Make a PVC Quilt Rack

Did you see that crazy PVC quilt rack at the Kuna Quilt Show?  Wouldn't you like to make one? You can make it bigger or smaller and decorate it any way you like. That is the great thing about creativity.  I am including instructions on how to make one like mine, if you read on!

the rack holding this small quilt is made of PVC pipe

SUPPLIES AND TOOLS:

• hacksaw or PVC cutter tool (I used a small hacksaw)
• Sharpie marker
• measure tape
• 1 inch PVC pipe and connectors as pictured below
• your choice of colorful duct tape

 Go to your local home improvement store and you will find a nice selection of PVC pipe and connectors. I used the 1 " pipe, so I selected the elbows, T's, and end caps that were also 1".  That way they all fit together.  I did not use glue in my construction, yet it stays together nicely, and you can dismantle it for easy storage.

 

As indicated, in the photo above, you need 4 each of the 5 ft lengths of PVC, and 2 elbows, 4 T's, and 4 end caps. Two of the 5 ft pieces will be cut into smaller lengths that make the vertical sides and feet. The other two 5 ft pieces will make the horizontal top piece and lower support piece.

     Use the measure tape to measure 28" from the end of one long piece and mark it with a Sharpie marker.  Then, from that mark, measure 12 " and mark it.  Again, from that mark measure 10 " and mark.  Lay the second long piece next to the piece you marked, and make the identical markings on it.  You should have three marks on both 5 ' pieces of PVC.  Using the hacksaw (or your PVC pipe cutter) cut at those three marked locations on both pipes (that is six cuts). Now, you have four pieces out of each of the first two of your 5 ' lengths.  Lay the pieces next to each other, in two parallel straight lines.  Connect the 28" piece to the 12" piece using a T connector. Insert the other end of the 12" piece into the center hole of another T connector.  This is the center part of the foot support. You have two 10" pieces left and you connect them to either side of the T connector you just put on the 12" piece.  You do this with both sides of the stand assembly.  The end caps go on the ends of the 10" pieces that are the feet of the stand.

     Now you have both sides done, and you just need the cross pieces that connect both sides.  Measure and cut both cross pieces (vertical) the same length.  I cut mine 31" long based on the width of my quilt. Truth is if your quilt was 27" across, you could just cut one 5' piece of PVC in half (30"), so then you would only have to purchase 3 pieces of 5' PVC.
     Use the elbow connectors to attach the top cross piece to both sides. The lower support cross piece will be connected by inserting it into the T connectors on both sides.  Viola' !  It is done.  But now you want to change it from being that lovely white color:   scroll down to previous blog post.