6 Easy Steps To Make A Rave-Worthy Quilted Wall Hanging

When researching different ways to display your wide variety of quilt projects, you will likely come across suggestions for quilt wall hangings. 

Sewing wall hangings is a fabulous way to show off your quilting and sewing skills while creating a beautiful piece of hangable art.

In this post, I’ll show you a simple way to hang your quilts no matter what size quilt you create, and I will also give some suggestions for other ways to display your quilts on the walls of your home (or any walls for that matter).

What Is a Quilt Wall Hanging? 

Simply put, a wall hanging quilt is a quilt (usually small in size, but it doesn’t have to be) that you hang on the wall for display and decoration. 

If you need inspiration for your wall hanging, you'll find many beautiful quilt wall hanging ideas online to choose from.

Once you’ve decided on the wall-hanging quilt pattern you would like to make, then you need to figure out the best way to hang a quilt on a wall. 

I’ve done the research for you and have created my own projects to figure out the easiest way to hang a quilt on the wall.

How to Hang a Small Quilted Wall Hanging

What is the best way to hang a quilt on a wall? In the steps below, I’ll show you how to use ribbons to your quilt to create a beautiful, finished look for your quilted wall art.

But before I jump into the tutorial, let’s look at some other quilt wall-hanging ideas.

There are several great ways to hang your quilts without doing any extra work on the quilt itself. 

The market has a wide variety of quilt hangers that you can check out. Here are a few advantages to using quilt hangers:

  • No extra sewing work on your quilt project.
  • If you choose to use the quilt for a blanket or throw in addition to hanging it, there won’t be any loops or strings to contend with.
  • Many hangers are decorative, so the hanger just adds to the whole charm of the decor.
  • You can easily switch out the quilts you want to display without worrying about rods, hooks, or nails.

You could also try double-sided tape with small quilts or Command Strips. Just space the strips out every 4-5 inches on the top and bottom of the quilt.

What Size is a Quilted Wall Hanging? 

So what exactly makes a quilt a “wall hanging quilt?” Is there a specific size requirement? The answer is: “No!” 

You could make a 5” square quilt and hang it up. On the other hand, if you have a 12’ foot wall, you could create a huge masterpiece to display on it. There are no size requirements or “rules” for wall hangings.

Most patterns for wall hangings that you will find are probably going to be small in size. Think baby quilt or smaller. That said, you could hang up any size quilt you want, and with the method I’ll show you, it will take minimal effort to display any size quilt you may want to show off.

How to Make a Quilted Wall Hanging in 6 Easy Steps

In this quick tutorial, I’ll focus on how to make your quilt easy to hang. All the materials used can be purchased at your local arts and craft stores and should cost under $10.

Step 1: Quilt your quilt sandwich as desired.

You will need to quilt your quilt sandwich, trim all the excess batting and backing, and square up your quilt just as you would if you were making a regular quilt. Don’t attach the binding yet.

Step 2: Cut ribbon for the hanging loops.

To make this as easy as possible, I chose to use ribbon for my loops. You could make your own loops from quilting cotton or twine, depending on the look you want. I like the look of the shiny ribbon for my loops. 

I am using a ½” dowel rod for this project, and I cut my ribbons 3” long. I only needed four ribbons since my project is small.

Step 3: Pin ribbons to the back of the quilt.

Space your ribbons evenly apart onto the top edge of the back of your quilt. You want to make sure the ribbons on either side are close to the edge so it won’t curl or droop when you hang it up.

My quilt is 21 ¼” wide. I spaced my edge ribbons 1 ½” from either side and then spaced the middle two evenly about 5” apart. This is a good rule of thumb for the distance between ribbons no matter how large or small your quilt is.

Tip: An easy way to space them correctly is by laying your quilt on top of your ruler or cutting mat so you can see the numbers, then pin the ribbons evenly across the top of the back of the quilt.

Step 4: Stitch the ribbons in place.

Take your quilt to your sewing machine and stitch the ribbons in place. I stitched mine down with a ⅛” seam allowance just to keep them in place until I add my binding. Keep the edges of the ribbon lined up so the ribbon stays straight.

Step 5: Attach the binding.

Attach your binding as you normally would to the front of the quilt. When you flip over to the back of the quilt, stitch the binding down by hand or by machine. I always use my machine with my walking foot to attach the binding. 

When you get to the top of the quilt where the ribbons are, make sure they aren’t bunched up under the binding. Take it slow, and the ribbons should lay flat and neat under the binding.

Step 6: Run the dowel rod through the ribbon and hang it.

Slowly run the dowel rod through your ribbon loops. Do it carefully, as you don’t want the dowel rod to snag the ribbon.

Tip: If you purchase the dowel from your local hardware or home improvement store, they’ll cut it down to whatever length you want it. You'll want to paint or stain it to compliment the colors in your quilt. I chose white to go with the background of my quilt.

The size and type of rod you use for your project will depend on the size quilt you want to hang. If you use a wooden dowel rod, make sure it is strong enough to hold the weight of your quilt.

Also, if you want to hang a quilt that is queen size or larger, I would suggest using a sturdy curtain rod. They’re not only meant to hold heavy fabric curtains, but they also look nice hanging on a wall.

Now all you need to do is decide where you want to hang your wall hanging quilt, put a nail (or nails) into the wall, hang it up, and stand back and admire your handiwork.

Ready to make a quilted wall hanging?

Wall hanging quilts are an underused and under-appreciated form of art any quilter can make, no matter their skill level.

I love to display my work, and hanging them up on the wall seems like the perfect way to do that.

Hanging up quilts also gives a home a sweet cozy feeling which I love. Have fun with it and make something you can be proud to hang up on your walls.

4 thoughts on “6 Easy Steps To Make A Rave-Worthy Quilted Wall Hanging”

  1. I WANT TO MAKE A QUILT WALL HANGING FOR MY GRANDSON WITH PIECES OF HIS PAPA’S SHIRTS. HIS PAPA PASSED AWAY ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO AND HE IS MISSING HIM SO MUCH SO I KNOW HE WILL TREASURE IT. I HAD A SHIRT MADE UP WITH A PICTURE OF HIM AND PAPA WITH THE WORDS I LOVE PAPA THAT I WANT TO CENTER THE QUILT SIZE PIECES OF THE SHIRTS AROUND. I AM NOT A REAL QUILTER AS I WENT TO A CLASS AND I WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT WANTED TO HAND TIE MINE SO I MISSED OUT ON HOW TO SEW A QUILT. DO I USE A BACKING AND THEN BUY A QUILT MATERIAL ON TOP OF THAT? I SURE WOULD LOVE ANY TIPS YOU CAN GIVE ME. THANKS SO MUCH!

  2. I am going to cut the front of the shirt picture and put the pieces of shirt around the picture of grandson and papa. It will be 15″ X 18″ and I will start the shirt pieces around that. How big should I cut the pieces of shirts for quilting around the main picture? Thank you so much!

  3. Hi, Marilyn! This is such a beautiful idea, I’m sure your grandson will treasure it forever. the size pieces you cut to go around the centerpiece shirt will depend on how large you are going to make your wall hanging and what type of blocks you will be making.

    As far as the actual construction of your quilt goes, I have several tutorials here on Quiltdom.com that will show you how to baste, quilt, and bind your quilt once you have the quilt top made. Feel free to ask any more questions you may have and good luck! You can do it! Just take it one step at a time 🙂

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