Attaching Sleeves to quilts - looking for your comments/thoughts please
 

So ... I entering 2 quilts in a show that require sleeves to be hung at so many inches from the bottom of larger quilts. For easy math - let's say that's 80 inches from the bottom.

1) I've never attached sleeves but I 'think' making them is going to be easy enough. Hem the ends, sew together, turn inside out and hand stitch to the back.

2) if my end result is supposed to be a 4" sleeve - do I stitch both the top and the bottom of the sleeve to the back of the quilt (with a little give room for the rod)?

3) is 80" where the top of the sleeve goes? or is it 84"?

What else do I need to know?

Thanks in advance!

This is a great question. I have to sew 3 sleeves on 3 quilts this week for our guild show. They all have to be 4" wide and they can only hang at 84" One quilt is 90" long another is 110". I wonder too, one quilt is 100" wide, how long should I make the sleeve??? I suppose I should call our show coordinator and see how long the poles they hang them on are.

This article by Libby Lehman describes how to make and attach a sleeve. http://www.quilts.com/sleeeves.pdf

I can't speak to the issue of whether the show wants the bottom or top of the sleeve at 80". Asking them would be the best way to find out.

Notice that the sleeve does not need to be turned to be "right side out" since the raw edges of the seam will be against the quilt. Also, the directions allow the sleeve to be a little loose (rather than completely flat) to accommodate the rod.

Thanks Dunster. I will contact them in the next few days. I appreciate the help!

I've sewen many sleeves on the quilts that I show at our guilds quilt show. I keep reusing the same sleeves. Also, I safety pin the sleeves on both top and bottom and that works just fine.