Exhibiting Quilts Safely
This article originally appeared in Exchange,
a newsletter published by the Wisconsin Historical
Society. (Volume 29,
Number 1, Winter 1987). It is the 27th in a series of articles titled Conservation Corner.
The series features information about maintaining
an adequate environment for the storage and exhibition
of historical collections, employing proper collection
care techniques, and recording and cataloging historical
collections. This article was written by Tom McKay,
retired local history coordinator for the Wisconsin
Historical Society.
Although the collections of local historical societies contain a seemingly endless variety of materials documenting the diverse histories of the communities they represent, common denominators exist that appear in nearly every local history museum collection. Historic quilts fall into that common denominator category. They are found in most local historical societies and have several different potential exhibit uses. A historic quilt can be an appropriate bedcovering in a period setting. In an interpretive exhibit on "making do" a quilt might serve as an example of material from worn-out goods turned to a new use. A museum with a large collection might be able to create an entire exhibit devoted to the historic craft of quilting. While the list of exhibit uses could go on, local historical societies can only consider exhibiting quilts when they know how to do so safely.
Visitors will have the best opportunity to appreciate a quilt's pattern and a quilt is in the least danger of damage from strain or creases along folds, if it can be exhibited completely open. The most obvious way to exhibit an open quilt is to display it as the covering on an historic bed. This also probably represents the safest method of display because the quilt is fully supported from below. While this technique suits a period setting, an exhibit with many quilts or one that uses a quilt interpretively at a particular point in its story presents a different challenge. In these situations, exhibiting quilts completely open will probably require hanging them against the exhibit walls or surface.
The first step in exhibiting a quilt is examining it thoroughly. The quilt top, the stitching and the backing should all be intact. Check for tears in the fabric and for weakened or pulled stitching. Silk and satin crazy quilts demand special attention because age weakens and embrittles these materials more rapidly than cotton fabrics. Unusual puckers or bulges in the batting of any type of quilt may indicate that the stitching has given way in those areas. When examining a quilt, keep in mind that hanging a quilt on display causes greater strain than laying it flat. A quilt that can be safely exhibited as a bedcovering may be too weak to hang in an exhibit.
If a quilt is sturdy enough to hang in an exhibit, an acceptable method of display involves the use of a closet pole and a cloth sleeve made of unbleached muslin. The sleeve is sewn to the back of the quilt. Begin making the sleeve by cutting a strip of unbleached muslin that is six inches wide and as long as the width of the quilt. Fold the strip of muslin lengthwise, turn in the edges, and sew a seam to create a long, three-inch-wide sleeve. Sew the muslin sleeve to the quilt backing along the complete length of both the top and bottom crease of the sleeve. The stitches should attach the sleeve to the quilt backing. They should never penetrate the front surface of the quilt.
A closet pole, one inch in diameter, can be slipped through the muslin sleeve and used to hang the quilt. Cut the pole four inches longer than the sleeve. Sand the pole and seal its surface with paint or shellac. After it is slipped through the sleeve, picture wire or heavy monofilament line can be attached to each end of the pole. The wire or line will fasten to picture hanging hardware installed on the exhibit walls or surfaces. Appropriate hardware will depend on the exhibit surface; but whatever hardware is used, it must be anchored securely. If not, the weight of a heavy quilt may provide an unpleasant surprise.
Throughout the process of readying quilts for exhibition, they require careful handling. Carry quilts draped over both arms for maximum support. A large, flat counter or table should be available for examining quilts and attaching the muslin sleeves. While hanging the quilts, three people will be needed to have enough hands to support the quilt and safely manage the pole and wires.
Quilts may also require special precautions during the period they
are on display. Although people may love rubbing the fabric between
their fingers and saying "nice material," this can only soil and damage
the quilts. Stantions and rope barriers or tasteful "do not touch" signs
may avert some unnecessary harm. Light presents an even greater concern.
Never display quilts in direct sunlight and do not place quilts on
permanent exhibition. Intense light or long-term exposure to lower
levels of light will weaken and fade fabrics. This damage cannot be
reversed. After the public has had a reasonable chance to enjoy the
exhibit, return the quilts to proper storage.
Historic quilts preserve the beauty of the maker's art and a record of everyday life in the past. Both as record and art they should be shared with the visitors to local history museums. By employing careful exhibition methods today, these fragile artifacts will also be available to share with future generations of museum visitors.
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