Design wall
 

I purchased a flannel backed tablecloth to use on the wall and stuck it up with blue painter's tape. It worked great when I was placing individual blocks on it, but when I hung up the sewn top to see what it would look like, the darn thing fell down onto the floor. Any suggestions for a temporary way to affix it to the wall?

sticky back velcro?

How about sewing some loops or attaching grommets and then use those Command Hooks they advertise on TV. That way you wouldn't have to punch holes in the wall.

Thanks for your idea quiltsRfun! I've had problems with mine as well ... Only I used very small nails with no heads but your idea sounds like the solution!

Have you tried using tacks, not sure anything could hold the weight of a large quilt top.
Unless a more permanent design wall was used.

Stretch the flannel sheets around some fiberboard and lean them against the wall

I used flannel on a frame made of 1 x 2 slats. I covered the raw edges with some cheap wood trim then sprayed the flannel with 505 spray I used to use for machine embroidery. One light coat of spray has worked to hold up the heaviest quilt I've worked on so far.

Great ideas, ladies! Thanks for taking the time to help me out! I think I'll try the grommets & command strips. That sounds like a workable solution for the time being. :)

Hi Wendy-I use a flannel tablecloth as well. Mine is up using thumbtacks, 4 across top and bottom and a few down the sides. Holds up perfectly.

This is a great idea! I have been trying to think of a way to hang a design wall, but I can't put holes in the walls. Perfect solution! Thanks from me too!

Hi,
I purchased the fons and porter design wall at JoAann's with my 50% off coupon, it was only $12.00 and already has grommets at the top, so was easy to hang on the command hooks and it does hold a quilt top.

I pin mine to the living room curtain. LOL Works for me.

I use Office stick/push pins and old sewing machine needles, so far they have held up two flannel backed tablecloths that I sewed together; floor to ceiling and almost wall to wall. My wall can hold a queen size quilt and stay up. Total cost around $6.00.

Excellent idea! Why didn't I think of that when I was using a piece of batting? It held the blocks but not joined pieces.

quiltsRfun, you're brilliant.

best,
d

My son-in-law put up a decorative curtain rod over a double closet door....put weights on the end of the heavy flannel wool fabric..works great and when I don't want it roll it up and tie with ribbon ..out of the way ..works great...and cheap to do..

The Command Hooks are the solution if the walls are fairly smooth. I use them to hold design walls up at retreats. At home, however, my walls are textured, and don't stay up as well.

If your wall allows it you could put some sort of hook to hang skirt hangers that clip the flannel, but are still temporary

3M has hooks that don't harm the wall, the you could hook the tablecloth up. Try it??????

I use thumb tacks and a flannel tablecloth as well. Since its my quilt room my husband is okay with it. I've hung a queen size quilt on my wall. My walls are in my little quilt room are made of gyprock.

But I like the idea of the 3 m hooks. If you go this route let us know how it works okay. My quilt room is in Newfoundland, Canada and I'm a snowbird in Phoenix Arizona for the winter.

what a great idea!Im goung to use this in my own sewing room! thanks for the insite!

This was my solution for quite a while, then I just went with the LARGE headed tacks found in office supply areas. Looks like there are lots of options - hard to say what's best...

Tacks or little nails.

If you have a large window, sometimes those plastic clothes hangers with the clips for holding skirts etc that come with clothing bought at most stores work great. Just hang the hangers off the curtain rod and clip the quilt or design wall (mine is also a flannel back tablecloth) up with the clips.

thumbtacks used here

I love my portable design wall, which leans just enough so practically nothing ever falls off. I almost never have to use pins. Just buy the 2" think pink styrofoam insulation that is used in basements, etc. (home depot) Cover with Flannel. I made covers like giant pillow cases and covered two of the 4x8 sheets of foam. then hand whip stitched together on one edge. I covered them so that one side is light blue other side is dark green. nice to switch depending on what value of blocks you are auditioning. so they stand out.