Why I Believe Quilts Should Be Used, Not Stored Away

There’s something about a handmade quilt that feels almost sacred. Hours of work. Countless stitches. Careful color choices. It’s no wonder that when people receive one, their first instinct is often to fold it neatly, tuck it into a closet, and declare it “too special to use.”

I understand that impulse — I really do. But here’s the thing: quilts aren’t meant to live in closets. They’re meant to live in our homes.

When I make a quilt, I don’t picture it folded untouched in a closet. I imagine it wrapped around a newborn baby, spread out for a picnic, draped over the back of a couch, or pulled up on a chilly morning with a cup of coffee in hand.

Quilts carry stories, and those stories grow richer with every use, every wash, every soft fray at the edge.

When we hide them away to keep them perfect, we stop that story from unfolding.

If you’ve ever made a quilt, you know that perfection doesn’t exist. There’s always one corner that doesn’t quite match up or a spot where the quilting line goes a little wonky. But that’s the beauty of handmade — it’s human.

When you use a quilt, you let it become even more alive. The fabric softens. The colors mellow. Every mark of wear becomes part of its character.

I always tell people: when you give a quilt, you’re giving comfort, not a museum piece. You’re giving something to use, not to guard. That’s why I started making my  Quilt Care Cards & Kits— so the message is clear:

Please love this quilt. Please use it. Please wash it. It was made to last through life, not sit out of it.

The real joy of quilting is seeing your creation wrapped around the people it was meant for — not preserved in a plastic bin.

Some of my favorite quilts are the ones that show their age — the ones that have been patched, mended, and loved for years. They’ve seen movie nights, sick days, new babies, and new homes. They’re faded in the best possible way — softened by time and full of stories.

Those quilts remind me that the value of something handmade isn’t in how flawless it stays — it’s in how much it’s lived.

So, the next time someone says, “It’s too pretty to use,” I hope you’ll smile and say, “That’s exactly why I use it.”

Unfold it. Spread it out. Wrap it around someone you love.

Because a quilt is more than fabric and thread — it’s a hug that deserves to be shared.

- Danielle