Originally Posted by
Pepita
Yes I think I would put a hanging sleeve at the top and another sleeve at the bottom to help the quilt hang straight. Have you thought how you will quilt it? Are you going to try to do it on a regular sewing machine or long arm? Personally I would go for a long arm. If you don't do it yourself, I would select someone who has a lot of experience in machine quilting and know how to work with heavy tops. You will need a lot of support for the top, I am guessing a strong batting and backing, and lots of quilting.
Quite an enterprise, you have made. I would really research how to quilt it and hang it before you do it so you know it will hold up to hanging, and possibly lots of handling. You have honored our heritage as well as the men and women who served.
I am 98% done with the quilting. One of my mother's friends let me use her long arm. It was my goal to do everything, all 100% by myself, for these quilts. They are far from perfect, but they actually look good, and the patches are what presents the quilt. I sewed around all of the patches after I quilted it to keep the patches from sagging. I quilted down all of the channels between the khaki rectangles that the patches are on. I used the warm and natural batting. Each quilt weighs in at 14 lbs before the binding and sleeves--but those will not add much. I was thinking about doing sleeves on the top and bottom.
Should I try to do long and continuous sleeves the entire width? I think they are about 118" wide and 92" tall. Someone suggested doing a sleeve in the middle. How about the sides too so that it can be stretched (softly and carefully)?
I have been watching a bunch of youtube videos on sleeves. Was thinking about doubling up the fabric due to the weight, and the fact that I wanted to take this quilt traveling around the country.
I almost thought about pulling an Army idea right out of a manual and putting grommets in the corners to use 550 cord to suspend it
