I have a class coming up and it was recommended to have a design wall - flannel or some fabric. I need it to be portable, and I'd like to be able to put it up in my house. I saw Clover puts out a portable that is around 35.00. But, why can't I use batting? It seems like similar make.

I also read some reviews about the portable design wall that is really hard to set up - it has poles and such to hold it up. I would really appreciate input from any of you who use a design wall and can't leave it up all the time.

Thanks!!

Oh Sue, How smart are you? I never thought of that...perfect....I can"t wait to get home tonight and try it.

That is what I use also. Make sure you buy a quality table cloth not one from the dollar store.
I pin mine to a curtain rod and hang it over nails on the wall.
Someday would like to make a nice one with car headliner. That is what Eleanor Burns made hers with.

I also use the flannel back table cloth on my wall for a design wall. It works great.

I use the smaller square tablecloth for classes, it's the perfect size. I use push pins to hang it, with permission of course. And Rose Marie is right do not use a cheap one. Go to a good dept store that sells kitchenware and get one that has real flannel on the back, not the spidery batting. One good portable wall is to buy the cardboard pattern lay out board. It folds up and very lightweight. I covered one with flannel and it works great to stand on it's on. At guild we use foam board presentation boards covered in flannel. They stand up on a table top. You can find these at Staples, Office Depo and some WalMarts.

I bought the design wall from either keepsake quilting or connecting thread (can't remember which one). It was such a rip off. It is basically a piece of batting. I was not very happy and I paid something like $30 for it. Thankfully, I didn't buy the very big one.

on the subject of design walls, i have a cork wall that i use with push pins. it works fine, but it's a pain in the whosey. which is better to cover it with: flannel or felt?

I have a large Block Butler, looks like batting, but is tacky on both sides. Stick it to a wall, and away you go. I have a quilting friend who has just bought the 1 yard square version, and she sticks it to her wardrobe door. It can be portable, because it is supplied with plastic covering on each side that can be replaced as and when. Also, when it loses its tackiness, the instructions say to wash it gently and the tackiness is restored, and it doesn't damage paintwork etc.

Why thank you!! It's almost as addicting as the quilting... :lol: :-)

Oh my!! As I read this I looked around my quilting room/office and discovered my "design wall" was gone! I'd just repainted and reorganized last week..........where IS it!?!? Well, I found it stashed behind the dresser in the guest room LOL LOL Mine is a 4x6 piece of 3" foam board. The foam board is originally used to insulate walls. I glued flannel on it. But truthfully, I like the idea of the flannel backed table cloth --- easier to hide and lose!!!!! :mrgreen:

thanks, all. looks like flannel it is.

Hi. I just joined this today, and already I am addicted to it. I can't wait to get started quilting. Does this site have a page of free quilt patterns? Just curious. I really love to look at the patterns. It is almost as good as quilting and gives me so many ideas. Happy quilting and most of all, all of you have a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year. Happyfarmwife

ditto to this, its by far the most commonly used wall in my area

Wow, thanks! I have 4X8 sheets of foam insulation in my garage from my teaching days. I will buy some neutral flannel and turn these into my new wall!

Careful. I bought a flannel backed tablecloth and the flannel ont he back was thin and not very fuzzy. It coul dhold up only small pieces, 10" blocks would only stay put for a minute or 2.

I'm sure that better quality ones will probably work better. So be careful not to get the cheap one from a dollar store.

You can use the "Search" feature to see what is there. I haven't used it for this purpose, but there's always "Quilter's Cache". Welcome to the board!

Butterflywing --

I used felt because it comes in very wide bolts and no piecing was required for my 8 foot square board (insulation panels).

Felt priced out cheaper for me.

And to me it feels a little more substantial. Less show-through of the pink insulation board underneath -- I wanted a pure white so my colors were more accurate when photographing.

RST

my "design wall" is the package of cotton batting that i have hanging from the top of the storage shelves in my basement waiting for the folds to hang out. LOVE IT!!!! The pieces stick to it by itself - or you can easily stab straight pins in it.

what an adorable project manager!