I don't really have a design wall, but my solution suits me.

The room where I do most of my quilting has several large windows. Some years ago I bought very cheap floor length calico (I think you call it muslin in the US) curtains from IKEA. There are six panels, each of them 1.40m wide and 2m long. I just close some of them and pin fabrics, blocks and quilts to them. I never run out of design wall space.

Lorchen

eileenkny wrote:
It might be spelled "donnacona" rather than "donacona," Eileen. I can't find an authoritative source. "Donnacona" seems to be a generic name rather than a brand name. Most building supply stores in my area carry it, but no one seems to be able to tell me who makes it!

It's a type of fibreboard that's used in sound insulation. It's half an inch thick and very light--you need a frame to hold it stable, or you need to attach it permanently to a wall or door, because it will break if you don't.

Anne in Vancouver, Canada

What is donacona? I have never heard of it before.
eileenkny

sewbug wrote:
I bought a Block Butler to take to guild retreats. It was kind of frustrating because stuff kept falling off it. It also fell off the wall if I put anything heavy on it, like a bunch of blocks that had been sewn together. I finally gave up and bought a piece of gridded flannel for retreats, instead.

I have the same gridded flannel on my permanent design wall at home. I have a large cabinet with heavy oak sliding doors, which are covered with donacona and then the gridded flannel. I can stick pins in the donacona. It's the perfect solution for me. You can see pictures of it in my profile.

Anne in Vancouver, Canada

At the moment I'm using the unused jigsaw puzzle folder. I has two smaller additional boards inside too that are useful and the whole thing is a neutral grey colour. Not huge I know but it helps with blocks.

Had to laugh, NancyAnn, because I went to Lowe's last week and bought the 4x8' core foam board and took it out to my Subaru Forrester to take home, never having given a minute's thought as to how I would get it home!

I also had a bunch of other stuff in the car (like a dog crate) so as I was struggling with the thing in the brisk breeze, a nice gentleman came over and helped me squeeze it in after the seats were down, etc.

Talk about poor planning!

Glad I don't do my quilts that way!!!

I also bought the 4 x 8' insulation board and at first it was a nightmare! I barely got it in my van. It's too tall for most of the ceilings in the house so I had to lay it sideways. That took up way too much room in any of our rooms. I don't have the use of a full-time sewing room.

I finally cut it into 4 2' x 4' sections and this has worked fairly well. I usually keep 2 of them standing against the wall next to my ironing board. Right now they have my 3 BOM blocks pinned on. The third is covered with a piece of flannel. I can stack them 4 deep when I need them out of the way or spread them across the front of the tv cabinet when I need a large area. I can take one into the other room right next to my sewing machine. Portable!

I also use a flannel backed table cloth. It's a great portable design wall for taking to retreats. I look forward to the day when I have a real sewing room and can mount these 4 pieces side by side and cover the whole thing with flannel. Nancy in NY

Pam,
I think I wrote to you asking about this. I have to get hubby to get on the ball and do this for me
eileenkny

I just have a small room for my sewing, all wall space is taken with shelves. So I made a design wall using 1/2" pvc pipe, the connectors that go with it in the same size. Then just used flannel for the wall part. This is portable, easy to take apart and put together. Mine is 5' square, and has a pole going from the center top in back to the floor to support it. Works great and is very inexpensive to make. I even made a smaller one just to use for block layout.
Pam ( aka Tnhoney)

I have a 6' wide, 6' tall bookcase which holds my fabric. I am going to put velcro across the top, and put a piece of batting on it. Then I will put a piece of velcro on the top side of the batting, and place a fabric curtain on top of that. That way, threads that adhere to the batting won't look nasty when the design wall is not in use, and the curtain looks good when company comes (my sewing studio is in my family room).
Linda in NJ

TQSWizard wrote:
I can try. It will have to wait until tomorrow though. ritzy

I love this idea :shock: It's like shopping for those large carpets. And it keeps the fabrics from the sun. Can you send photos of yours? I would love to see them in your studio.

Lilo

I made my design wall out of homesote (I would use something lighter if I did it again) and covered it with flannel This worked well but kept falling off my counter--it is heavy so this was not good. I went to Lowes and started talking to one of the men there--told him what I had in mind--I wanted to have something that I could hang from the ceiling (kinda like your closet doors) but I wanted one to go behind the other and if possible to be put on the same track so I could see the quilt uninterrupted. He show me these tracks that are used for sliding closet doors. I now have my design wall hanging in front of the selves hold my fabric. Keeps the light from them and can be moved out of the way when necessary. I would like to make another set and have them hang in front of the ones I have but got to save my pennies!

I have been using a flannel sheet wedged over the top of some book cases and held there with hardback novels. This is not a good system really as the back is not solid so the sheet ripples but it was all I could use at the time. I am now refurbishing and need somethng portable that will stack against those shelves - no wall space big enough for a permanant display although tere is one that I coudl attach a removable one to - I came here to look for Block Bulter reviews - just one mention thought - anyone any more specific reports? Otherwise I am thinking some light foam board hinged and covered in something that sticks to fabric so I can hide the board in the garage when not in use.