7 FAST & EASY DESIGN WALLS - FOR BIG AND SMALL SPACES

Do you want a design wall but do not have the space for one? Here are 7 fast, easy, inexpensive and short term design walls that you can make to lay out your blocks and keep them organised no matter what size your space is.
Want to become a member of Karen’s Quilting Crew? Sign Up Here For Exclusive Perks:
/ @justgetitdonequilts
Referenced Videos:
BUDGET SEWING- TOOLS & HACKS FROM THE DOLLAR STORE
• 🛍 BEGINNER SEWING - 10...
WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR BATTING SCRAPS
• HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR B...
SEWING HACKS PLAYLIST
• Sewing Hacks for Bette...
Subscribe for more FREE tips for better sewing, dealing with your stash and managing Mt ScrapMore / justgetitdonequilts
Didn’t see the last video? Check Out:
TURN YOUR FABRIC SCRAPS INTO BINDING-HOW TO BIND YOUR QUILT PART 4
• TURN YOUR FABRIC SCRAP...
Have you checked out Karen’s Quilt Circle? Watch the latest episode here:
LET'S TALK ABOUT MEMORY QUILTS with Suzanne Paquette - Karen's Quilt Circle
• 🧵🌸 LET'S TALK ABOUT ME...
Want more Just Get It Done Quilts content?
Newsletter: www.justgetitdonequilts.com/
Facebook: / justgetitdonequilts
Instagram: / justgetitdonequilts
Recommended Video Series You Should Check Out!
TIPS & TRICKS FOR BETTER RESULTS
• Tips & Tricks for Bett...
KQC/KAREN’S QUILT CIRCLE PLAYLIST
• Karen's Quilt Circle 🎙
COLOUR YOUR QUILT - THE COLOUR THEORY SERIES
• Colour Theory - How to...
Download My FREE Fast And Easy Stashbuster Patterns
www.justgetitdonequilts.com/s...
My Most Watched Videos
BUDGET SEWING - TOOLS & HACKS FROM THE DOLLAR STORE
• 🛍 BEGINNER SEWING - 10...
FAST AND EASY BEGINNER QUILT - QUILT-IN-A-DAY STASH BUSTER - FREE PATTERN
• Fast and Easy Beginner...
Previously Recommended Tools
Where indicated, the link will direct you to Amazon where I will receive a small commission on your purchase. There is no obligation to purchase from these links. These items may be available locally or you can use or modify something that you already own.
Panasonic NI-WL 600 cordless iron geni.us/K8OvA (amazon)
M-Aimee Wool Pressing Mat geni.us/shw7seK (amazon)
Tractor Seat Adjustable Chair geni.us/YM4WV (amazon)
Ipad stand geni.us/h6DXzm​ (amazon)
Sitting Pad shop.vigurus.com/justgetitdon... (Virgus Technologies)
Laser Square geni.us/u2zDx4 (amazon)
Ultimate 3-In-1 Color Tool geni.us/8QezMZq (amazon)
Alarm Timer Cube geni.us/FHElloG (amazon)
LED Lighting Strip geni.us/FxOE (amazon)
Floor Lamp geni.us/CNx3RUB (amazon)
My Favourite Quilt Tools
LDH Scissors lddy.no/njem (LDH scissors)
OMNIGRID 6” x 24” Ruler geni.us/H9Fprrw (amazon)
Olfa 2.5” x 18” Ruler geni.us/Y00AO (amazon)
Add a quarter ruler geni.us/sffqxS (amazon)
Olfa 60MM rotary cutter geni.us/hbmq3 (amazon)
Olfa 45mm rotary cutter geni.us/eBvSBx (amazon)
Clover 28mm rotary cutter geni.us/CLeF (amazon)
Clover Stitch Ripper geni.us/gLL6A (amazon)
Violet Craft Seam Roller geni.us/Bk7YHo (amazon)
T-fal Iron geni.us/ANrABt (amazon)
You can find me hanging out most days on
Instagram: JustGetItDoneQuilts
Facebook: JustGetItDoneQuilts
Feel free to email me: [e-mail]
Or by snail-mail
Just Get It Done Quilts
3911 Chesswood Dr
North York, ON M3J 2R8
Video Equipment I use
Camera -geni.us/M2432XG (amazon)
Lighting - geni.us/mGNDv (amazon)
Microphone - geni.us/fast (amazon)
Camera memory card - geni.us/SBIXq2 (amazon)
Editing software - Premiere Pro

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I hope you enjoy these ideas for a design wall. I cannot believe the different they have made to my quilting by having a place to play out ideas. I am endless fascinated by how different blocks and patterns appear up close with far away. I have used all of these ideas at one time or another. I hope they inspire you to try your version. Enjoy.

[@conniejd8046]

No sound.

[@KayTennant]

@@conniejd8046 I’m quite deaf - so sorry I don’t use sound on my iPad

[@ninapryor9656]

Shut the front door! That pillowcase hack is genius!!! I finally have the perfect solution. 🥰

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

👍 I cannot believe how handy this is…or that I made it this far without them

[@ceraphi717]

the hacking off the ends of the foam board in the parking lot is so validating. slay queen

[@kathyf3656]

I write fiction as well as quilt and last year, I broke down and bought a 4' x 6' cork bulletin board to outline my novel. And when I'm not writing, I cover the board with flannel to hang up quilt blocks.

[@aktarango]

Hi Kathy, I’m a writer too! I just started quilting. Love this channel 😊

[@nancys4874]

I've been using method #3 for years. Works really well. A couple comments: I added a 3rd command hook in the middle to avoid sagging. When I take it down at Christmas, I use the hooks for decorations. I also needed to hem the bottom to make it fit the space which created a channel. I put another dowel in this channel and find that it really makes the sheet hang straight. My final comment is to look for a sheet that has an even pattern, like a plaid or stripe. this really makes block placement easier.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I found that too

[@KimberlyNichols]

I was going to suggest a dowel on the bottom. Thanks for confirming that works!

[@jmurphy7192]

I’m still using your dollar store hack - the flannel backed table cloth! I’m lucky to have an old wooden closet rod attached to the bottom of a shelf in my space, and hang the tablecloth over the rod. There’s enough room behind my ‘wall’ for a bookcase, so I use that for seldom used items. Easy to get to, but not too often to disturb projects on the wall. Thank you for all your ideas!

[@74artgrrl]

I’ve got them too and also learned it here. Her ideas and videos are wonderful. My favorite quilter on KZbin!

[@Charlie-cz3jh]

Me too!

[@PaperDiva67]

This may be the wrong video to comment but if someone wants to make a more permanent design board I have a pretty inexpensive way to get it done. Instead of buying the large foam boards from the hardware store, I used the dollar tree foam boards and doubled them up for sturdiness. I just used Elmer glue and some books as weights while they dried. Next we duct taped them together (I would recommend white or clear). I then covered it with batting using the spray glue. I then made a binding to wrap around the edge like a frame and hot glued it to the sides. We screwed it into the wall after that. One tip on that is to cut out squares of batting at the points you will screw the board onto the wall. Otherwise you will rip and tear your batting as the screw goes in, ask me how I know 🤦‍♀️😂. The cut out batting seamlessly fits right back into place with a little glue and fluffing of the edges! I spent about $20 at the dollar store, plus the batting. The binding edge was in my stash. I would say it costs approximately $50. My sewing room may be small, but I am so fortunate to be able to use an entire wall and it really makes a difference in my design process!

[@emilyhunter4082]

You inspired me to use flannel backed table cloth. I put in an oversized frame that was missing the glass from Goodwill. I white wash painted the frame and love the framed look that can stay up in the shared space.

[@sandyhumissouri5131]

Very cool idea!

[@Tam-te5nh]

I have been using a flannel backed table cloth for several years now & instead of eyelets I just sew button holes on mine that match up with the command hooks above the closet. A couple years ago I got a larger one, so this time I did button holes along the long side & the short side so I can hang it whichever way is best for the project (or projects). It’s inexpensive & when it gets too fuzzy, you simply get another one & sew some more button holes.

[@emmapugh4704]

OMG thank you. All suggestions so simple - why did I not think of these!!!

[@valerielapointe3213]

Love the video. My solution is a twist on the flannel sheet dowel option. I'm using halfway space for a temporary design wall. I turned flannel yardage into a panel the size I needed. Added a pocket at the top for the dowel. In the hallway outside my sewing room, I have 2 doors on the same wall. I hang the dowel off the door frames at the top of the door. Use a little bit of painters tape to hold the dowel to the frame and voila! I've never had issues with the painters tape damaging the wall and it's easy to take down and store. To keep the flannel panel grippy, just toss in the dryer to get it full of static.

[@bellemeri8155]

When I'm finally finished redoing my office/craft room, I plan on using an IKEA curtain wire and hook system over my 72 inch wide bi-fold closet door. Pull out when needed, slide back into the corner when I don't. Of course, I'll have to plan for cats to try to climb it, but that's what cats do. :)

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

One whole wall in my room is a big picture window, so the curtain rod method is just what I need. Thanks!

[@jenniferahlstrom590]

this gives me an idea- most of my craft room walls are covered with shelves, except for the wall wtih the window. I'm going to combine the flannel-backed tablecloth and curtain rod methods together- thank you for the inspiration!!!

[@notesfromleisa-land]

I crafted a design wall early on with 2 1” 4x8 pink foam board duct taped and covered in batting. It nestles into an aluminum base that I confiscated from the menfolks stash of scrap metal. The base allows the board to lean against the wall while preventing shifting.I have lots of wall space and was happy I could move it from one wall space to another easily by sliding the base. I now baste my quilt on the wall which simplifies things mightily. The foam board is quite sturdy. For directionally challenged folks like me who can easily twist or flip rows it sure saves some tears.

[@petmomful2260]

Wonderful ideas! I took over most of the finished basement as my sewing studio, because it is no longer full of teenagers playing pool, playing music, and eating me out of house and home. I have a wall there behind a pole. My husband made a large design wall out of insulation board and cut it to fit that wall. The pole holds it up, and I just lean it there on the wall. It is very nice to be able to arrange my blocks on the wall. I use a flannel design wall upstairs, in my little "pet" room behind the door, to hold my quilt pieces on that I work on by hand, upstairs in my recliner. This works well too. It is behind the door.

[@brysonwest93]

Love the lines on the table cloth and the sheet. I like to keep things square, and those would be very useful.

[@dawnlathrop4238]

My husband put a metal strip over the top of my wide closet door in the sewing room. This allows me to use magnetic hooks (for design walls with grommets) or magnetic clips to hang up individual quilt tops.

[@jennifermaddock4382]

Excellent ideas. I often use my living room floor but my cats hate symmetry so they always rearrange the blocks to their satisfaction. Someday I will have a proper studio with a built in design wall.

[@maryannecadd796]

All of these are great tips. For me, the bed is out - too many dogs and too much dog hair; and the floor is too tough on me physically. But I love the idea of using foam board and covering with either flat sheet or pillow cases. Genius!!! Thanks. :)

[@imogenheath5572]

My design wall is definitely “inexpensive”! Its a mattress with a fitted sheet up against the wall. Renting has some perks, such as random mattresses in rooms… (definitely no bugs in it, before anyone worries!)

[@denisehopkins1739]

I have the same murphy bed in my craft room! Love your videos and as a new quilter I am learning so much! Thank You

[@KayTennant]

Karen I’ve never commented on a KZbin video until now. You are a fabulous presenter, very engaging and animated which is perfect for videos. And your concepts are great, just love your problem solving approach.

[@miriamsinclair1655]

I use a long tube given by the fabric store to roll the flannel back tabletop containing the pieces I place for design test or the blocks already done. Just unroll on the floor when I need it. Everything stay clean and can be put away in 20 seconds.And I can have as many tube as I work on many projets at the same time.

[@dorothyhaan5024]

Love, love your videos! I was asked to make five memory pillows and one memory lap quilt. This is my first quilt, and I needed a design wall. Off to the dollar store where I bought a flannel backed table cloth for a buck fifty. Sewed a channel, command hooks on the wall, and a used curtain rod. Voila, a design wall, works perfectly. Thank you so much.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Funny how much looking at your blocks at eye level helps

[@cathedralwindowquiltlab]

I love your videos! All these tips. But what I like the most is how you prepare the videos, every detail explained with words and images. I practice my English with your videos because your intonation is perfect! Thank you very much for your dedication, Karen!

[@dko3623]

I use a very large piece of batting, a café curtain rod, binder clips, and clear pushpins to make a temporary design wall hanging from the top of my kitchen cabinets down the front toward the floor. I push the pushpins into the top of the ledge of my kitchen cabinets. Then, I clip one end of the batting onto the café rod and hang the rod up, over and behind the pushpins so it will not roll off the top of the cabinets. The very large batting piece hangs down the front of my cabinets and will work for an entire quilt top. When I’m done I just roll up the curtain rod with the batting still attached and store it behind a bedroom door. No one notices the clear pushpins way up on the top of the cabinets. When I get a real design wall in y someday sewing studio, then I will just take down the pushpins and no one will ever see the holes on the top of the kitchen cabinet ledge.

[@angelikaimnaehglueck]

I use one or two (+ shoe lace) broomsticks + bedsheet + pins for reversable design walls.

[@michellecornum5856]

I did not even THINK about taking a picture!!! That is the most important part of all of this! Thank you!

[@annettesonneson3468]

Thank you! I now know what to do with my old tablecloth.

[@wesewpro]

Fun fact, those are bulldog clips. Thank you for these amazing ideas. As a sewist for over 40 years, I drew a blank at the best way to create a quilt design wall. These are ALL fabulous ideas!

[@hadleywooten3689]

A window shade with a flannel tablecloth works really well also! Just raise the shade when not needed!!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Great idea

[@carmenbailey1560]

Karen loved all your ideas. My hubby made my design board, he used three 1/2 “ ( 4x 8 ) installation boards, then duct taped them so that I could fold them like a accordion for storage under the bed when not needed. I too covered it with pieced batting, works great. Thanks for sharing your ideas, love the flannel pillow case one. 👍❤️😊

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Nice idea

[@sandyp2485]

I was just thinking about doing an accordion pleat sort of form. I have small house and no garage or basement so household goods--aside from what can be stored in a 6x8 garden shed--are kept indoors. (Okay, the grill just sits under its own cover on the patio.) With an accordion pleat, it could be folded and stuffed into a case for under-the-bed or behind a door storage; it would need a storage case because the cat sleeps under the bed or otherwise spreads her hair on things. In my case, perhaps pieces of flannel might be a better option because I could run the vacuum over it to keep it free of pet hair. Oh, my imagination is working overtime!

[@KimberlyNichols]

Ooh, I love this idea. Thanks for sharing!

[@carmenbailey1560]

I failed to say my husband cut the sheet so I have 3- 2’ feet wide pieces., they are duct taped one on the front side, then fold and the third taped on the backside. It folds up in 2” wide. Depending on how wide I want my display board, I can use 1, 2 or all three at a time.

[@jeannehanna8369]

This is such an inspiring video for me. After experiencing a misplaced quilt block, in an otherwise good looking quilt, it was off to Home Depot. Happened to have space behind the door to my sewing/office room. Thank you so much for all your helpful sharing.

[@joycej9415]

I have been quilting since 1989 and the first thing I do to my sewing room is tack up a flannel back tablecloth to one wall. My last one has been up 20 years. I love seeing the quilt blocks grow on it! It is quick, easy cheap. I use several tacks all around so it is firmly against the wall so in summer with my ceiling fan on high, everything stays in place.

[@amybiblewski6038]

Great ideas! My husband made one for me using foam board. He covered it with felt using hot glue then hinged them together (with felt strips) so they fold accordion style. Open it is 5' x 6' & folded 5' x 2' to fit perfectly in my sewing room closet.

[@Charlie-cz3jh]

You ARE SO LUCKY- TO Have someone in your life that supports your dreams🥰 Soar like an eagle ❤

[@winnepeterson7740]

What a great idea. (And a great husband.)

[@momistaken]

thanks, I was trying to figure out the hinges! 10:04

[@annguss555]

Please explain hinges more, and add a photo if possible.

[@amybiblewski6038]

@@annguss555 Sorry I don't know how to add a photo to a KZbin comment. He cut large rectangles of felt (maybe 2" x 5" ... maybe a bit larger) and hot glued 3 per side to act as hinges.

[@ginamiller3823]

I used 2' Square foam insulation covered with batting and staple gunned them on the back, then used long t pins to attach to my wall. I have 9 of them 3 wide x 3 tall!!!

[@angelakohler165]

Hi Karen, I've been using the flannel backed table cloth for a few years now and it has a lot of pin holes, I have it clipped to pants hangers that are hung on command hooks lined on the top of an open doorway. I do love your idea for the insulation board. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

[@gaillouviere8471]

I once used the floor as my design wall, but since I can no longer manuever getting down to the floor and getting up again, I use my bed. It's queen-size, which is the largest I ever make. Thanks for great suggestions!

[@person2463]

I live the big semi permanent board. That is brilliant!!!!

[@lynnemartin2291]

I love your brain function Karen. 🤗🤗🤗 fantastic ideas🤗🤗🤗

[@TeeJayEweToob]

Boy howdy, what a solution wizard you are! That pillow case business Blew My MIND! Sharing with my crafting group, we're just talking about design boards today. Amazing.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I use those pillow boards all the time when I am making complex blocks and I need to keep all the pieces organized

[@lynnfox2359]

I love your common sense ideas. Thank you!

[@sandyhumissouri5131]

Wow! Love the pillowcase boards! Your videos are great, you get right down to business and explain clearly in a short amount of time. Right now my design wall (with my improv class piece! Like yours!) is a piece of the design wall fabric folded in fourths with the top edge closed in the top drawer of a chest of drawers. It works for now but I think some foam board is in my future!

[@TheJcs555]

Karen~Thank you for all the great ideas you share!! You are such an inspiration for not only sewing and quilting ideas but for storage and organizational ideas as well. Blessings from Southern California!! I've visited Canada as a teenager...we camped around the Ontario area and attended Expo '67...so although it has been a while I still have fond memories of your beautiful country! 🙂

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Expo ‘67 was so cool

[@TheJcs555]

Yes, that was an exciting camping trip as we saw Canada and most of the states in the Northeast as my father was stationed at a naval base in Massachusetts. Thanks for taking the time to answer me. :-)

[@donnaf2666]

Great tips. I'm going with a curtain rod laying on top of 2 doors, with a flannel sheet. Luckily the curtain rod has a flat side.

[@karendarrall2196]

Brilliant, your timing on this video couldn't be better as I have been figuring out how to accommodate a design wall! Today I happen to have been cleaning out my linen cupboard, washing all the winter sheets (NZ going into autumn) and deciding what needs to go to charity. Bingo! I can definitely use one of these winter sheets for design boards, small and large, I also have a flannel-backed picnic cloth stashed away so that will come out too so a big fat thank you from me today :-) xx

[@KJF1617]

When my church was discarding classroom dividers, I brought two home. They had right angle stationary feet on the bottom, but I wanted casters on the bottom. My husband replaced the feet with casters and now I can place my scrapbook pages in sleeves, and hang them up, until I’m certain the pages are done. Using straight pins I often hang embellishments on the second side, as storage for planned pages. But the best part is it can be moved and turned.

[@notesfromleisa-land]

Sounds like a great repurposing

[@happynanna4749]

Karen, you have such practical and wonderful ideas! I just love watching your videos. Thank you for all you do!

[@haroldkendra7283]

I have a double the old fashioned “folding doors” closet and I bought two inexpensive over-the-door hook hangers that would fit over the top of the closet doors without a problem (the hangers are like what some folks put over a bathroom door so they can hang up towels or bathrobes). I then got a 6’ dowel about 2-2.5” thick (that could rest in the hook of the hanger, and glued the looped side of a long strip of Velcro onto the dowel. Last of all, I bought 2yds of extra-wide (54”) heavy white upholstery flannel, attached the other side of the strip of Velcro to the fabric, attached the fabric to the dowel, and I now have a great hanging design wall. There’s only one drawback: I cannot open the closet doors when the design wall is in use. I take down the dowel and flannel and roll it up until I’m done getting into the closet, then put it back. I’d say cost was about $20-$30 but it’s very functional and easy to move when I need to do so. Thank you for your tips. You share some great ideas!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Excellent idea

[@scpatl4now]

I actually have wall space in my basement studio (along with a 12 ft ceiling) so I made my design wall in a similar way. First, if you check frequently, JoAnn has flannel on sale quite often so I was able to get a cream color flannel to cover my design wall. I intended to use the pink stuff but there was another option at Home Depot that has some sort of silver coating that was about half the price and since you aren't using it for it's insulation value...look for what is cheapest. I don't use spray adhesive, so I stretched it across the panels and pinned it while also hot gluing along the edges (I had it around and it worked just fine). The wall is concrete that is painted and command strips would not hold...so again...hot glue since the bottom was resting on the floor. My design wall is 8ft x 6ft. I make hand dyed textiles and I find the design wall is a really great place to photograph them, and if you are making a quilt for a baby or larger it makes life a whole lot easier. I made my design wall in about 2 hours and use it daily, and it has held up really well. I find that some larger fabrics need a pin or two on top, and as the pieces get larger you probably will too so the insulation board or similar is something I would recommend, as well as something that you can stand up so you can see how your fabric drapes. FYI, I did the whole thing for less than $30 and if you have the skill level to cut a straight line on your fabric, you have the skill to do this.

[@jodiedwards2634]

This was just in time! Thank you! I’m playing around with block orientation for a king size quilt this morning…on my living room floor! 🤪 I am going to go to town and get some foam board, great ideas and great tips. I love your vlogs!

[@meacadwell]

I work from home and my office area was in my sewing studio. I made a 10 foot tall quilt half the width of the room to divide the space like a wall - it was hung from a curtain rod attached to the ceiling so it could be pushed out of the way when not needed. Then I moved my office to another room in the house and I didn't know what to do with that humongous quilt. Eureka moment because I remembered the original video you did about dollar store flannel backed tablecloths. I pinned one of those tablecloths to the back of that quilt and it's been working fantastically! It's out only when needed and pushed out of the way when it's not, just like a curtain. Thank you.

[@lindaminaga2649]

As I lie here dreaming up a traveling design wal for retreats and sew ins. . . I thought to myself, self why reinvent the wheel. HA‼ ✔✔😁 TYVM

[@bludeetu321]

I often resort to my floor for design space. And ALL of my photos recording preferred placement mysteriously include our little black cat. She is nowhere to be seen until I grab my phone. A moment of distraction as I switch on the camera and, suddenly, there is a cat stretched out on the blocks! She has also been known to play toss the blocks, but only if I'm foolish enough to leave her alone with a project. And note, her design choices and block placements are never good. 😂

[@susanmei9980]

What is it about cats??? They assume every piece of fabric, every quilt block, every soft cozy quilt was made and/or laid down just for their personal pleasure and comfort!!! It’s like they have an antenna that alerts them something soft and cozy is being laid down and they instantly show up and have to sit on it. Not next to it. Not near it. ON it !!! They just KNOW you put it there just for THEIR personal pleasure! 😂 🐱 🐈

[@bludeetu321]

@@susanmei9980 so true. And yet I love them. 🐈

[@mariedillon1403]

Thanks for the ideas and the foam boards wrapped individually which can the be stored under the bed are perfect for me as my great grand children have sleepovers...💐💐💐💐

[@GardensLadyBug]

I cracked up about puppy taking out a couple blocks because I have a great dane. lol I'm trying to take over the small bedroom to start quilting again. Wish me luck.

[@charlenesmith2555]

Woohoo - I put a flannel back table cloth over the closet door !! Thanks !

[@nancysearcy3367]

I have a murphy bed in my sewing room that seldom gets used for sleeping. I have used large clips to hang a fabric backed table protector to use as a design wall. When it is needed for a bed I just unclip and lower the bed. I have a clear view from my sewing machine so I can spot errors or block placements quickly

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Great idea.

[@Mamaward64]

Karen, thank you. These are all wonderful ideas. I just so happen to have a new cheap flannel backed tablecloth I am going to use for my first design wall. Best to you!!!

[@michele.the.quilter6174]

Thank you for these tips. We’re trying to decide on the insulation board method. Great idea to cut it down at the vehicle.

[@amikrenzel5788]

Some amazing ideas here! I will be looking for flannel sheets and pillowcases at the thrift store.

[@conniehusband1365]

Great ideas Karen! Thankyou!

[@winnepeterson7740]

Wow! Thank you big time! I’ll soon be going to an 8-hour sew day and was wishing I could think of a way to have a design wall there. You just made it very easy. 😁

[@sheribarnett3180]

I feel so validated by the hanging the design wall on nails/hooks! I bought some gridded flannel, sewed button holes and hung it up on hooks.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

That's a great idea!

[@suzyroy3360]

i been using the table cloth since i saw your hacks videos and still doing great after a couple years!!! Fantastic ideas thank you Karen!! :D

[@mindytaylor26]

Thanks for all your ideas. For now I use my bed. But I dream of wall space. Lol.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

it's taken me 10 years to get a semi-permanent design wall. It will come

[@brendamaxwell7962]

Great ideals, I am going to use some of these. Brenda

[@chi2tan]

Love them ALL!!!! Thanks so much.

[@terriwynnrn9598]

Great ideas! If on the last one you taped 1 seam on the front & 1 seam on the back it would fold like an accordion & wouldn't have to remove tape to move it, would just have to remove flannel & fold.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I would have to cut and do some other adjustments. Which I might have done if I thought I was going to move it more than 3 times a year.

[@elizabethouallineheimann8420]

Watching you cut the boards in the parking lot was the highlight of my day. I would've been calculating the cost of a rental truck or buying moving cable straps....which would have led to me never doing it! Thank you!

[@crystalsapp7142]

Loved this video! My first "design wall" was a 4' x 3' trifold cardboard presentation board that I covered with flannel. With the trifold design, I could either lean it flat against my sofa, or fold the ends in slightly to make it stand up by itself. If I needed to put it away in a hurry, I could fold it up with my blocks still in place on the board, then bring it back out later. It also served double duty as I could store my large cutting mat inside when I was not using them and it would keep the mat flat. Since it was about 1/2" thick when folded closed it was easy to store in a closet or between the wall and my table.

[@jhwilliams6550]

Thank you! I helped my daughter do this for her 4H projects last year so she could laminate her papers with Velcro on the back and change them out and not have to make several different boards. I was wondering what to do with it after she graduated.

[@mary-annz.reynolds7778]

I love it! I used my living room floor one evening... When I awoke, I discovered my blocks scattered down the hallway. Yes. it was Oatmeal! My son came home from college one Christmas and went back without Oatmeal, a Himalayan kitten who has taken over our house and grown to be a fat cat 🙀 with long hair! My husband has to vacuum every day... there's so much hair! ❤️

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

🤣

[@juliehoffman8480]

These are some awesome ideas! Loved the pillowcase idea! Now to pick out which one will work best in my space! Thanks!!!

[@maryhaskins1757]

This is so helpful! Thank you! Also, I recognized that final quilt as Tula Pink's 100 Modern Quilt Blocks! I'm working on mine now!

[@teribusse8607]

Thank you Karen! I love your helpful ideas!

[@kerryl4031]

Cheers Karen, I'm almost ready to take over my new sewing room. Goodness knows when the builders will be done, but floor tiled in 2 weeks. Never had a proper design board before. I did make use of blackout curtain lining fabric because it was protecting my fabrics, but had to pin and I couldn't see my fabrics. Looking forward to static blocks on their own wall! LOL.

[@aliseclaus4963]

just to let you know that i don't quilt but your hacks and ideas have helped me with my crafts and sewing. You have taught me how to iron correctly, set up my sewing room. How to store my fabric scraps and use they.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

👍 Excellent

[@alicelau9856]

I used my bed for a long time because it was king sized so I had space for even big quilts, but I also have cats and dogs and as much as I try to keep them out.... it doesn't always work. BUT... We just got a ping pong table that's collapsible and stands up close to the wall when we're not using it, and we have a couple long rectangular folding tables. The folding tables are a little shorter than the ping pong table, but my husband cut some wood scraps to put under the legs to make sure the whole thing is level if I need an extra large space. I also have found that the ping pong table is just the right height for me to cut, pin, baste, etc without having to bend over uncomfortably. I'm going to start taping a flannel sheet down onto the table though so I don't have to worry about the wind caused by an excited German shepherd moving my blocks around. I tried the floor before, but my cats think it's really cool to move my squares around when I'm not looking and even taking pictures, I spent more time putting pieces back in order than I did on the layout 🤣

[@dianamay8600]

Karen, thank you so much. Great ideas.

[@itsmejeanmarie]

My new sewing room is a loft with no usable vertical space. Thanks for several great ideas!

[@trishbishop3923]

I’ve taken an old wool blanket and thrown it over the sewing room door to use as a narrow design wall. And taken the flannel backed tablecloth and draped it over the shower rod in the spare bathroom. I’ve hung as little as possible to the back side and pinned in place.

[@bethjones8998]

More excellent info. I have a flannel backed tablecloth on the insulation board and it is just propped against the wall. I need to tighten up my edges - love the thumbtack idea. Thanks !!

[@wendybond2848]

Fantastic! I haven’t started quilting yet so I am learning lots of tips and techniques.

[@avisbrown7957]

I'm new to quilting and was wondering how you all got your squares to stay on the wall. Thanks for the ideas.

[@debracampbell5151]

I’ve been using the same flannel-backed tablecloth for almost 4 years! The batting-lined cardboards would also make great design boards for laying out those big blocks.

[@ThatGirlsQTnT]

I ended up using shipping cardboard: Lining the back with scrap yardage to protect the back and lining the front with flannel found on sale at Hobby Lobby. The great thing is that the scrap cardboard has folds in it so I can fold up the pieces and store when not in use. However, If I ever get a bigger sewing space with permanent wall space for a design wall! I love the idea for insulation boards! and your modular foam board ideas!!! Thank you for all you share!

[@dianec1712]

This video was very very helpful. My goal for Jan will be to make my first quilt. I will be watching videos and taking notes. I’ve only been sewing for 2 years. So I’ll probably make a lap quilt to begin with. So thanks for all your tips,tricks and strategies.

[@carolg.6838]

Good for you Diane. I am finishing a quilt, the 6th quilt but it had been a long time. I didn't remember or realize I needed a walking foot for piecing: even if I pinned and used starch, they were way off. I was at a quilt store and said the sashing and borders that was the next step just cannot be that wonky! She mentioned the walking foot. It helped tremendously. Make use of KZbin, friends, quilt shops. The advice that came with the sashing fabric and thread was priceless.

[@dianec1712]

@@carolg.6838 have the walking foot. I have 12 -9x12 paper piece scrap strips made, I started strip corner to corner. Every time I make a block I freak out on how awesome it is.

[@tracynovak8109]

I have a flannel sheet that I taped to the wall with painters tape. But it was too heavy for the painters tape, and even duck tape, and kept falling down. So I made a no-money sheet holder. Two yardsticks duck taped together to the right length of my wall, then I sewed a hem on the sheet and put the long yardstick through the hem and put a large binder clip at each end to stretch the sheet tight. I measured the length between the clips and hammered a nail at the top of my wall for one binder clip and then on the other side of the wall for the other binder clip. It holds like a champ and the angle of the binder clips hold the long yardstick and sheet flush against the wall. It’s great. I wouldn’t have done it without the inspiration of Karen’s video!! ❤🎉😊

[@janeg6056]

Great ideas, and as always, your enthusiasm makes my day!

[@SweetVelvetBuds]

Thank you for so many great ideas. I will try to make the pillow case and the last one. Wish you well! 🤩

[@juliatepe5760]

Thank you Karen for the practical ideas and encouragement! I've also pulled out the sofa bed to use as a "design board ."

[@darlenedavis8690]

My "sewing room" is actually a little space in a room that serves as an office and pantry. To say the least, I have VERY limited space. As I was watching this video, I realized I can use clothes pens and hang a flannel backed table cloth from the top of the shelves to create a design space. Thank you so much for the creative ideas. I'm adding a table cloth to my walmart order right now. Thanks again!!!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Excellent 👍

[@katehenry2718]

72 years NO design wall. WhEE!!! I have a whole wall now. Full sheet and a half of insulation foam board, duct taped together, covered with seamed sheet of flannel. YOur clip idea is a good one. I just pinned with sewing pins, and leaned the whole thing against a wall. I LOVE IT. I don't have to put EVerything away to make supper now. Happy me!!! )))))

[@Aroundtoit3712]

Shirley here from Canada. Thanks for sharing these great tips.

[@ruthberanek13]

No wall space large enough in my sewing room is open to the hallway and kitchen. So I mounted my fons & porter quilt wall on the hallway wall with hooks. Love having it as it has grid lines on the back that I can see.

[@annecassidy4448]

Thanks, Karen! All great ideas - so helpful to all of us confronting space (& permanency!) issues.

[@juliatepe5760]

Indeed, not all artists have the luxury of a whole room permanently devoted to our craft. My grandson never knows what he is going to find on the twin bed he uses when spending the night. Even if it's a quilt top in progress he will often just crawl in under it if I forget to move it!

[@Charlie-cz3jh]

Awesome info. Thank you ❣❣❣🥰 FLANNEL!? Why didn't I think of that! You're brilliant Karen😊

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AnitaSouthall]

These are all genius 👏, I like the easy pillow case method

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

That is such an easy one. I am using two right now

[@christinej2358]

Oh my stars! These are all great ideas! I need a design board but don’t have a lot of space at all in my sewing room. Like you, I’ve used my bed to layout my designs and took pictures on my phone as I would try different designs. I’d look at them later and then the layouts I didn’t like I’d delete, until I settled on the design I was wanted. The bed works great till my husband wants to go to bed. That’s why I need a design board in my sewing room. I haven’t decided yet which one I’ll use, but I am thankful a viewer on another channel replied to a comment I made asking Tracy from The Sewing channel to show how she built her design wall. I don’t remember the viewer’s name but I sure am glad she told me to come watch your channel on hacks for design walls. You gave several ideas I can possibly use! Thank you for sharing!

[@maryannadams5756]

Excellent ideas! I have to create a design wall for our camper that we winter in…can’t wait!!!🥰