design board flannel or felt?
01-24-2016, 08:04 AM
#52
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: over here
Posts: 1,113
Never even considered washing my design "wall". I do go after it with a clothes brush now and again because of the little threads and fabric detritus that ends up sticking on the board. Works wonderfully and leaves my wall just like new! I would go for the best deal felt or flannel and the color you like best, white or cream.
01-24-2016, 08:05 AM
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Moira, NY
Posts: 520
I appreciate Love to Sew asking this question. You ladies have given me helpful ways to put up my design board. Thank you all for the information.
I have just moved my quilting room to the bigger bedroom in my mobile home. I am still trying to get it settled. I have been working on it in between sewing projects.
Thanks again.
I have just moved my quilting room to the bigger bedroom in my mobile home. I am still trying to get it settled. I have been working on it in between sewing projects.
Thanks again.
01-24-2016, 08:11 AM
#54
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: over here
Posts: 1,113
01-24-2016, 08:16 AM
#55
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: over here
Posts: 1,113
Those of you who have never needed to wash the fabric on a design wall must not have cats! 
When I had Warm n Natural batting on my wall years ago, I did have problems with blocks falling off it. I think it may be because my dh made the design wall flat against the wall. I have since thought that covering styrofoam from the hardware store would work better since I could prop that against the wall and the batting would then not be straight up-and-down; the slant would help keep the blocks in place. Ideally I would "box" the styrofoam with lightweight wooden strips which would extend beyond the styrofoam to create legs. This would lift the styrofoam off the floor so I wouldn't have to bend down as much (and also so the cats would not be brushing against it all the time!). I like the idea of having a moveable wall too.
When I had Warm n Natural batting on my wall years ago, I did have problems with blocks falling off it. I think it may be because my dh made the design wall flat against the wall. I have since thought that covering styrofoam from the hardware store would work better since I could prop that against the wall and the batting would then not be straight up-and-down; the slant would help keep the blocks in place. Ideally I would "box" the styrofoam with lightweight wooden strips which would extend beyond the styrofoam to create legs. This would lift the styrofoam off the floor so I wouldn't have to bend down as much (and also so the cats would not be brushing against it all the time!). I like the idea of having a moveable wall too.
01-24-2016, 08:18 AM
#56
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: over here
Posts: 1,113
How does felt feel the impact of pets faster than flannel or fleece, Madame kelly? I admit we have a cat who considers the design wall to be her own private climbing adventure space, but I rather think that felt is holding up to the weight of a cat's body suspended by claws into the fabric better than flannel would. She is most likely to attack the design wall if there are any flying geese blocks -- our theory is that in her primitive little brain the vaguely bird like shape triggers a hunting impulse.
This particular cat has a love/hate relationship with all things quilting related. I've witnessed her pulling every pin out of pin cushion with her teeth, laying them in a neat pile, and then taking off with the pin cushion as her latest prey. She also is prone to lick best press residue off of any surface that may have had some overspray. She's definitely weird and a bit of a menace.
This particular cat has a love/hate relationship with all things quilting related. I've witnessed her pulling every pin out of pin cushion with her teeth, laying them in a neat pile, and then taking off with the pin cushion as her latest prey. She also is prone to lick best press residue off of any surface that may have had some overspray. She's definitely weird and a bit of a menace.
01-24-2016, 08:21 AM
#57
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: over here
Posts: 1,113
I used felt, tacked it to a wooden dowel so I can roll it out of the way when not in use. After a year it was not longer sticky. Apparently it needs some static electricity to hold the cloth. I took it down wet it slightly in the sink, threw it in the dryer on delicate good as new.
01-24-2016, 08:37 AM
#58
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,726
I truly do miss having them around, but not in the cards for now!
Another simple design wall idea ..... when my big wall was not big enough, and I wanted a wall for my Dear Jane blocks, I made another.
Covered corrugated plastic with white fleece (my DJs are all white background with blues). I filled a wall space between a window and the sliding doors in my sewing room, so have a spot 5-1/2 'x8'. Careful if you have a plug ... I cut that section out, so I still have access. With the corrugated behind, you can still stab in pins, if/when needed.
For those who do not want it permanently mounted, the 4'x8' hangs easily with two picture hangers. You can then take it down and slide it behind a piece of furniture, under a bed, etc. when you want it out of site. Mine is now permanently mounted, but I tried it this way first, until I knew it was going to work.
01-24-2016, 08:44 AM
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Richmond, Texas
Posts: 846
I used flannel. I have 2 boards that are 4' x 8' that I sprayed adhesive on, then covered each with flannel. The boards have a groove in them so that they will push together, then I use "U" shaped long floral pins to keep them together when I'm working on a large quilt. Pushed together and pinned, I then have a board that's 8' x 16' so that I can pin larger quilt blocks onto. If I'm having an event or need to take the boards down for some reason, they are easier to store because they are separate.
01-24-2016, 10:17 AM
#60
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 947
I do wonder if the range of opinions/experience reflects differences in static electricity in our various homes and regions?
We have no static electricity. No carpet in the house (hardwood only) and we live in the rainy Pacific northwest. I often have windows open while quilting, so the thing most likely to dislodge blocks from my design wall is a slight breeze so I like having the option to stick a pin into the insulation board.
I can well imagine that in a very different setting and climate, different materials would perform better.
We have no static electricity. No carpet in the house (hardwood only) and we live in the rainy Pacific northwest. I often have windows open while quilting, so the thing most likely to dislodge blocks from my design wall is a slight breeze so I like having the option to stick a pin into the insulation board.
I can well imagine that in a very different setting and climate, different materials would perform better.
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