well, i'm finally getting around to putting up a design wall. it'll have to be in our living room (we spend most of our time in the family room), because the only other location is the area going upstairs to my 'room' and i wouldn't be able to step back to see my creations. so anyway . . .

any recommendations on color? i bought a big piece of navy blue felt (some time ago), but now i'm wondering if i should go with a lighter color?

i'm going to be hanging it on those wood quilt hanging thingies with the marble in it (quilting notions at jo-anns) so i can take it down when appropriate.

thanks for any input!

HI fabricluvr,
I just did one and did a little research online first...hope you find this helpful.
I used a product from Lowe's that was inexpensive, used for insulation (?) normally and a great find. The person I spoke to suggested "blue board" which I found, but used a different type in the same isle.
I used whatever material I had here and had a few choices. I placed a light colored finished block on each to see if it was a problem. I found that the darker material distorted the color of the block and I thought I might have an issue always seeing a dark space between each block when figuring a layout. I also noticed the light threads on the dark background right away and knew it would annoy me. If it's not distracting to you, it would be nice. I ended up picking a light pink tiny floral...from far away, it falls away and the blocks really stand out so I can get the images right in my head. It's a 70s poly flannel and EVERYTHING sticks to it.

thanks retrogirl!

70's poly flannel as in made in the 1970's or something i can purchase today? my small portable design board is a light green flannel and it works pretty well. i probably will end up going with flannel. i agree with the stray light color threads. would probably annoy me and take lots of time to get them off of there!

what will i do with lots of yards of navy felt? :-o :wink:

any other input?

Patty-My design wall is also covered in white flannel. I "auditioned" a darker color, too, and found that it totally changed the coloring of my quilts. White or ecru is a better color. Have you thought of just covering a large sheet of foam insulation (with flannel)? You could lean it against a wall in your quilt room and stick your blocks on it as you go. Then when you need to step back from your project you could easily carry it to another room and lean it against a wall where you can stand back and see it from a distance. Just a thought :-)

This is what I did also. I bought foam insulation at Home Depot and sprayed adhesive on the silver side, then covered it with white flannel. Colors look truer against pure white. And because the design wall is made of foam insulation board it is extremely light to move around. Everything sticks to the flannel, and you can pin heavier pieces to it without harm. Total cost to make the design wall: $25.

I went to walmart and bought a piece of vinyl tablecloth with the flannel back........i use thumb tacks to put it up You could roll it up with pieces on if you had to. cheap an easy :D

I used a light color off white or biege are godd colors.

Bebe

this is kind of what i was thinking with hanging it on the wall. i could take it down and roll it up. my hobby room has vaulted ceilings so there is no where to lean a large piece of insulation board. and trying to navigate it around and up two flights of stairs . . . i would probably break my neck! maybe one day in a different house . . .

thanks for everyone's input. more is welcome

Well, if that is what you need, and you have a large window in your sewing room, I have read about using an old fashioned roll up window blind and spraying it with adhesive, applying felt or flannel and using that as a design wall. You can roll it up with your blocks in it and pull it down for use.

Yeah, LOL made in the 70s...amazing what you find in the stash when you clean up, isn't it? :lol: Maybe I should change the name to retrodork LOL.

In any case, the flannel should work, especially the cheaper flannelette (think walmart flannel compared to your quilt store flannel). If you have to buy it, see whatever is less expensive...the other person I talked to online did suggest the felt but I wasn't about to blow my fabric budget for the month on this project. I'd say the $25 estimate was about right. I washed and dried the fabric first and ran the dryer again just before I put it on...oooh the joys of static cling!!

I didn't spray mine with my precious spray adhesive. Just put it down on top of an old poly blanket, cut it oversized tucked it to the backside and started stapling. Quick, easy, cheap and such a bonus to have!