I recently had a two person show and needed to be able to hang the quilts fairly quickly. The gallery was okay with putting nails in the wall, so I used the same system I use at home.
I like to use Levolor adjustable width pocket rods. They are almost flat and have a hole in each end where the nails can go, and they are adjustable. They come in two different lengths so I keep some on hand for different quilts. I buy them at Lowe's, but I would imagine they are available where ever Levolor curtain rods are sold.
This is the label for the shorter length rod:
The rod slips easily into the sleeve at the back of the quilt:
I put tape on to keep the rod the size it needs to be for that quilt. I can always remove the tape and use it for another quilt in the future. Not sure if you'll be able to see the tape on the rod, but you get the idea...
After holding the quilt up on the wall and deciding on the height and placement, I make pencil marks for the holes. Then I hold the rod up and place a level tool on the top rim. Once I have it leveled, I double check the pencil marks, and put nails in those marks.
Now I can slide the rod into the quilt and place the nails in the holes and admire my work - or in this case the work of
Susan Szajer! I bought this quilt after seeing it in Santa Fe and falling in love with it. I'm planning on painting the wall a little deeper color to show off the quilt, and putting a small chest of drawers under it. Susan does beautiful work - she paints and quilts. I'm so pleased to be able to see this quilt every day.
The feathers on the quilt are 3-D and have a wonderful textural quality to them. Please visit Susan's website to see more of her lovely work:
Susan Szajer website and blog.
I hope this was helpful for you. If there are any questions, please put them in the comment section and I'll try to answer them asap!
great idea! I hadn't heard that one before.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Jeanne, I will keep in mind for my own home..where I don't mind nails in the walls.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found it helpful. Another option is to put fishing line through each of the holes and hang it from a central nail or clip. I have picture moulding in some of my house and I use the fishing line for those. It's invisible, and there's no nail holes so I can easily change out quilts.
ReplyDeleteJeanne, your pocket rod looks like a great hanging device, and Susan Szajer's piece was one of my favorites at the Santa Fe exhibit (had my picture taken in front of this work). About the hanging rod, I have recently gone from 1/4" thick wooden slats to faux wood blind slats. I am writing a blog post about these.
ReplyDeleteMartha Ginn
Martha, I'll look forward to reading about your method.
DeleteGreat idea Jeanne! And I love how you paint your walls to go with the quilts :-))) Kinda like buying new clothes to go with the jewellry!
ReplyDeleteYes, I'd rather decorate around Art then buy what goes with the couch :-)
DeleteThanks I'll try this! Do you think you could add a wire in to holes so u just use one nail. Galleries often request a work to be wired. I have used lattice slats with eye loops in the ends with wire
ReplyDeleteYes, Wen, I have added wire successfully. It's a good and flexible way to always be prepared no matter the exhibits preference.
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