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::Quilt Design Wall Tutorial Revamp::

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In our old digs my design wall was limited to ONE.  Now with the studio I have my own padded room;)

I had one wall space left that I was told needed a bumper to protect the wall from ambitious pressers yielding an iron;)  I also had two smaller pieces of cut insulation board that together fit the space perfectly.

SEW KATIE DID:Build a quilt design wall

Here’s a basic tutorial on how I construct my quilt design walls.  You can access how I created the quilter’s pressing station here.

SUPPLIES:

  • (1 and/or 2) 1″ Insulation board (you can pin into this surface and cut to size).
  • (1) washed and dried flannel sheet (Sheets eliminate seams.  Measure your insulation board surface area and compare to sheet dimensions.  You’ll need about 3″ extra per side to wrap around the board.  I buy my sheets here).
  • (6) 3″ Screws per board
  • (6) Finishing Washers per board
  • (6) Anchors per board (optional)
  • Roll of Gorilla Tape
  • Staple Gun with 3/8″ or longer staples

Cut board to size if needed.

SEW KATIE DID:Quilting Design Wall Tutorial8

I don’t think it really matters which side of the board you cover, but I do tape the boards together on the side that will be against the wall.  I secure the boards with horizontal strips of tape and then run a vertical strip down the length.

Cut your flannel to about 3″ larger than board dimensions.  Get rid of the hems if you don’t need the extra inches of flannel to cover your board size.  Hems might cause you grief when it comes to stapling, especially in the mitered corners.  Another option is to go with longer staples.

SEW KATIE DID:Quilting Design Wall Tutorial6

I alternate sides when stretching and taping flannel.  It’s like pin basting a quilt.  You do want it very taunt.  I believe in lots of tape as you can see.

SEW KATIE DID:Quilting Design Wall corner

I just kind of go with what seems to be working when it comes to mitering the corners.

If you need some hand holding on the stapling and mitering steps, Martha and Anna Maria Horner show you how in a video here.  Once you’ve over-taped, start stapling into the tape AND flannel.

SEW KATIE DID:Quilting Design Wall Tutorial10

Tada!  Can’t see any of that ugly from the front;)

SEW KATIE DID:Quilting Design Wall Tutorial9

Take your snips and cut a hole in the location you want your screws to go through.

SEW KATIE DID/Design Wall Tutorial

At this point I go get Jefe because he knows where all the electric is.  Someone also suggested the use of heavy duty velcro for attachment.

Drill the holes where you see fit, place the anchors and screw in the screws using the washers for a nice finish.

I’m off to use mine!  Happy week Peeps;)

SEW KATIE DID/Layered Design Wall

No room for a permanent quilt design wall?  Then check out my tutorial on a dual layered roll-up one design wall that can easily be stored under a bed.

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Comments

  10. 'chele says

    Katie, your design wall idea worked perfectly for me with only a few modifications. Thank you for sharing the idea and the instructions. I raved about it publicly so much that I agreed to demonstrate it to the Keuka Quilters on Monday evening this week (in the heart of the Finger Lakes of New York state). I’m sharing the link to your blog with many and singing your praises. Love your stuff.

  11. Treasa Heavey says

    Thanks

    I hope to turn a bed room com dog room + fabric room in to a sewing room I will need a design will post when Finished
    Treasa

Trackbacks

  1. […] just a flannel-backed vinyl tablecloth hanging on the wall. However, a few months ago I read Katie Pedersen’s instructions for her design wall, and decided I wanted THAT one!  She used big sheets of foam insulation covered with a flannel […]