Hang Quilts with Triangles
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Did you know there are multiple ways to hang a quilt?
A rectangular sleeve is the first method that comes to mind for many people but it isn’t the only way.
Triangles are another shape that can be used on the back of a quilt to hold the rod securely.
Would you like all of the information on how to hang quilts in a printable format?
If you’re nodding your head yes, then you need the Ultimate Guide to Hanging Quilts with Confidence.
Two Ways to Use Triangles
There are two ways triangles can be used:
- Triangle corners
- Triangle sleeve
Triangle corners are great for small quilts but can be used for quilts of any size.
You may need to put a tab or rectangle sleeve in between the corners to prevent sagging on medium to large size quilts.
The triangle sleeve is a great option for larger quilts and gives you a couple of options with the rod.
Because of how the squares are folded and attached to the quilt to make the triangle sleeve, the ends of the rod can be visible or hidden. This allows you to change out the rod if you want.
Make sure to read How to Hang a Quilt on the Wall to discover the many rod and anchor options available to display quilts as part of your home decor.
Triangles – Permanent or Temporary
TRIANGLE CORNERS can be permanent or temporary.
If the corners are permanent, you attach them BEFORE you attach the binding.
However, if you want to hang a quilt that already has a binding or you want to remove the triangle corners at a later date, the temporary attaching method is the way to go.
The TRIANGLE SLEEVE works best if the triangles are secured under the binding. So the triangle sleeve is a permanent part of the quilt.
Fabric, Supplies, and Sewing Skills
In order to make the triangle corners or triangle sleeve, you’ll need fabric, basic sewing supplies, and some machine and/or hand sewing skills.
Fabric
Any fabric can be used for the triangles as long as it doesn’t stretch.
You can use:
- leftover fabric from the quilt
- coordinating fabric
- muslin
- fabric left over from another project
Supplies
In order to attach the triangles you’ll need basic sewing supplies:
- pins
- needles (machine and hand)
- thread
- scissors
- sewing gauge or measuring tape
- rotary cutter, mat, and ruler
- iron and board
- sewing machine
Sewing Skills
Depending on whether or not the triangles will be permanent or temporary, you will need to use your sewing machine, hand sewing, or both.
Binding Tutorials
The quilt will need a binding whether you attach triangle corners or triangle sleeves. There are many ways to bind a quilt. For tutorials on how I bind quilts, take a look at the following posts:
A few tutorials to help you are:
- Double Fold Quilt Binding – A Beginner’s Guild
- How to Attach a Binding
- Use the Blind Stitch to Finish Binding
Hand Sewing Tutorials
Not sure how to hand sew or need a refresher?
You can find all my hand sewing tutorials here – Types of Hand Stitches: a Guide for Beginners.
Popular posts in the hand sewing guide for beginners are:
- Three Ways to Tie a Knot in Thread – In this tutorial you learn different ways to tie a knot when you start.
- How to Finish a Stitch in Hand Sewing – Learn multiple ways on how to finish a thread at the end of your hand sewing.
The two main stitches used to attach the fabric for hanging your quilt are the:
Cutting Triangles
You will actually be cutting squares then folding them to make the triangles.
There isn’t a hard and fast rule for what size to cut the squares. However, the measurements below will give you a starting point.
Don’t hesitate to make adjustments to the square size if the folded triangles seem too big or too small for your quilt.
Cutting Triangle Corners
- 4-inch squares will work for most quilts. You can adjust the size if you feel like the triangles are too big or too small for your quilt.
- Cut at least 2 squares. (Cut 4 squares if you want to put triangles in all 4 corners. Why do this? The bottom triangle corners can hold a rod across the bottom and keep the bottom edge of the quilt from rippling.)
Cutting for a Triangle Sleeve
- Cut 3 squares.
- Cut 5-inch squares for small quilts.
- Cut 7-inch squares for medium quilts.
- Cut 12-inch squares for large quilts.
- Because of how the triangles are folded for the triangle sleeve, you may find yourself adjusting the size of the squares if they are too big or too small for your quilt.
Attaching Triangle Corners
The triangle corners are actually squares that are folded to make triangles.
Triangle corners are great for small quilts but can be used for quilts of any size.
You may want to put a tab or a small rectangular sleeve in between the triangle corners to prevent sagging on medium to large size quilts.
Permanent Triangle Corners
For the corners to be permanent, you will baste the triangles to the quilt back BEFORE you attach the binding.
- Cut 2 (or 4) squares to make the triangles. (See the section above on Cutting Triangle Corners.)
2. Fold each square in half with the wrong sides together to form a triangle. Press.
3. Line up the raw edges of the triangles with the raw edges of the quilt. Baste in place with 1/8-inch seam allowance.
4. Attach the binding to the front and back.
That’s it…you’re done!
Temporary Triangle Corners
Temporary corners are attached to a quilt that already has a binding or one that you want the ability to remove the corners at a later date.
- Cut 2 (or 4) squares an inch bigger than you would for permanent hanging corners. (See the section above on Cutting Triangle Corners.) For example, instead of 4-inch squares, cut 5-inch squares.
2. Turn each side of the square 1/2-inch to the wrong side, press, and sew in place. This puts the raw edges on the back of the square.
3. Fold the squares in half with the wrong sides together to form triangles. Press.
4. Place one triangle in each of the top corners close to the edge of the binding. Make sure they are the same distance from the top.
5. Use the blind stitch or whip stitch to sew down the two triangle sides that are near the binding. Make sure to catch both edges of the triangle with the needle.
If you’re making four triangle corners, repeat steps 4 and 5 to attach the remaining two triangles in the bottom corners.
That’s it…you’re done!
Attaching a Triangle Sleeve
Like the triangle corners, the triangles for the sleeves start out as squares too.
Triangle sleeves are a great option for larger quilts and give you a couple of options with the rod.
Because of how the squares are folded and attached to the quilt, the ends of the rod can be visible or hidden. This allows you to change out the rod if you want.
The triangle sleeve will be permanent. You will baste the triangles to the quilt back BEFORE you attach the binding.
- Cut 3 squares to make the triangles. (See the section above on Cutting for a Triangle Sleeve.)
2. With wrong sides together, fold each square in half to make a triangle. Press. Fold in half again, making smaller triangles. Press.
- One side of the triangle will be a single fold.
- Another side will be two folded edges.
- The third side will be the raw edges.
4. Place the triangles along the top quilt edge.
- Center one triangle on the quilt. Line up the raw edges of the triangle with the quilt’s raw edges. Pin in place.
- Place the other two triangles, one in each corner, with raw edges lined up with the quilt’s raw edge. Pin in place.
- The single-fold side for each outer triangle should be closer to the outer edge of the quilt.
- The two folded edges should be toward the inside of the quilt.
- It doesn’t matter which way the folds of the center triangle are facing.
5. Baste all three triangles in place an 1/8-inch from the raw edge.
6. Attach the binding to the front and back of the quilt.
7. Hand sew one or two stitches at each triangle point to secure them to the quilt. Be careful not to sew through to the front of the quilt.
That’s it…you’re done!
Related Quilt Hanging Posts
Triangles aren’t the only way to hang quilts. There is more you need to know to create the best quilt hanging system to meet your needs. Check out these other quilt hanging posts and get ready to start hanging your quilts.
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My goal at The Ruffled Purse is to support, empower, and inspire you to sew and make wonderful things for yourself, your home, and others.
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