Quilts have been part of our culture for a long time, and many have found more uses for them than inside the bedroom. Lynne Wood, an associate at Kapaia Stitchery, has a quilt in just about every room of her
Quilts have been part of our culture for a long time, and many have found more uses for them than inside the bedroom.
Lynne Wood, an associate at Kapaia Stitchery, has a quilt in just about every room of her home.
“I have two, small, lap-size quilts in the living room,” Wood said. “The kids love them. They’ll throw them on the floor and cuddle up with them when they’re watching TV. I keep one on the back of my sofa, or on the arm of my chair, for decoration.” And it’s not just her.
“I have a friend whose whole house is decorated in quilts,” Wood said. “She has quilts she uses for everyday, full-size quilts and wallhangings.
A lot of ladies do quilted wall-hangings, or for heirloom quilts, and use them for display.” Aside from the bedspreads and wall hangings, Wood said some people also use them for pillow covers for the living room.
“It’s just a feeling of warmth and comfort, the feeling of love when something is homemade,” Wood said. “It kind of takes you to a simpler time.” Although the quilts themselves may not be simple to make, they seem to make an everlasting impression.
Eileen Sanders of Princeville made a couple quilts for a friend who lives in Colorado.
“She’s got a ti-leaves-and-hibiscus one,” Sanders said.
Sanders took fabric from throw pillows and turned them into a quilt.
But her friend, instead of keeping them in the bedroom, decided to take them and have them framed in koa, so she can display them in her living room.
The owner of the Kapaia Stitchery, Julie Yukimura, said her clients get excited over the different fabrics and designs.
“There is endless home decor with quilts,” said Yukimura. “You can do table-runners, quilted pillow-covers and wall-hangings. One of my clients did this one quilt, and used it as art for her wall.” Another one of her clients, Jeni Hardy, made a pink quilt basket for a display.
There is a quilt guild here on Kaua‘i, and classes are offered throughout the year. There are also endless quilt-making books and guides published for beginners.
Advanced sewing skills may 2006not be all that necessary, but creativity helps.
“Fabrics are like a palette. I think (quilts) show creativity rather than what you can buy,” said Yukimura.
Here are some suggestions for decorating the home with quilts from McCall’s Quilting.
• Show curtain: use a tension rod to hang the quilt, to mask a sliding shower door;
• Wall hanging: use a special quilt rack to hang the quilt. The hanging can be used as a substitute for a headboard, or be displayed as a work of art;
• Seat cover: drape the quilt on the back of a chair, sofa or arm of a chair;
• Rail hanging: drape the quilt over a staircase banister or railing;
• Table decoration: for larger quilts and tables, lay quilt across the table. Protect the quilt with a layer of glass to preserve the material. Smaller, narrower quilts can be used as table runners or creative placemats.
Check the community calendars in The Garden Island for local quilt guild meetings.
• Lanaly Cabalo, lifestyle writer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or lcabalo@kauaipubco.com.
