Quilt Class: How to Make a Hanging Sleeve

If you make a quilt for a wall or for a bed

you may need a hanging sleeve.  For a wall

hanging you need it for obvious reasons but

if you plan to enter your bed quilts in a quilt

show or exhibit you will need a hanging sleeve

so the quilt can be hung for the show.

First measure the area inside the binding

on the top back of your quilt, add 1 inch.

I like to use fabric that matches the backing

fabric of the quilt if possible, cut a strip of

fabric 9" x the measurement from above.

You may have to piece this strip if you have

a very large quilt.

On each 9" edge turn under 3/8" and press,

turn again and press and stitch along the edge

using a 1/4" seam foot.

Bring the two long edges together with

right sides together and stitch using a

1/4" seam.

Open up the tube as shown so the seam is

in the center and press open the long seam.

Press the edges gently.  Turn the tube out to

the right side and press along the edge lines.

Place the sleeve evenly between the 2 side

bindings and just below the top binding,

with the seam in back.  Pin in place.

Take a few small stitches on the back of the

quilt to hold the knot, then bring the needle up

through the very edge of the top of the sleeve

and put the needle down just on top of the

sleeve.  Do not put needle all the way through

quilt, you want to just skim below the backing

fabric and catch a bit of the batting in the stitch.

Bring the needle back up 1/4" away and repeat.

As I am stitching, I keep my fingers of

my left hand on the front of the quilt

to be sure the needle does not come

through to the front.  Continue stitching

all the way across the top and make a knot

at the end beneath the sleeve.

Now here is the magic part of this process.

If we were to just stitch the bottom part of

the sleeve as it is, it can make your quilt hang

strangely.  So, pull up the fabric on the bottom

and fold about 3/8" below the pressed edge.

Just be sure the sleeve does not go above the

edge of the quilt.  Press this new edge.

Then take a ruler or a yard stick and

get the top edge nice and even, then

press this edge.

Pin both long edges to keep the

sleeve even and in place.

Sew the bottom edge the same way

as the top but this time fold the top

under a bit so you can still use the

fingers of your left hand to make

sure the needle does not come through.

I also sew down the back sides of the

sleeves.  Remember you most likely

will not be hanging your own quilt at

a quilt show and if someone just slides

the rod in the space between the backing

and the sleeve then your quilt will not

 hang as nicely.  So take the few extra

 stitches to make it just right.

And you are done!

Now don't forget to add a

quilt label.