Portable design board
 

Is it possible to make a portable design board to take to classes with samples on.

My design board is made by cutting a 4 x 8 piece of styrofoam board into 4 pieces, which makes each one 2 x 4 ft, easier for me to put on the wall or take with me. Also, easier to use scrap batting pieces to cover it.

I just folded some flannel around a square of heavy duty cardboard and use a bookstand to set it on when I go to workshops or my MIL's. Mine is roughy 20 x16. :)

Just an idea, but has anyone seen the cardboard folding display boards. Large center section, folding wings. What if that was covered with fleece, even using spray basting, would that make a usable portable design board. I have no idea if this would work, but recall seeing the boards before Christmas at Staples when shipping gifts.
If necessary duct tape or masking tape could be put around the edge to keep whatever fabric is used to cover the cardboard. Wouldn't last forever, but might be inexpensive enough to be doable.

Exactly where my mind was going!

This is how I made mine.

Jan in VA

One really easy design "board" is a flannel-backed tablecloth. Lay out your pieces on the flannel side and roll it up. You can roll it around a pool noodle to help keep everything smooth. Easy to carry and to store. If you want to hang it up, you can use 3M sticky-back clips on a wall, or you can use pants/skirts hangers (clamp them to the top of the tablecloth and hang over the top of a door, on hooks, etc.). One friend even put buttonholes in her tablecloth and hooks it onto 3M sticky-back hooks. For one of my king-size quilts, I sewed two tablecloths together to accommodate the many squares that had to be in definite pattern. That thing got rolled up and toted all over the country (seriously!) as I worked on it while we traveled in our rv.

For a smaller board (up to 20"x30"), I've made little portable design boards out of foam core board and pieces of warm & natural batting using this tutorial <http://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/2011/07/mini-design-board-tutorial.html>. You can make these any size you want...10" squares are good for laying out pieces of small blocks and keeping them organized until you're ready to sew them. You can stack them and transport them in a tote bag or box.

this was my first thought

In one of my small groups we did this. Just glued batting onto the board, even the sides that fold in. We cut a piece of clear vinyl the size of the middle section and when we get ready to leave just clip that (using those bulldog clips) to the middle (to keep everything in place) fold in our sides and ready to go. They stand up pretty good

Just a chuckle to add. My secret Santa sent me a pretty 'portable design wall' in my gift, and dufus that I am, I looked at it and thought it was a 'stuff it yourself' pillow! Lol!

Oh, thank you so much ladies. Your ideas have sparked my brain to look at things to use. Fantastic answers.

The easiest for toting around ... buy some fleece (or flannelette) .... and take some painters tape.
You can then tape it to any wall, with no damage.
When your class is over, you can carefully remove it with all your pieces in tact and roll it up, to take home.


I too was thinking that the student project boards mentioned above would be perfect for those wanting a small design wall.



Another portable one I've seen ... make a panel with rod pockets top and bottom .... put over a door and you have a design wall on both sides of the door. This isn't so realistic for a class, unless you can lay claim to the classroom door! It does work great for those who travel as it can be easily rolled up and tucked into the car or a corner of a trailer.

Fons and Porter has a great one that you hang on the wall on hooks. It can be taken down anytime...

A flannel-backer plastic table cloth can be hung on the wall for a portable design board. Works great and takes little space to transport--leaving more room for fabrics. lol

Maybe these could be adapted for travel.
http://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/...-tutorial.html

I found a package of 6 foam insulation board pieces, each 18" x 48". I duck taped 2 together on one side so they will fold. I did this with 4 pieces to make 2 separate 36" x 48" boards. Covered these with flannel. When I need the board I can lean against the wall next to each other. This works for me. I live in a condo with minimum storage. These fold up for easy storage and fit in the car if I want to transport.

How about a trifold display board. My youngest just used one for her science fair project. I may need to pull off the photos and cover it with felt.

These are wonderful ideas - now to pick the one that I want. Decisions, decisions!

I got lucky and have a two fold cardboard of Trace Ackins. I folded him to the inside and covered the back side with a flannel backed table cloth. It's easy to transport and can sneak peep every once in awhile inside He He