(Updated and republished May 17, 2023)
I decided to hang another quilt on the wall in my apartment. It makes me happy to look at patchwork quilts. I consider them works of art.
Here’s a teaser…can you see it in the mirror?
The quilt you see reflected in the mirror was one of the first quilts I ever made. It is hand-stitched and hand-quilted.
I hand-sewed a muslin “sleeve” at the top of the quilt in order to hang it on the wall.
How To Sew A Sleeve To Hang Your Quilt On:
- Cut the material/muslin the width of the quilt, allowing for yardage for hemming. The length should reflect the thickness of the dowel.
- Fold seams in the fabric where you plan to hem it, allowing an opening on either side to slip a dowel into
- Iron these seams so that they’re easier to sew
- Pin the sleeve to the top of your quilt
- Sew the “sleeve” to the back of your quilt with a hidden stitch
- Slide the muslin sleeve onto the wooden dowel or however you’re planning to hang the quilt
It’s better to hand sew your sleeve to the quilt so you won’t see the stitching on the front of the quilt.
Then I drove to a home improvement store and picked out the size dowel I wanted to hang my quilt on. I asked them to cut the dowel for me to the size I needed.
Once home, I hung the round wood dowel with the quilt over nails I hammered in the wall.
There are other ways to hang a quilt. I simply chose the easiest route without spending much money.
But you can also try hanging your quilt with self-adhesive strips or quilt hanger clamps.
The addition of this quilt means that I have three quilts on the walls of my bedroom. I consider it extra insulation.
Obviously I love my quilts, and I don’t want to hide them all away.
Front Door Problem:
Now to the door problem.
Many of the residents of these one story patio apartments buy a storm door for their apartment. I purchased one before I moved in. And I hired a man to install it whose company is simply called “The Doorman.”
As you see from the above photo, bugs could easily come in underneath the storm door. Therefore I wasn’t comfortable having the storm door open. And with it closed it’s pretty dark in here.
Here is the finished product:
It was quite labor-intensive. It took The Doorman six hours to do this job. He had all his equipment set up outside my apartment.
I am quite pleased with his solution to my problem. He caulked around the door as well.
You cannot see a bit of light underneath the door now. It is properly sealed.
No, the complex would not pay to have this done. Having a storm door is not part of your rental agreement.
Some question why I would spend money on a property I don’t own. But I want to be happy while I live here. So it’s worth it to me to spend the money to fix what I can.
If you own your home, you probably feel more confident about spending money improving your home.
Loving Where You Live:
But that home truly does not belong to you until you have the deed to the property in your hand. Until you’ve paid for that house in full, you really don’t own it.
Anything could happen. You could lose your job, have an accident, etc., that might affect your paying the monthly mortgage payment.
When I was a young mother, I recall thinking to myself: When we get the next house, then I’ll decorate it. Make it look nice.
But time passes. The moments and hours of your life are ticking away. You need to do what you can to love where you live right now.
There are home hacks and DIYs all over the internet for renters. They will show you ways to implement temporary solutions to improve your rental without losing your deposit.
Fixing the concrete under the storm door was worth the money I paid him to fix it. Now I can leave the wood door open during the day and there is a lot more light in my living room.
I happen to love this little apartment. And I plan to do whatever improvements I possibly can while I live here.
Every day of your life that passes is a day you’ll never get back. So try to live in the here and now. Which means improving the surroundings wherever you live.
I love what you did to the door – and the whole kitchen redo is just another example. I absolutely agree that money spent on your apartment home is money well spent.
I agree with you 100% Brenda about paying for things even if you are renting. It is your home and you must be comfortable and safe and secure. Don't ever let anyone ever tell you what is best for you when you are the only one that can answer that question. I admire you sooo much! ~Bobbie
Amazing quilts, Brenda. I went into a quilt store recently, I tried to talk to the ladies, but I must of caught them on a bad day, though it was not busy. Any way, I don't know how to quilt. My mom quilted a few blankets, but mainly she crocheted, and knitted. Unfortunately, I did not learn how. She didn't have much patience for showing, but maybe it was her way of taking a break from all the kids. One of my sister's was taught though, probably because she took Home Ec. That's so true about a home and a mortgage. Good to get the screen door for bug free enjoyment and the pups. xoxo Su
The quilts are beautiful and add color and warmth to your cosy place. Makes me want to change my decor style!
My Husband and I rented a house to be sure we loved the neighborhood before we purchased a house. When we left 2 years later, the landlord asked if we wanted to move into his other rentals. He loved the changes we made… Including a new screen door. I have a lot of stresses in my life including a Husband with health issues…. When I walk into my home at night the stresses ease. I find such comfort walking into an area that is decorated in my comforting style. A glass of wine helps too!
Brenda, thank you for the advice re: hanging the quilts behind a piece of furniture that blends into the wall. I'd never thought of it that way before but it makes perfect sense.
I can see why putting on the storm door makes perfect sense. Who in their right mind doesn't want to invite more daylight into their home? There is no better lighting than sunlight and getting glimpses of nature too? Bonus! My two 'boys' love sitting at our screen/storm doors to guard their mom against squirrel attacks. ☺ I'm lucky that my inner doors also have those decorative glass panels in them because they allow the light (in winter it's just 'light' without sun) to shine inside. It sure helps winter up here seem less bleak. I know, I complain about the dark cloudy winters in this part of Canada all the time. I miss my sunny prairie home.
I am glad that you were able to get the door fixed and I always enjoy seeing your quilts…now, that one that is hand-PIECED as well ? Just amazing, Brenda! 🙂
The quilts are so pretty and make a home feel and look comfy. I love the look!
I just love your apartment! It just gave me a good idea, to place a neutral comforter on my bed, and drape my quilts over the bed. I'm a quilter and its so fun to change the quilts regularly! I love your philosophy, live in the present. You have a cute style! Happy Valentines Day?
Oh, you will have SO much fun!
The quilts in your bedroom that flank your bed remind me of the bookcases in your living room that flank your couch! All your quilts are beautiful .
That's actually what kind of gave me the idea to move the shelves in there and do what I did!
The quilts make your space warm and cozy. Now I understand about the door. It will also save you money and keep pests outside.
My neighbor Charlie's door, next door, doesn't look at all like mine did. I don't know what happened with mine. But it was what it was and I finally fixed it. I'll scrimp someplace else!
It's so important to make your space your own. It's healthy to have your environment comfortable and decorated in a way that appeals to your senses. Very nice post!
I have always wondered how people hang quilts on the wall without damaging them, now I know, thank you! I have a picnic basket just like the one you have in your bedroom near the window – I love mine, and I can see that you love yours too!
I put a nail in the wall. If I move whatever was there, and naturally I will, I just get out the spackling and fix the hole. Now my quilts are an entirely different story altogether. I treasure them and treat them like my babies.
Excellent advise Brenda…the quilts always look great on the walls..Getting the doorway fixed was well worth the money…now you can sit with the door open and enjoy the light and Charlie won't have to be hiding from the bugs so much…lol…
Those darned gnats and flies. They torment my babies!
Your quilts are wonderful. I went to an estate sale this weekend, and there were some beautiful quilts. When I went back on half-price day, all of them were gone! I once broke my foot in three places when I lived in Colorado trying to hang a quilt. I was walking along the back of my sofa because I didn't have a ladder, hitting it with a staple gun. I fell off. Snow storm outside. Not a good night!
I agree about making the home the have the best you can. I look forward to your post on the subject.
Surely you are not clumsy like me??? What we women will do whilst decorating…
I'm in full agreement with the embrace your space philosophy. Tomorrow may never come.
Once you get that concept down, the rest comes easily I think.
Thank you for sharing how you hang your quilts. That has been a question of mine. I agree completely with embracing where you are living and making it comfortable and your home. You have done a wonderful job. Thanks as always for sharing with us. Happy Valentines Day to you.
And I thank you wonderful readers for being here! When you comment, it is just like you have knocked on my door and said hello.
Goodness, you are one wise woman. I guess some people learn and thankfully share and some don't.
Oh and your quilts are beautiful..
I came to find wisdom late in life. But better late than never, huh?
You are so full of common sense! I love it. You're so right, we never know what will happen next. I love your explanation of making the sleeve. I did one on my own once and think it was pretty much the same way. I do have several quilts but one special one I picked up in Cotton Plant, Arkansas yrs ago on a trip, it has beautiful butterflies and it is so heavy! I think you have inspired me to hang it! Yes, it was so worthwhile to have the door fixed, many pros all around.
You are I think the very first person in my life to utter the words: "You are so full of common sense!" For years people have thought I was daft. I think I'm learning. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!
I have my favorite red and white quilt still lying across a wing chair in my home office.
I never hung my old quilts because of not have a sleeve on them
your quilts are so pretty and fun to see
They are pretty to place anywhere. On your bed. On your wall. Over the back of your couch, or across a wing chair.
So very true Brenda. The Doorman did something for you that makes life better for both you and the pupsters. No more bugs in/scaring the pupsters and you get light. Israel has become a very kind and helpful friend. The quilts look great on your walls and I am so happy to see them. Hugs.
Joy
Yes, I think Israel hung around to make sure I was getting my money's worth! Watched the poor man like a hawk!
So very true Brenda. I love my little apt home and hope to be here for awhile. I make improvements to make myself comfortable and happy! Love the quilts on the wall. Most of the one's I have are huge (Queen size) so hard to hang.
hugs,
Linda
We single gals have a different mind set I think. For many of us, we know we won't own a home. So we do the best we can with what we have.
I lived in too many houses where it was always "we'll do that at the next house"…andi never happened. Now I have my place and I'm lucky enough to own it and I am definitly putting my mark on it. As for the quilts I love all of them…I'm particularly fond of the yellow & white as yellow is my favorite color. I make quilts and hang them in my home too. I like a hanger called the Hang it Dang it…here is a video explaining how it works. http://www.hangitdangit.com/ You only need one nail to hang it and it contracts or expands to the width you need and supports the quilt all the way across. I have 5 of them in my house and they make it easy for me to put them up or take them down all by myself (sorry to sound like a commerical but I do love them !) Anyway you can see quilts I've hung with them on my blog. Hope you get some nice warm sunny days to enjoy that new storm door!
I know there are more and newer ways to hang a quilt. I just kind of hang on to my old and original way!
Love your quilts! It's such an easy way to add instant color to a wall. Thanks for sharing how to hang them.
I kind of just make up my own way of doing things, like this, based on what I've seen before.
I love your philosophy to embrace what you have. For we never know what tomorrow will bring. I'm so happy that you fixed your storm door! This fix increases your enjoyment of your apartment so much. Really glad for you. Your quilts are so gorgeous and such a special part of your cozy décor. Wishing you, Abi, and Charlie a warm, wonderful day…
And may affect my utility bill. I can keep the door open during the winter and let the sun shine in and warm the place.
You are certainly right about a mortgage. Anything can happen. Embrace what you have, yes to that too. In fact I agree on all accounts. Your investment is a piece of mind from weather and bugs. I would do the same. I use a dowel for my quilts too. Alot of time went into your postage stamp quilt (the name of the quilt pattern?) My quilts and wall hangings are very special to me, made by my sister with love.
Brenda, you remind me of my sister and a good friend. I think all of us women have a common denominator.
Have a sweet day with your darling pupsters, Kathleen in Az
I never could follow pattern instructions to make a quilt. So I just cut out templates and made my own. It is just a squares quilt in my mind. But those are actually my favorite because of their simplicity.