How to Hang a Quilt 

How to hang a quilt is easy. Just add a hanging sleeve to the top of the quilt backing after it is quilted and before binding a quilt.

This quilting technique is a must as there is very little tolerance when entering your quilt in a show. If the judges can't hang your quilt they send it back as an incomplete quilt.

Hanging sleeves are an absolute must at times...

...it is important that you know how to hang a quilt if you plan to enter a show.

Each show has their own set of rules so learn them all.

For any quilt you intend to display  on a surface other than a bed you will want to add a hanging sleeve on the upper back before you add your binding. 

How To Hang A Quilt For Display

The tube type hanging sleeve is added to the quilt backing after the quilt has been quilted and before binding a quilt.

A dowel rod is then inserted in the tube which can either be hung on a couple of nails or in conjunction with a nice looking wood quilt wall hanger.

The wood quilt wall hanger attaches to the wall and is a permanent fixture and will allow you to change out your quilts using the sleeve hanger on the back of the quilt and a dowel rod.

Generally, the sleeve will be added in a permanent manner and sewn into the top binding of the quilt backing but you can also make the sleeve hanger a temporary addition simply by not stitching it in the seam when adding the binding.

In this case you would simply hand stitch the tube to the top edge of the quilt and remove it when it is no longer needed.

Be sure the sleeve is cut on the straight-grain from matching fabric used in the quilt backing. Using the straight-grain will minimize any stretching of the fabric.

Or you can make the sleeve from a tightly woven fabric as long as it is compatible with the colors you used in the quilt backing fabric.

Quilt shows generally require a 4-inch hanging sleeve on twin size to king size quilts. Miniature quilts will have a smaller sleeve (2 to 3 inches wide).

Instructions on How to Hang a Quilt

Hanging sleeves, will always be required if you are entering your quilt into a show, no matter what size your quilt is.

The sleeve is made of a tube of fabric which provides protection from the rod or dowel used in the hanging process.

When adding a sleeve it supports the quilt and allows it to hang evenly.

The first thing the judges notice about the way a quilt hangs is if the sides curl the quilt is out of square which they frown on.

To earn a first place ribbon this quilting technique becomes very important.

How to hang a quilt using a hanging sleeve is outlined here:

• Measure the width of the quilt across the top and cut a strip of fabric exactly that length by 8 1/2-inches wide.
• If you must piece the strip to get the needed length, be sure and allow for the 5/8-inch seam allowance (not a scant 1/4-inch as used when piecing your quilt).
• Join the 5/8-inch seams together and press the seam open; turn under the lose edges of the seam allowance a quarter inch and stitch down to the sleeve using a small stitch. (photo above)
  
  This will prevent catching the ears of the seam allowance when inserting your dowel rod once the hanging sleeve has been attached to your quilt.
  

• Next, fold both ends under a double three quarter inch; much like you would hem a pair of pants. Then topstitch close to the folded three quarter inch hem to finish each end of the sleeve. (photo above)
• At this point you have all raw edges stitched down so as not to get caught when inserting the dowel rod.
• The finished length of the hanging sleeve should be overall 3-inches shorter (a doubled 3/4-inch on each end) than the top width of the quilt.
  

• With wrong sides together, match the raw edges of the 8 1/2-inch strip to form a sleeve.
• Align the raw edges of the sleeve with the raw edges of the top of the quilt and sew through all layers using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
• Using a thread color that matches the front of the quilt, blind stitch all edges of the sleeve to the quilt backing. The stitches should occasionally catch all three layers (quilt front, batting and backing) of the quilt for better stability.
• This will make the hanging sleeve stronger and put less tension on the back of the quilt preventing it from pulling out of shape.
• It is important to leave the sleeve open in order to insert the dowel rod. So be sure and only blind stitch the lower edge of the sleeve and the bottom of each end.
• For any quilt that is not directional in design, attach sleeves at both the top and the bottom. Then when you hang the quilt on the wall, alternate between the two sleeves each time you display the quilt. This will distribute the stress on the fabrics in the quilt.
  

• It is important to leave the sleeve open in order to insert the dowel rod. So be sure and only blind stitch the lower edge of the sleeve and the bottom of each end. (Photo right)
• For any quilt that is not directional in design, attach sleeves at both the top and the bottom. Then when you hang the quilt on the wall, alternate between the two sleeves each time you display the quilt. This will distribute the stress on the fabrics in the quilt.

It is extremely easy to proudly display all your quilts for your enjoyment as well as let others rant and rave about your work. How to hang a quilt couldn't be easier.

Watching a video is sometimes easier to follow...

How to Hang a Quilt Without a Hanging Sleeve

• Quilt Backing
• Mitered Corners
• Pieced Border
• Half Square Triangles
• Batting Tips
• Simple Border
• Quilting Tips
• Return to Keepsake Quilting from How to Hang a Quilt