Professional drapes are expensive, but necessary for a good look with medium to small quilts. We have a limited budget. I used bulk ordering of polyester black tablecloths from efavormart.com (there are other party supply sites to compare) The tablecloths come in sizes up to 90x132 and discounted with quantities. 46 cost about $255 with free shipping. One horizontally is about 9” off the ground with 8’ poles and a 3 1/2” pocket, but 2 vertically can be put together on a pole, if that is an issue and hemmed. You can buy 5/8” dowels from 36-72 inches, screw in eyelet screws on the ends, use 1/8” 325 black paracord (with cord locks purchased in bulk) attached over the drapes with hooks. The cord locks make it easy to avoid knots. Shower curtain hooks left open can be purchased in bulk and fit over the top rod or you can order 100 drape hooks from eventstable.com.(about $23)Paint all black for a better look.

The invisible system looks really nice! Maybe in the distant future for us. Meanwhile, we have the poles, but we need drapes and want to make them as cheaply as possible. Not sure what kind of fabric to get, and we don't want to buy a lot, then learn the hard way that we got something that doesn't work well.

Our guild uses black drapes on pipes and an invisible hanging system. Our system looks similar to the one in this link:http://www.hangupscompany.com/Photo_Gallery.html

Our guild contracts with a pole and drape company. They come in and set up the hanging space. We usually use black fabric and the drapes are not too gathered at the top. It is the same in Houston.

Should the drapes, which hang behind the quilts, be gathered at the top? or hang flat? And what type of fabric is recommended - Is something lightweight sufficient (for easy storage/transport/affordability)? Will something lightweight hang properly? I understand that some guilds use sheets? I don't want to have to reinvent the wheel, if some of you have experience with drapes for quilt shows. THANKS!