to show off those less-than-perfect projects as well as your favorite spreads.
Photo: © Laura Moss; produced by Eddie Ross
As a Pillow
A small quilt or an unfinished piece begs for a new life as a bolster pillow-and you don't even have to cut it to make one. Center a 4x4-foot piece (the quilt at left is designed by Blue Nickel Studios with Anna Maria Horner's "Good Folks" fabrics) on a 36 x 18-inch pillow. Fold the sides over the back of the pillow, secure with diaper pins, then fold over the top and bottom and pin. Tip: If your sofa is patterned (say, navy stripes), make a pillow out of a quilt that has contrasting prints in the same color family (like an aqua floral).
Photo: © Laura Moss; produced by Eddie Ross
As a Bed Canopy
Make your little girl's dream of snoozing underneath a canopy come true. Screw in two ceiling hooks above the bed, each positioned about a foot from the wall and 6 inches in from the bed's sides. Gather the short ends of a king-size quilt into two equal bunches, then tightly tie each with 1 1/2-inch grosgrain ribbon. Slip the ribbon onto the hooks and fluff the folds to conceal the hardware. And don't be afraid to mix eras- this vintage quilt plays off the more modern pillow and spread made with fabric from Amy Butler's "Love" collection.
Photo: © Laura Moss; produced by Eddie Ross
As a Tablecloth
Bring the picnic indoors: Drape a machinewashable coverlet over a table to add homespun charm to a brunch or casual dinner. A table that seats six calls for a queen-sized quilt (like this Antique Postage Stamp Quilt from L.L. Bean). Stick to a design with a small pattern and simple tableware (think white plates, napkins in a pale color) so that the quilt can be the star.
Photo: © Laura Moss; produced by Eddie Ross
As a Shower Curtain
Rig up a homemade version using curtain rings with clips and a pretty bedcover (we used Pottery Barn's Lucca Patchwork Quilt). First, test to be sure the rod can support the weight of the quilt. String the rings on your rod, then clip them onto the hem every 3 inches or so (you may need to fold over the top hem just slightly so that the bottom doesn't drag on the floor). Because mold and mildew breed in bathrooms, you'll need to use a waterproof shower curtain liner and take down the quilt periodically to launder it.
Photo: © Laura Moss; produced by Eddie Ross
Discover new household uses for an old shower curtain liner.
As a Table Skirt
What's behind the curtain? Thanks to this clutter concealer, no one will ever know. To make it, measure the height of your table and cut the quilt lengthwise to that measurement. Then fold it in half widthwise and cut it in two along the fold. Place the bound edges in the center front and at the bottom; starting at the front and working toward the sides, staple-gun the raw edge of each piece every few inches to the top edge of the table. Cut off any excess fabric at the back. Finish by gluing on 2-inch-wide grosgrain ribbon to hide the staples and the raw edge.
Photo: © Laura Moss; produced by Eddie Ross
As a Seat Cushion Cover
Reupholstering can be pricey, but by salvaging a scrap of a quilt and doing the job yourself, you-and your wallet-will be sitting pretty. Remove the chair's existing cushion, center the fabric on it and flip it over. Staple-gun the fabric about an inch from the underside edge, every 2 inches or so, starting with the center of each side and smoothing and tightening the fabric as you work toward the corners. Take care with the corners, folding as needed to create streamlined edges. Trim the excess fabric.
Photo: © Laura Moss; produced by Eddie Ross
Original article appeared on WomansDay.com.
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