THE LAST WORD

Show off your quilts

Have you reached ‘peak quilt capacity’? Amanda Carye has ways to put those quilts back in the limelight!

Sometimes we reach ‘peak quilt capacity’, but don’t let yours sit on the shelf – Amanda Carye shares her top ways to give them the limelight!

I’ve got stacks of quilts. They’re stacked on the couch. They’re stacked in a display cupboard. They’re stacked in closets. They’re even stacked on a spare kitchen chair. And if I’m being totally honest, I’m never going to use them all. I’ve given as many as I can as gifts to friends and family, but I know I’m reaching their limit of patience for ‘quilts as gifts’. But what’s a quilter to do…?

1 START A ROTATING ‘EXHIBITION’ OF QUILTS

Living in an apartment means wall space is at a premium, but a couple of spots are perfect for a quilt! I like to rotate my favourites as if they’re part of a travelling exhibition (even if they’re just travelling from the closet to the wall once a year). And, as a bonus, it’s a great way to air the quilts out.

2 MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MINI QUILTS

Why not turn them into throw or floor pillows for an instant home décor upgrade? Just like my rotating quilt ‘exhibition’, I like to rotate my pillows every season (or whenever I feel like or remember to do it) and every time it feels like I’ve given my living room a makeover without spending a dime.

3 GOT A ‘HEARTY’ QUILT ON HAND?

I once made a quilt out of denim and honestly, it’s the coolest picnic blanket we’ve ever had. I’ve been thinking about giving it a little upgrade and adding a strap so I can easily roll it up and carry it, but until then, it folds up perfectly into a tote bag for easy transport to and from the park!

4 TO CUT UP OR NOT TO CUT UP?

That is the question… There are different schools of thought when it comes to cutting up antique quilts to turn into quilt coats, but if it’s your own quilted creation, I’m firmly in the camp of ‘do whatever makes you happy’. No judgement! Do you have a favourite big quilt that you never use? Why not turn it into a quilt coat for yourself? You might have to get creative with the piecing, but I think a little ‘crazy’ patchwork makes a quilt coat look that much cooler.

5 GIVE TO GOOD CAUSES

This year I’ve really ramped up donating my quilts to different causes and initiatives. There are so many wonderful organisations out there looking for quilts and your generous gift will make a real difference to someone who needs it! Just have a quick internet search and you’re sure to find one near you. And every time I donate, it’s so heartwarming to think that the quilt will be put to good use.