Pet Peeves: How a quilt is like a sports car

Photo from homeautodesign.com

I just have to rant a little bit; tell me someone else is with me here!  (I'll explain the photo of the Veyron, just stick with me.) My number one quilting pet peeve (well, one of the top 5 at least) is seeing quilts hung on a wall, on display, instead of in use!

Now, don't get me wrong, some quilts are MADE to be display quilts and many quilters (myself included) have more quilts than we know what to do with and so keep some of them on rotation on display when all the beds are covered.  It's better than having them folded in a closet.  What I'm talking about is when a quilt is being hung on a wall because it's "too pretty to use" or "I'm afraid to mess it up."  What?

Quilts are MADE to be used.  They are made to be loved and cuddled.  Quilts are for spring time picnics and mid-winter snuggling on the couch with the dogs, and for comforting vomit-y children.  A few stains, tears, or worn patches on a quilt are well-earned battle scars.  Like laugh-lines on a face, they're evidence of a life well-lived.

Photo from automotivecarpictures.blogspot.com

Hanging a quilt on a wall is like having a really beautiful, fancy sports car and never taking it out of the garage.  Sure, it's pretty to look at, but if you never take it out for a drive and put your foot down it doesn't get to do what it was made to do.  And that's really a tragedy!

I feel the same way about seeing quilts hanging on the wall.  Yes, they're pretty.  They make great wall art.  But they're not getting to do what they were made to do. 

I always tell people when I give away a quilt: Use it!  If your quilt gets dirty, you can throw it in the washing machine.  If it gets worn beyond use, I'll make you a new one.  Nothing would make me happier than to know that one of my quilts was literally worn to pieces.

Hanging a quilt on the wall or folding it in a closet or otherwise coddling it to "save it" is a crime. Like people, quilts need to live fulfilled lives.  So please, people of the world, stop this travesty, USE your quilts.