The Design Wall Era … and tutorial
My “studio space” doesn’t have a spot for a design wall. It is not that I wouldn’t like one or haven’t found other ways to get some perspective on projects I am working on. I have used my digital camera and looked at the work in progress on the screen, I have put my project on the floor in my hallway and gone up the stairs to gaze down, I have put up a “portable” design wall (that was an unhappy experience setting it up … like assembling a tent … poles springing everywhere!) and I have taken quilts to Biz’s house to “hang” on her bank of kitchen cupboards!
It wasn’t until we were backing up, practically through the french doors into Biz’s dining room that we found out just how bossy this flock of geese were and just how much it needed those two borders to stay visually contained and manageable! It’s helpful to get perspective on your work. Darra and I had been talking about what they use for design walls on her annual retreat with her friends … flannel wrapped sheets of foam insulation. So a quick trip to Home Depot was in order to remedy my situation.
I found the sheets of white styrofoam insulation in the building materials area with the drywall. The 2’x8’x1″ sheet was perfect.
Once home, I cut the sheet of insulation in half, using my Exacto knife and my quilting cutting mat.
Warning: Do one decisive cut, all the way through the first time if you can. I did two passes with the knife and in the process made lots and lots of tiny, clingy bits! A quick roll with a lint roller removed any left over bits from my cutting board.
Using flannel for one side and bleached factory cotton for the other, I cut the fabric 2″ larger than the sheet of insulation. I stitched up three sides using a 1/2″ seam allowance, pivoting at the corners. To make box corners, I folded the fabric as shown, matching the seam allowances …
… and then keeping the 1/2″ line on the ruler on top of the seam, I moved the ruler down the seam allowance from the point until it measured 1″ across from edge to edge of the fabric and marked the line.
I stitched on the line and trimmed.
Turning the case inside out, I slid the board inside, turned under the raw edges, folding in the ends as if wrapping a present, pinned the ends into place by sticking the ends into the styrofoam, and stitched the opening closed. I made two from the sheet of insulation, to put side by side for bigger projects.
And the boards slide nicely under the sofa for storage when I am not using them!
It’s a new era!
Do you use a design wall?
If you haven’t already done so, stop by this week’s blog book tour stop, Jenny at Martingale’s “Stitch This” where you will find an excerpt from the book featuring some of the antique quilts and projects from the book! If this is your first time to my blog, welcome and be sure to go to my inaugural post and leave a comment for a chance to win one of ten giveaways.
Have a great week
&
Happy Stitching!
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I use an ancient, beat up, ripped and terribly pilled poly blanket that is tacked up to the wall in my sewing room. I’ve stretched it every which way to make it taught, and it works like a charm! Zero $….I love that! I also love your term ‘bossy’……it says it all! Ha!
What a cool tip. thanks, maybe I can have a design wall for my small sewing closet, I mean space.
I use part of my wall in my office with two cardboard cutting mats. My DH stapled gun to the wall near my sewing table. I usually have several projects going on at the sametime and I can what blocks are missing to complete my quilt. Also, I use it to re-arrange my blocks before I sew them together. Thanks for sharing your tip today. Judith, Texas
my design wall is made up of insulation boards covered with batting and a flannel sheet , then attached to 1/4th inch plywood
yes mine are attached to the wall but I have friends that made it the same way and lay it under their bed…
the insulation boards are about $5. at any building supplies store
4 ft by 8ft is my guess…
Kathie
What a great quilt you’re sharing! Super idea for the design wall. I do use a DW. I use picnic tablecloths. They work great but I also have a lot of wall space. No one here to complain either. 😉 lovely to visit and meet. *karendianne.
What a great idea! I’ve been struggling with various makeshift design wall ideas, none of which have been particularly good, but your idea will be perfect for my space!
I use the floor or hold blocks up in front of a mirror. In my new house I’m planning on having a wall just like the ones you made here.
Love the smilies, where do you get those? Scrapbook supplies? I like the styrofoam too. I like the light weight.