I saw this really neat 'disappearing' design wall at a recent quilt show. It consisted of a thin fuzzy backing material (the white backing on a vinyl table cloth) mounted to a pull-chain-operrated (as opposed to a spring loaded) roller shade tube. The entire roller shade assembly (side gear assembly and top brackets was mounted inside a valance-style box which could be wall or ceiling mounted. When not in use, the 'curtain' can be rolled up and out of site, saving wall and floor space for shelving.

I have heard bad things about the vinyl table cloth backing material--that it isn't really that 'sticky.' Can anyone suggest another material to test that could be mounted to a roller tube and rolled up and down without jamming?

I have read where some use flannel. I haven't the room for a "wall" so the roll-up idea is something I would love.

I don't know about something that can be rolled up when not in use, like Baysidegal said, flannel is one thing I have heard of.
My hubby made mine using foam insulation board, in addition to using it as a design board, I also use it to spray baste my quilts...we used four of the 4x8 sheets...I love how it works for me! As big as it is it does take up a lot of one wall, but I have the room for it...
Good luck to you,
Kif

cotton batting! mine does not roll up buts its from warm and natural.

i use felt on mine

Fleece here - the only thing that removes blocks is a certain Border Collie's happy tail. Mine is up with Velcro so it removes and replaces easily. The Velcro strip stays up, but this isn't in a busy room.

same here--have a very small sewing space and all available walls are lined with shelving and or my sewing table and chair. Very little room to walk around. Will let you know if I manage to pull off this project.

I made a roll up one to take to class. It is 40"x60" with one side fabric and one side warm and white batting. It works beautifully -- I put ties on it so I could roll up whatever I was working on and take it home without too much disruption.

A little heavier than flannel but a great fabric to "stick" blocks to is headliner(what is in the inside roof of cars). You can buy it in the home dec at Hancock's. Take a quilt block with you to Hancock's and see how well it sticks plus see if it is light enough to roll up. I have mine stapled to a wall.

Headliner can also be bought at Joanns. It comes on big rolls and its in with upholstery liners. Negative is that it's thicker so when rolled it's heavier than flannel, etc.

Kat