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!

Flannel is a great do-it yourself way. Then you can put it up and take it down as needed.

How does the flannel work?

Do quilt pieces stick to it? Do you pin it? Can you tell I'm completely NEW at this concept?

Will a flannel sheet work? Or does it need to be heavier?

Thanks!

-- Jillaine

I use an old white flannel sheet that was one of my mil's.

I sew in my bedroom so I use clothes pins to pin it to the decorative front of my double closet sliding doors.

Someone else I know uses tacks and pins hers where the ceiling and walls meet, and then takes it down when she doesn't need it. That way she doesn't have pin holes in the walls, and she can maximize the whole wall, floor to ceiling.

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.

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

My sister and I made portable "walls" that we can bring to each other's houses when working together.

We used the tri-fold display boards (the kind students use for science fair projects) and covered them with flannel. We cut the flannel several inches larger than the board so we could wrap it around the edges and used a hot glue gun to glue it to the back.

This can be closed flat for storage and can be closed with a WIP inside and moved from place to place without disturbing your work.

Ooh, that's a good idea. I don't have space for a design wall right now, but I plan to have one when I find a new flat. Most of the time I'm using freezer paper templates (I use the Ruth McDowell method), so the pieces won't stick to a standard design wall that's a sheet or what have you, they need to be pinned. (I have one 22" x 26" wall hanging whose size was determined by the largest cork noticeboard I could find, which is all I have at the moment.) Putting felt/flannel/whatever is cheapest that fabric will stick to on top of foam insulation sounds like the best of both worlds. I'd been thinking of cork, which would be rather expensive, although on the plus side the sound insulation may be useful.

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.

Lots of great ideas here!
My DH used some extra sound insulation panels 1/2" to make my design wall. They are coverd in a mauve fabric to make them look nice and I use pins to hold everything on.