I am looking to make my mother a design wall for christmas out of a roller shade but all I am finding are very expensive shades online. My questions are does it matter what the shade is made out of for the flannel to stick to it better? What type of glue? Where do I buy a shade that wont break my bank and finally will she love it or will it be a nusance that never really rolls up right? thanks for any and all tips :-)

I look forward to people thoughts on this. I think it is a great idea but have not tried it yet.

I used permanent spray adheasive to cover a cheap shade with fabric for my daughters bedroom window. It went together easy and lasted many years. I was able to raise and lower the shade. It should be the same if you use flannel or another lightweight fabric.

Why not just attach the vinyl/flannel sheet directly onto a shade roller with a staple gun

Would the staples snag?

Elmer's makes a spray adhesive craft glue, it would work really well for attaching the flannel to the shade. It is NOT washable and is very inexpensive :D:D:D

you can buy the parts to make a shade and then the cost is very inexpensive.

then just attach a flannel back table cloth to the shade roller.

I've seen the inexpensive roller shades at places like the dollar stores, Walmart, etc. Even Bed, Bath & Beyond has the "cheap" ones. Also might try Home Depot or Lowes.

I would think that the staples might be a problem with them catching as you roll up the shade but since I haven't done one, I can't be certaiin.

the thrift stores at times have very reasonable shades available-
then just glue (spray craft adhesive) flannel to the shade- or you can just remove the shade and put flannel on instead.

The wider shades are kind of pricey. But if you can find a cheap roller as was suggested earlier, then you can add whatever type fabric you want. And regarding the staples, that is what a lot of the purchased ones have attaching the shade to the roller. Just be sure your staple gun drives them in really flat.

great idea for space saving.

I actually saw something like this on a website- they made a box to put it in and hung it over the closet doors.

Your post made me think: Could a roll up design wall be made from an old projector screen? What do you think? They are being discarded all over the place (from schools, e.g.) since almost no one is using slides, 8mm anymore.

Sounds like a great idea to me.

Did you ever end up making this and if so could you give us some directions or tips?! :D

paint fingernail polish over the staples. it will smooth over any snags from the staples. my sister did this when she replaced some old shades from Goodwill with new fabric. the shades rolled up just fine and looked new! flannel is heavier than what she used. (He-man fabric for her son.) so I don't know about that.

have you thought about taping two smaller shades together to make a wider one? I think I would like to try one too! great idea! thank you for sharing! I live in a small trailer and have no room for a design wall. I could put this over the window in place of the curtain!!!