by Shari Hiller
Co-host of
Room by Room Quilts are one of those things in life that have no negatives. They are made with love and precious time. They are beauties to behold when they are just lying around. They bring warmth and comfort on cold winter nights. Many of them tell a story or have a history to them that can be passed down from generation to generation.
I have an appreciation for every one I see, and I know that my decorating buddy Matt Fox feels the same way. I've even tried to teach him to quilt, but he truly does feel more comfortable with a hammer and a nail than a thimble and a needle. So, with that in mind, I had him make me a quilt rack, using the tools he liked to use, and here is what he did.
Materials:
decorative door trim
1' x 3" pine board
back saw and miter box
3 drawer knobs
3 screws
drill with drill bit
3 T-nuts
hammer
3 hanger bolts
Steps:
1. That's all there is?
This is probably one of the easiest projects we've done, but the results are terrific. Start by choosing a piece of door frame trim of your choice (or any decorative trim that suits you) that is at least 3 inches wide. Cut to length. Use a back saw and miter box, or if you can make a straight cut with an ordinary saw, more power to you. Cut an additional piece of 1" x 3" pine board to the same length. For our quilt rack, all boards measured 36 inches.
2. Come on, this is too easy!
To find the position of the drawer knobs, find the center of the decorative trim and place a pencil mark. Measure in from both ends 3 inches and make two more pencil marks (you may decide to place your drawer knobs at a different spacing, depending on the length of your boards). Place the decorative trim and pine board together, and drill the three holes through both boards at the same time using a 3/16" drill bit.
3. Really, that's all?
On the 1" x 3" pine board, place the T-nuts into the holes that have previously been drilled. Tap the T-nuts into position with a hammer. Using three hanger bolts, attach a bolt to each drawer knob. Place both boards together by threading the hanger bolt through the board and screw into the T-nut.
4. What a hang-up To hang the quilt hanger to the wall, hold the back pine board in the position you want. While holding it up, drill two pilot holes through the back board and into the wall. Set the back board aside; then insert self anchoring Mollys in the location of the holes.
Reposition the back board and attach it by using screws into the self-anchoring Mollys. Next, attach the top decorative board, loosely, so you can insert your quilt. You may need a helping hand to get the top edge of your quilt inserted evenly, then simply screw the drawer knob tight.
Extra tip:
Make sure to pull your quilt down now and then to gently clean it, because even though it's hanging vertically, dust and dirt can still be a problem.
This is another one of those projects that I would have to tag as a great gift. It doesn't take a long time to make, it's very inexpensive, and you give the recipient an opportunity to get some of those beautiful quilts out of the cupboard and onto the walls.
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