Advice on stiffener for a wall hanging

Janner,

I am not sure I understand why you want it stiffer. If you are concerned that it may not hang flat enough, you could maybe add a sleeve to the bottom also. This has been known to help :-)

Otherwise,, if you want something quite stiff, you could maybe use that thick interfacing stuff used for fabric postcards instead of regular batting?

Very cool idea though.

Hanne in London

I usually use Hobbs fusible batting, for my wallhangings. It makes up beautifully flat and hangs perfectly. It's not exactly stiff, but it's not snuggly, either - at least unwashed it isn't. It does soften a bit with washing. You could use curtain weights of whatever sort you can get. . In message , Janner writes

I have some instructions for machine lace at

It's quite simple and really fun to do! And would add a unique feature to your wallhanging.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Thanks for the ideas. I think that loads of quilting will be the answer. Machine lace sounds good fun as well. Can't wait to get going on it now.

Big thanks

Janner

Patti wrote:

Here's my thoughts:

A wire frame could be sewn into to the outer edge of the quilt, much like a lamp shade wire frame, but you would have to sew it in by hand because of the risk of hitting the metal with the machine needle.

A wood dowel or flat slat added in a pocket along the bottom much like a roller shade for windows would help it hang straight, but it would not stiffen the sides.

A heavy stabilizer (Timtex?) would probably be safer and easier to use than wire, and have more uniform results over the whole quilted area than the wood dowel, but may be stiffer than you desire.

I would probably use two layers of one of the compressed cotton battings, like Warm & Natural, and quilt it heavily. It would be stiff enough to hold it's shape and yet soft to the touch.

BTW I love the idea of the opening. There are a lot of things you could do with it. Your sheer fabric or net, clear plastic, lace panel, or something along the lines of giant Hardanger in the opening. Debra in VA See my quilts at

You could also make a hanging sleeve at both the top and the bottom and buy those small curtain rods that hold themselves in place by pressure. Use those rods to mount the quilt within the opening.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

I used one of these for a Roman blind and it works a treat. If you don't need to raise/lower it, two would be great. . In message , Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. writes