ABC of Quilting Post # 26

We've come to the end of the series! Aww...

So today's topic is

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Zoom ahead : Quilt display and care, Quilt Photography.

Quilt Display

There are numerous options when it comes to quilt displays.

First you can have a formal quilt sleeve sewed into the backing and use a dowel  to hang the quilt.

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If your quilt does not have a sleeve, you can use pins, closely spaced, to make one.

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The display could be of a single quilt 

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or smaller wall quilts.

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Quilts can be also displayed on ladders or quilt stands.

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The greatest advantage is that they can be moved whenever you want!

You can always add a punch of color to a room by throwing some quilts around. Okay not actually throwing around, but arranging them as if they look they are thrown. 

Sofas, beds are good candidates for throwing.

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A stack of colorful quilts kept on a chair in a room will add instant homey feel!

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Strategically placed quilts across the room can add character to it.

Use them as table toppers

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or table cloths

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or on chairs too!

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or stair railings!

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or even as headboards!

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Use your imagination to decorate with quilts. It'll give you a chance to display your artwork without actually making people sit down and look at your quilts.

:)

Now when you have displayed them, you need to care for them, dont you?

Quilt Care

You have spent a long time - days, weeks sometimes even months - to make that beautiful quilt. Its the special day when you want to put that quilt on your bed. You remove it from the cupboard and spread it. And are shocked. Smack in the middle of the quilt, on that favorite block of yours is a huge rust mark! (Thats my nightmare).

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You dont really want that happening. So you need to take proper care of your quilt.

When you store the quilt, keep it away from direct sunlight - It will fade the exposed area of the quilt.

Keep it away from roaches and rodents - for obvious reasons.

Dont keep them in huge stacks - the creases formed due to all that pressure will almost be permanent.

Wrap special quilts in muslin fabric - old sarees (your grandma's) are best for this purpose.

DO NOT keep quilts in metal armories directly. Store them in tissue lined boxes (acid free plastic - not cardboard) before you put them in.

To clean your quilt, I would recommend stain treatment first. Use spot treatment for stains, if any. 

Vacuum your quilt to make it look fresh.

If you must wash it at home, use a mild detergent - the one you use for woolens will be fine. Wash it on a gentle cycle and lay it out flat to dry. Do not hang it on line. The pressure will cause stitches to break. If you have a dryer use it on a low setting and remove the quilt as soon as the cycle is over to prevent creases.

Iron the quilt with the setting applicable to the fabric on top. 

If you have doubts about washing any quilt, take it to a professional.

Quilt Photography

It is not possible to hire a professional to photograph your quilt every time. There will be times when you will have to do it on your own.

Here are a few tips on how to photograph your quilts better. I have learnt this mostly by trial and error.

Always photograph your quilt in natural light. If that is not possible, use a lot of artificial light.

But do not photograph it in direct harsh sunlight. This is what happens when you do that. Can you believe there's any kind of design on that quilt?

It is a better idea to use a directly lit covered space to photograph your quilt. My living room has wonderful lighting and I use it to photograph all my quilts.

Have a place to hang your quilt, such that your camera is in level with the center of the quilt and is steady. I use my mantle to hang my smaller quilts and place my camera on the dining table. Otherwise I use a stool with some books to adjust the height.

If you do not do this, your quilts end up not looking square.

This is a classic example of bad lighting, bad composition and bad anything-that-you-can-think-of.

You can also use a few props to complement the quilt and also to make an interesting composition. 

But do not let the prop overpower your quilt... In this photo what do you look at first? Kiddo or the quilt?

You can also photograph your quilt folded for a more intriguing look.

But dont make the photo too vague or it will look boring...

Just give the reader a glimpse of what your quilt is and get them hooked...

You can also be innovative with the backgrounds for hanging the quilts... I hung this one from my gate.

you could play around with backdrops... 

For more inspirations on hanging quilts check this wonderful board on pinterest : Well hung. (I'm there too... with my Paalvi photo!)

A little playing around with a photo editing sofware is what gives my photos the "oooh" effect... Want to see?

Here's an example of my picnik artwork...

You can also click sneak peek photos of your work...

It adds to the mystery of the quilt...

Here are some of my poorly photographed quilts.

The first is a classic case of poor lighting not doing justice to a fabulous quilt...

In this photograph, the background does nothing to make the quilt look good. Compare it with the photo Emily, my partner who received this quilt took and you'll understand what I say.

Emily's photo.

One more that says, poor lighting... Doesn't say anything about my fabulous paper piecing, does it?

Another example of how I badly photographed my quilt. A mug rug I had sent to my partner Marilyn...

And here's her photograph of the same...

Light and composition make a lot of difference!

If you want to go into the details of quilt photography, I'd suggest you take a look at Holly Knott's Website. She makes it all look so simple!

You could also hop over to Jodi Nelson's Blog Pleasant Home . She did a couple awesome write ups about quilt photography that really got me interested into making my quilt photos better. 

Remember, you do not need an expensive camera to take a good photo. Its more about composition and lighting.