How to Make a Quilt Sleeve

Sleeve Guidelines

Quilts and wallhangings must have a 4-inch finished width sleeve.

Miniatures should have either a minimum 2-inch finished width sleeve, or tabs sewn evenly spaced flat on the back of the quilt.

The top edge of the sleeve must be no more than 90 inches from the bottom edge of the quilt.  If your quilt is longer than 90 inches, either (a) place the sleeve 90 inches up from the bottom and let the top drape over when hung, or (b) place the sleeve at the top, turn the bottom up, and baste it (no pins) so that the finished length is 90 inches. 

Sleeve Construction

Cut a strip of fabric 8.5” wide and the length equal to the width of the quilt.

Make a narrow hem at each end of the strip. With wrong sides together, sew along the long edges using a 1/4” seam allowance.

Stitch the tube down (top and bottom) to the top of the back of your quilt.

If you wish, you may finish the ends of the sleeve, but it is not required.

The rod pocket is all that is supporting your quilt during the duration of a quilt show.

Rod pockets that have been loosely basted on can pull loose due to the weight of the quilt, and damage to your quilt could result.