How to Hang a Quilt with a Dowel Rod and Tabs
This post may contain some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission which helps keep my blog up and running but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Click here to read my full Disclosure and Privacy Policy..
A dowel rod is a length of wood in the shape of a cylinder. It makes an excellent rod for hanging a quilt because it comes in different diameters, can easily be cut to the length you need, and painted or stained to complement your home decor.
Dowel rods are one of many different rods you can use to display your quilt on the wall.
In addition to tabs, a dowel rod can also use be used with rectangle sleeves or triangle sleeves and triangle corners to hang your quilt.
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 Types of Tabs
One reason to use tabs is they can be attached in such a way that the tabs are either visible from the top of the quilt or hidden on the back.
If you go with the visible tabs, you have the opportunity to get a little more creative with your quilt when selecting the fabric for the tabs and the method used to hang the rod.
Whether you make them visible or hidden, tabs will be a permanent part of your quilt. This means the tabs will be attached to your quilt BEFORE the binding is put on.
Fabric, Supplies, and Sewing Skills for Tabs
In order to make the tabs, you’ll need fabric, basic sewing supplies, and some machine and/or hand sewing skills.
Fabric
Any fabric can be used for the tabs as long as it doesn’t stretch.
You can use:
- leftover fabric from the quilt
- coordinating fabric
- muslin
- fabric left over from another project
Keep in mind if the tabs will be visible, you probably want to stick with a fabric that is the same as the binding or another fabric in the quilt. You may even consider a fabric that complements the quilt colors.
Supplies
In order to attach the tabs 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
To attach the tabs you will need to use both your sewing machine and hand sewing.
Binding Tutorials
Tabs need to be sewn to the quilt BEFORE putting on the binding.
A few binding tutorials on The Ruffled Purse 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 hand stitches used to attach the tabs for hanging your quilt are the:
Make the Tabs
Note: There are many different ways to make tabs. I’ll be showing you my favorite way. I like the following technique because it’s easier to turn the tube right side out and it produces two tabs.
By following the directions below, you will end up with 2 finished tabs that are 1 3/4″ x 6″. After the tab is attached to the quilt, a visible tab will be 2″ tall.
If you want tabs that are either larger or smaller (maybe to line up with sashing), adjust the dimensions of the strips you cut in the first step below.
The weight of the quilt should be distributed evenly across the tabs. Two tabs will be enough for small quilted wall hangings. For medium and large size quilts, you’ll need more than 2 tabs. Cut as many strips as you need to get the necessary number of tabs.
- Cut two strips 2 1/4″ x 12″.
- With right sides together, sew down one long side with 1/4″ seam allowance. (Don’t sew the short ends.)
- Sew down the other long side with a 1/4″ seam allowance leaving a gap approximately 2 inches in the center for turning.
4. Press open the seam one side at a time. This will make it easier to get crisp edges in the next step and keep you from pressing a crease in the center of the tab.
5. Turn the tube right side out using the gap. Press to get crisp edges.
6. Topstitch close to the edge on both long sides.
7. Cut the prepared strip in half to get two strips that are equal in length.
Attach the Tabs
- Fold the prepared tabs in half and place them on the back of the quilt at the top. Where you place the tabs is up to you. Consider the following when making decisions on placement:
- If there is sashing on your quilt, consider lining up the tabs with it.
- Have the tabs that are closest to the edges be the same distance from the edges.
- For medium and large quilts spread the tabs evenly between the two end tabs.
2. Line up the raw edges of the tabs with the raw quilt edge and pin in place. The tabs should be facing down. Baste in place 1/8″ from the edge
3. Attach the binding on the front and back of the quilt.
For Visible Tabs
4. Lift up the tabs so they are above the quilt top and pin. On the back of the quilt, tack down both sides of each tab to the binding with hand sewing. On the front of the quilt, use the blind stitch across the front of the tab.
That’s it…you’re done!
For Hidden Tabs
4. Leave the tabs down. Tuck the bottom edge of the tab under itself by about 1/2″ before hand sewing it in place. Use either the blind stitch or whip stitch to sew the bottom of the tab to the back of the quilt. Be careful not to sew through to the front of the quilt.
That’s it…you’re done!
Hanging the Dowel Rod
To hang the dowel rod, you can tie a store-bought ribbon or a handmade tape to the dowel rod and then hang it from an anchor.
Making a Handmade Tape to Hang a Dowel
This method of how to make handmade tape to hang quilts with dowel rods was shared with me by a member of The Ruffled Purse email community. She prefers to use rectangle sleeves instead of tabs but both ways work with a dowel rod.
“I took a 2 1/2″ x WOF [width of fabric] strip and folded it in half and then folded the edges into the middle and sewed 1/4” seam on both edges and ends after turning in the ends. I would probably use something to stabilize it on the wrong side if it was a flimsy material.
Then I took that strip and tied a knot onto each end of the dowel that I used to hang my quilt (using a rectangle [sleeve] – I usually like that method as it doesn’t sag at all). The knots butt up nicely against the end of the quilt and stay put. Then Command has nice-looking hooks now, so I bought a nickel-plated hook that went well with my quilt and … Voila! Easy Peasy!“
~ Jean M., subscriber to Snappy Scissors, the official newsletter of The Ruffled Purse
The measurements Jean included in her explanation were for a 36″ dowel rod. You would need to sew together strips of fabric to make a long enough tape for larger wall hangings.
Dowel Rod Anchors and End Caps
The anchor will be visible. Keep this in mind when you’re selecting how to hang the quilt on the wall.
Examples of anchors that can be used are:
- nail or screw
- Monkey Hook or Command Hook
- a push pin if the quilt isn’t too heavy
There are end caps and finials you can purchase separately if you don’t want the blunt end of the dowel rod to show. IMPORTANT: Make sure to get the matching size for the rod you’re using.
Another Use for Tabs and Sleeves
One or more hidden tabs can be used on the back of a larger quilt in conjunction with triangle corners if you notice there is sagging in the middle.
In addition to using hidden tabs between triangle corners to prevent sagging, you can also use a rectangle sleeve.
Related Quilt Hanging Posts
Dowel rods and tabs aren’t the only way to hang quilts. Check out these other quilt hanging posts.
Let’s Connect
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.
Need help or have questions on this project, pattern, or tutorial? Send me an email at nicki@theruffledpurse.com and we can work together to get it figured out!
Make sure you sign up for Snappy Scissors (my FREE newsletter sent directly to your inbox) for ongoing sewing inspiration and education. You can find the sign-up box at the bottom of the post.
Also, like or follow The Ruffled Purse® on Facebook. This is another way to stay up-to-date on the fun things going on at The Ruffled Purse.
You can even follow me on Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube! 😊
As seen in:
More Sewing Education
Looking for more sewing education? Here are a few other posts you may like:
How to Fix a Hole in the Back Pocket of Jeans
How to Chain Piece – It’s Not Just for Quilters
An Easy Quilt as You Go Technique
