Dear Cindy,

I have a crazy quilt that was made in 1892.  How can I display it and protect it at the same time?

Angelique

Angelique,  

This is a tall order! But here is what I would suggest: 

your Crazy can be hung (via a fabric sleeve on the back) IF the front is reasonably intact, and the backing is strong enough to take the stress of the sleeve stitches pulling on it. (If it isn't, you might consider lining the backing with muslin, then stitching the sleeve to that.)  It should never be hung in direct light, nor longer than approx. 3 months. It will need a rest then for at least 3 months before you put it back up...and if you can stitch sleeves to both ends, so the quilt can be hung upside-down and right-side up, that will help decrease stress on the quilt, too.  

When storing it, laying flat is the best option, as long as the top and bottom can be lined with tissue paper or clean/washed muslin. The quilt should never touch itself, and 3-D embellishments do better when they're padded slightly with cotton batting scraps. If folded, then do a loose fold in thirds...see the question on 'washing quilts' and you'll see some storage suggestions at the very end that might be of help.  

As for protection, it's just caring for it gently. Use a vacuum hose with a nylon stocking pulled over the nozzle to clean the quilt's surface (gently, now). Always fold as loosely as you can. Restoration is suggested, to keep shredding patches from taking out more patches across the surface of the quilt. (This is another story!)  

Hope this helps -- good luck to you!