If you use a sleeve on top, there should be a slight gap (a small pleat at the bottom of the sleeve) between the sleeve and the back of the quilt to make room for the dowel. If the sleeve is flat on the quilt, the rod will push out on the front. You could also make hanging tabs that are above the quilt for the dowel rod to slide through. The dowel rod could be attached in some way to the outside tabs so that it is stretched slightly. I am using cjsews triangles to hang an American Beauty wall hanging which is set on point. There will be two rods going across the back at different heights and one going the length (so the bottom doesn't flop around).