CALLING ALL QUILTERS

We are now entering the exciting stage of the Springwood Community Quilt Show. Entries are now being accepted for this years event. If you haven't received a form please visit your local patchwork shop to collect one or maybe two, alternatively down load from this blog site. An easy way of receiving an entry form, giving you plenty of time to complete your quilt, is to supply the committee with your email. Your email address is never given to any other party, it is solely used to distribute the entry form and conditions to you. This usually happens towards the end of February. So if you haven't already done so, grab a form, fill it out, post it off, then finish off your quilting, or maybe you are up to the binding or lastly sew that rod sleeve on.

It always surprises us when receiving the quilts how many do not have rod sleeve pockets sewn on. Of course if your quilt was not meant to be hung when creating it, you wouldn't think to put a sleeve on it during construction. The rods and stands are hired from The Quilters' Guild of NSW and as you can see from the photo below just how much the rod goes through each side. If you sew your sleeve on and leave it very short either side of the width of the quilt, it will not hang straight as there is nothing supporting the area of the quilt without a sleeve.

Alternatively, smaller quilts and wallhangings need to be hung on special fabric covered stands. For these quilts we have to use 'T' pins. Great care is taken to pierce the fabric as close to the seam of the binding and going in at an angle the 'T' pin firmly holds the article in position. Any small holes in the fabric easily come out with a stroke of your fingernail or other blunt tool. Hanging this way allows your smaller quilt to be appreciated at eye level.

How do I put a rod sleeve onto my quilt for hanging?

If your quilt is going to be displayed on a wall or an exhibition, then you will need a rod sleeve on the back of the quilt.
Cut a piece of fabric 8" wide and 2" less then the width of your quilt. Fold in half lengthways and sew along the two short and long sides, leaving about 4" in the centre of the long side to turn the sleeve inside out. Turn and press, and hand sew the centre hole together.

Pin the sleeve to the top of the quilt, about 1/2" inside the edge, or at the inside edge of the binding. Hand sew the top edge of the sleeve to the quilt, taking care not to catch the front of the quilt as you sew. Push the sleeve up a little so it has a little 'give', this allows a bubble in the pocket to accommodate the rod thickness. Pin into position, and hand sew the bottom of the sleeve to the quilt, again taking care the stitches do not show through to the front of the quilt.

At the last minute, if you have forgotten to attach a sleeve, a quick method is to cut a strip of fabric, measurements roughly as above, and instead of hand sewing, use safety pins!!

The Springwood Community Quilt Show is a non juried event . When all the quilts have been hung, it is a marvel to look at the display with everyone's quilts hanging so beautifully.

Enjoy your quilting!