Quilting crafts look phenomenal lying on your guest beds, spread along your living room walls and even draped over your kitchen table. After all, the homey look of an expertly sewn quilt is hard to beat. With your home’s interior thoroughly ‘blanketed,’ it’s only natural to dream of moving your skills to the next unchartered territory: the wilds of your backyard. However, humidity, pests, and the unpredictability of the great outdoors have resigned displays of the humble quilt to the controlled environment of the home.
Or have they really?
Decorating your lawn and porch with quilted crafts is a snap, provided that you follow certain protective guidelines. When bringing your quilted masterpieces into the outdoors, be sure to protect them from high winds, bad weather, and bugs by doing the following:
- Use a durable and waterproof material such as canvas while stitching up your pieces. The more protected the quilt is against the elements, the longer it will last. Vinyl and laminated fabrics will also work.
- Don’t use any batting in the quilt to prevent mold and odor retention.
- Use thicker seams and large pieces of fabric to prevent tears and fraying.
- Wash your quilt as little as possible. If you absolutely need to get some stains out, hand wash with cold water and some gentle detergents, putting the quilt out in the sun to dry.
- Consider bringing your precious fabrics indoors should inclement weather arise. Remember, the kinder you are to your quilted crafts, the longer they’ll last.
Now that the rules are laid out, it’s time to get brainstorming!
1. Quilted Yard Art
Your walls have quilts on them, why not your fences and porch? Decorate the most visible parts of your home with patterns and designs that resemble who you are. Patriotic fabric patterns are a very popular outdoor choice, as well as floral fabrics, bird fabrics, and sleek modernistic mono-tones, also known as solid fabrics.
If you’re concerned about mold or discoloration, place your quilts in shady areas and spray with anti-mold or fungal sprays. With the proper care and love, your yard art will last for years!
2. Table Cloths and Picnic Blankets
If you’re already using a quilt on your dining room table, consider creating one for outdoor use only. Not only do quilts make for a perfect conversation piece, but they add lots of extra flavor and charm to any porch, picnic table, or lawn. Using a quilt as a picnic blanket can truly customize your outdoor experiences, from stargazing to tea parties to lazy afternoons in the park.
A full canvas quilt will provide protection against moisture and grass stains, and well as any food spills that happen to leak on it. For added stain insurance, consider sewing one side of the quilt in vinyl or laminated fabric for stress-free mess clean-ups.
3. Outdoor Pillow Coverings or Shams
For an added kick to your established outdoor area, consider sewing up some shams or cases for your decorative pillows. Accent colors and patterns really bring out the character and feel of your porch or outdoor space, bringing all its elements together. Consider making multiples for different holidays and seasons, picking the palate that’s right for you.
Consider the outcome you want when deciding between shams or pillowcases. While a case will entirely envelop the pillow, a sham will only cover the top, giving it a decorative touch. A quilted pillowcase may present better but be more difficult to clean, while a sham will take less effort but only cover part of the pillow. To each their own!
4. Quilted Mailbox Flags
Nothing says custom mailbox like creating your very own yard and mailbox flags. Get wild with all of your favorite fabrics, colors, and patterns! Save yourself a trip to the store for each holiday and design your very own themed flags, from Halloween to Christmas to everything in between.
Simply sew your finished quilt to a flag stake or tiered mailbox flag pole, available in most major hardware stores. The heft of the fabric will help to prevent ripping from strong winds and show off your crafty prowess to the entire neighborhood.
5. An Outdoor Blanket
What could be cuter than a country-style quilt hanging over the back of your outdoor couch? A cozy, custom blanket you make yourself can also double as the perfect gift for the outdoorsman in your life. Just be sure that you use a heavy fabric and strong stitch to ensure the pieces won’t fall apart.
If you do choose to add batting to your blanket, make sure that at least one side will be covered in a waterproof material such as canvas. This prevents not only the danger of unnecessary cleaning (which will deteriorate the quality of the quilt), but it staves away unwanted guests like chiggers and bed bugs.
Ready to Get Started?
Now that your head is filled with the promises of new projects, it’s time to break out the sewing machine and make the quilting magic happen. Don’t expect it will all happen overnight, though. As a wise man once said, ”Art is only achieved through perspiration!”
When you’re ready to start decorating your porch, garden, and lawn with your very own art, don’t be afraid to make a few mistakes, or get a little messy. That’s how you learn, after all.
Happy quilting!
Author’s BIO: Lori Wade is a journalist from Louisville. She is a content writer for who have experience in small editions, Lori is now engaged in news and conceptual articles on the topic of DIY and quilting. If you are interested in crafting or lifestyle, you can find her on Twitter & LinkedIn. She has good experience and knowledge in the field.