Design wall: batting, fleece or batting??
 

Hi y'all! My sewing room is nearly done at last, all that's left is the design wall. I'll head to the big box store this week for insulation board. But I only get to do this once, so which of the three covering choices is best? Holds fabric the best, and holds up the longest? Thanks for the advice.

I've successfully used craft felt from Joann's for many years now. It's wide so covers the whole 4 x 8 foot insulation board that I've used and cleans up easily when covered with threads by a tape roller being rolled over it. I worried this action might ruin the "stickiness" of the felt, but it doesn't.

I have a gridded very light weight flannel (almost like a combed cotton) on mine that I believe I bought from Keepsakes Quilting about 5 years ago. I love the grid although I really don't know why because it isn't necessary. Individual blocks stay up without any problem. When you start sewing the rows together for the quilt, it can get too heavy to stay up by itself so I use pins which go through the insulation board without any problem. I also can clean the threads away with a lint roller.

I vote for flannel, in any color except white. Took a workshop from a big name designes, he suggests light grey or beige.

I have flannel, mine is white but I love it.

I used one of the Fons & Porter design walls. I love it.

Yesterday at JoAnne's I saw a Fons and Porter Design Wall for $20+ and all it was was a flannel backed vinyl tablecloth (at least from initial appearances)...I couldn't believe it!

I bought white felt at JoAnn's for my design wall. I have it attached on a curtain rod in front of my sewing room window. When not in use it is rolled up and held together with 3 pieces of red ribbon. I like it.

debra

I have black polar fleece ... it was wide, doesn't look grubby (as white would become)
Yes, threads will show, then you can quickly run a lint roller over it.

I covered tentest sheeting with it, then screwed the boards onto the wall.

Holds fabric, blocks and even full sized quilts .......... no pins needed! :)

We just purchased the "Disappearing Design Wall" from the internet. I fits over the closet doors and when you don't need it you can just leave on your pieces of fabric, and roll it up on the blind - it is like the flannel backed tablecloths that you see. The shelf that holds the design wall, has a shelf on top, so you can use it for various items. It is really nice, and the wooden shelf is made from a really light wood. You can get them any colors that you like.