Directions for 4″ Permanent Sleeve

This sleeve is applied at the same time as the binding. Cut a strip of fabric 8 1⁄2” wide and about 2” shorter than the width of your quilt. For example, a 70” strip for a quilt that is 72” wide. Hem the ends and fold the strip in half, lengthwise, with right sides out. Place raw edges of the sleeve along the unfinished top edge of the quilt and pin to the quilt back, as you’re pinning the binding to the quilt front. Stitch through all the layers. Blind stitch the binding over the stitching line on the quilt back, then blind stitch the bottom, folded edge of the sleeve to the quilt.

Directions for 4″ Temporary Sleeve (YouTube Tutorial)

With this method, you apply the sleeve after the binding has been finished. Cut a strip of fabric 8 1⁄2” wide and 2” shorter than the width of the quilt. Hem the two ends by turning under twice 1/4″ to eliminate any raw edges. Leaving the ends open, iron the fabric in half lengthwise. Open the fabric with the crease facing down and turn each side in to meet in the middle crease. Iron each side so there are three creases in total. Sew the raw edges of the fabric into a tube with a 1/4″ seam, wrong sides together. Place the sleeve seam side down across the width of the quilt. Hand stitch the top creased edge of the sleeve 1/2″  below the binding. Hand stitch the bottom creased edge across the bottom of the sleeve.