A slight digression from the op about basting process but whilst the topic of design walls was incorporated in the topic..........
my DH screwed a long piece of U shaped metal channel at one end to the top of the old bookcase in my sewing room so that the main length of the rod sticks out along the wall. I then use bulldog clips to clip a double bed blanket to the U lip of the rod so that it hangs down to the ground and there you go...I have a design wall.
Blanket can be quickly unclipped and folded away when I don't need it and the length of metal channel is up so high it isn't in the way of anything.