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I was at a quilt show just the other week and someone was selling design walls made from a very large shade backed with flannel or something like it that rolled up into a nice shelf brackit cover. down goes the wall, up goes the wall with your blocks on it when you want to put it away and all you see is a prety shelf, something like a window curtian shelf. This is the frist time I have written on this form, but been lurking for a long time. Lisa
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I purchased a large design wall several years ago but basically it's just flannel. Mine has grommets in the top for hanging. You could buy flannel, or a flannel backed tablecloth, or even a flannel flat sheet, and add the grommets yourself. Mine is hanging in the hallway. I bought those 3M hooks that have the removable adhesive strips so if I ever want to move it somewhere else, I can remove the hooks with no damage to my wall.
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I picked up a 4x6 piece of foam insulation board at the hardware store. Usually is pink or green. Cuts easily into whatever size you need. Cover with flannel......on both sides if you like. I lean mine against the wall and use both sides. It is light weight and pins stick straight in, making designing very easy :-D
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If you can afford it, there is a wonderful new product being produced if you have limited space. Go to vanishing design wall website and this product retracts. Very attractive and well built.
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I have a closet door that I take a flannel sheet, and drape it over the door, then close the door, and the flannel stays right where it is. Then it's easy to hang your quilt pieces on it! Easy to put up - easy to take down!
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Fons and Porter sell one with a grid on the back which helps getting your blocks straight. You hang it with the 3 M hooks that come off clean if you no longer want it where you have it.A design wall is very important especially if you are new to quilting. You can stand back and look before you sew. I'm just using mine for the first time and can't believe the difference.
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Mine is behind the door to the room I quilt in works just fine.
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This is the one I was taliking about, did not know of the web site thanks. Very neat product, nice quility, the flannel/vinel was very thick, seem like it would last.
Originally Posted by Tanya Bunch
If you can afford it, there is a wonderful new product being produced if you have limited space. Go to vanishing design wall website and this product retracts. Very attractive and well built.
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I use a vinyl flannel backed table cloth. Very inexpensive.
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I bought flannel back tablecloth from Joanne's by the yard (60) wide , then tacked to the wall- works real well
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I have a vinyl tablecloth turned backward at home but since I am with my son for two months in Florida, I have had him put up flannel. A believe a design wall is very important because it really help you see what you are working on.
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I have a queen size mattress with a mattress pad leaning up against the wall in my sewing room. The mattress pad sticks the blocks great without pinning. When company comes, I do pin what I have up, then remove the mattress pad until company leaves and I put the mattress pad back on the mattress and stand it back up along the wall. It works great for me.
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I also bought a $5.00 tablecloth from Walmart and have it nailed up. Moving my sewing room into my living room and have the perfect wall for a foam wall. (don't worry I'm moving my living room into a sitting room) there is just me so I don't need tons of room.
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Originally Posted by sewTinker
I have a vinyl tablecloth hung backwards against the wall with the flannel side facing outward. I've been using the same one for 12 years. lol... It's a red checkerboard and the checks show through a bit which is really rather helpful and provides a faint grid. But that was serendipitous. My husband painted a narrow board (white) and screwed it (or nailed it? not sure) across the top of the tablecloth to hold it steady.
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I use a cheap flannel backed plastic tablecloth. Your blocks will stick without pinning to the flannel backing. Buy the largest size that you can. I hang mine up with pants hangers to cover shelving. I can put it up as needed. Also it can be laid on the bed to put blocks on and then rolled up to be moved or stored. Also a great way to carry design to class! Also search this topic for other ideas. this topc has been posted many times.!!
A design wall lets you see how your blocks will look when put in order. It allows you to move blocks as needed. |
I purchased a tablecloth with flannel backing today at Dollar General and tacked it on a wall.. Holding squares nicely!!
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A flannel-backed is certainly the cheapest way to go. I bought one at WalMart for $3.00. Works great.
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I use the back of a plastic table cloth and put it up with old sewing machine needles. It's easy to take down and the holes are nearly invisible. If fabric is too heavy, I pin it to the cloth but most of the time it just sticks.
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Originally Posted by kathy
I bought a 4x8 sheet of foam insulation and covered it with felt because it was cheap, some blocks will stay on their own, some need a pin
Sorry! This should have gone with jillaine. Told you I was a block head! |
i wonder if my old cardboard cutting board would work? it's just been stuck in a corner for years.
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My hubby bought a 4 x 8 sheet of hardboard and we covered it with warm n natural batting and he screwed it to the wall behind the door in my sewing room. Works great. I need to clean the fabric threads off it though but here it is with 5 blocks on it. And then with one block on it.
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I'm using fleece - with the nap up. I'm amazed at how well it grabs the cotton pieces. I think it's even better than cotton. I bought a lot on sale to use as backing for baby quilts, which is why I had it.
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Originally Posted by jillaine
I've never used a design wall before, but am thinking I really should. (Evidence: I jump into piecing what I'm certain will be great combinations, sew them together, then... well, not so great...)
What do you use? I assume there are purchasable items made just for this purpose. I'm also seeking suggestions for do-it-yourself solutions. I also need to figure out what wall I'll possibly use, but I realize you can't help me with that! Thanks! I'm going to Lowes, and gonna get one of those insulation boards and put a sheet or something around it.. |
I would say flannel would be good to use but like you I don't know
where I would put it. I don't have a blank wall and too much furniture. |
I covered an etra large bulliten (sp) board with flannel. Stapled it on the back. Now I can use it with pins or not.
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I use a flannel backed tablecloth that comes in pkg for little or nothing. even can get end bolts at Joann's when on clearance. it works great to have hanging and just put you blocks on it and move them around till you like what you have. That is what I used when I made the Ben's Star quilt that is on my avatar. Wouldn't have been able to get it straight otherwise.
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If you have room foam board is great! I bought 2 four by eight sheets and taped them together......like a hinge... and pinned flannel on. I will eventually make it 7'x7' because it really is too LARGE but you could make it any size you want. When you are not using it, fold the boards together and take them to the garage or where ever you want. The only reason I did this is because I didn't have a place to hang flannel and this board can be propped up anywhere.
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I have the same tablecloth....Ha hahahah
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I just have a vinyl tablecloth pinned up with push tacks with the flannel side facing out. It works great!
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I use an inexpensive flannel-backed tablecloth. I have a quilt hanger attached to my wall where I display various quilts throughout the year. I just take the quilt down, put up the tablecloth, flannel-side out, and arrange my blocks. This works really well because I can take the tablecloth down and roll it or fold it and take it to my machine or to a class.
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Love your idea!
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Originally Posted by amandasgramma
I've tried all kinds, including those mentioned above. I don't have a wall large enough (without furniture in front of it) to hang anything. DH got some 2" thick foam insulation board from Lowes. It was 2 foot wide by 8 foot tall. He cut off 2 feet so it's now 2 x 6 foot. I have four panels. He duct taped them together....he alternated the taping - taping the first two panels on the front and the next two on the back. He duct taped around to protect all edges. Then we taped cheap batting on the front......It can fold up and be stashed in a closet.
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I use flannel on the back of my door. It's always out of the way, and if I need to close the door, I can take it down.
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Here is a tutorial on a portable design wall that looks easy to construct. I am thinking I will make one like this, even though I have one attached to a wall in my sewing room. One can always use more space!
http://terriesandelin.blogspot.com/2...-tutorial.html |
I went to the dollar store and bought a vinyl table cloth that had flannel on the back. I pin it up on the wall when I need it and fold it and put it away when I don't.
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Originally Posted by lalaland
I purchased a large design wall several years ago but basically it's just flannel. Mine has grommets in the top for hanging. You could buy flannel, or a flannel backed tablecloth, or even a flannel flat sheet, and add the grommets yourself. Mine is hanging in the hallway. I bought those 3M hooks that have the removable adhesive strips so if I ever want to move it somewhere else, I can remove the hooks with no damage to my wall.
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We riped up the sprinkler system in my back yard and the PVC was lying there so I got an idea to clean up enough for a 6x6 ft. frame to put flanel of it for a designer wall. I will tell you how it turns out when we get around and make it.
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I'm so grateful you asked and so grateful for the wonderful ideas posted. Thanks!
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I use a flannel-backed plastic table cloth from Family Dollar...Works great!
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Welcome, Lisa. Most of us started that way lol.
Originally Posted by wiffie
I was at a quilt show just the other week and someone was selling design walls made from a very large shade backed with flannel or something like it that rolled up into a nice shelf brackit cover. down goes the wall, up goes the wall with your blocks on it when you want to put it away and all you see is a prety shelf, something like a window curtian shelf. This is the frist time I have written on this form, but been lurking for a long time. Lisa
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