DIY Quilting Design Wall - How To Make Yours Without Our Mistakes

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[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

For those of you who have asked: to get the grid lines to show, I simply put my index finger in the groove created by the beveled edge tiles and lightly dragged my finger along each gridline to make the flannel adhere to the beveled edge. 🤓👍🏻

[@nursekate67]

We ordered pool table replacement felt. Comes in 8ft sheets for about $35. We tacked it around all the edges and added trim. Comes in quite a few colors, and the felt is SUPER fuzzy. Holds my quilt blocks really well.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Well isn't that super smart and resourceful! 🤓🤩 I bet it DOES hold quilt blocks really well!

[@deborahlh7747]

Here’s my design wall solution. Purchased metal strips from HD for the top of the wall. Hubs drilled holes in the strips. I then covered those strips with a cotton fabric sleeve. They were screwed to the wall. I use heavy duty (30 or 50 pound) magnets with hooks on them from Amazon to hang quilt batting up on the wall strip! Blocks stick great. Bonus, when done hanging the quilts blocks up, I use that batting for my quilt! Only wall damage is filling in the 6 screw holes. Hope this idea helps someone.

[@valerieduff6498]

Whew! I’m exhausted just hearing your story! I’m so glad you finally got a design wall you’re happy with!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I was exhausted telling it! LOL! I really didn't realize how many times it "failed" honestly, until I started telling the story! 😂

[@marijkeschellenbach2680]

You had me in stitches with your "adventure" in making this great design wall!

[@pegpage8618]

Oh my gosh, Cathy. What a journey you and Paul have been on. I’m so happy that you were able to find a solution that worked for you. ❤ 🤗

[@cathybourassa9661]

Love the wall and your commentary on how you got there.

[@dedrasmitherman7983]

It seems that things are never as easy as they should be. I’m glad it’s up and working for you. You’ve given me something to think about. Thanks!

[@MsAtom70]

cheap plastic tablecloth with the felt backing works for me

[@AnnetteHannah-qw7pu]

Cathy, I just love you...and your cautionary tale!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Annette!❤️

[@scrapfaireknits2772]

I moved recently and haven't replaced my old design wall, but I used tiles from amazon that looked great, and after I had done research into feltrite it seemed these were practically the same thing, I did have to use pins, but I was ok with it.

[@kathleencoe1058]

I love your new haircut 😃

[@karenburns507]

Y’all are quite tenacious! I have an insulation board with a king sized sheet ducted taped in the back. If I need larger I’ll just cut another piece and and to it. So far, it works. Fingers crossed.

[@papergirl106]

I'm so glad I watched this. I had been considering ordering the "felt" blocks but now will go with my plans to create a separate wall and frame -- hardboard with leftover siding insulation covered by flannel, framed and hung on the wall.

[@chrisdistelrath9386]

Thanks so much for sharing your journey to a quilt wall. I always appreciate learning vicariously from others. You two rock it!

[@deborahcollins5819]

What a challenge but it looks great! Here’s my story. We used 4 x 8 styrofoam insulation wall boards, I believe 1-3/4 in thick . My husband cut off 1 foot from the top. Together the design wall measures 8 foot wide and 7 foot tall. We stretched flannel sheets over the boards and secured on the back with roofing tacks (a lot of them) which worked great. Just a little tap of the hammer. Command makes a large hook and loop type picture hanger which I wanted to try because I did not want to damage my wall if possible. I think I used 48 of them total. We have baseboards, so I set the bottom edge onto the baseboard for support and adhered the boards with the command hangers around all 4 edges of each board. I worried that they might not hold up, but after about a year and a half, they still are still standing! I still have to use straight pins at times to keep my blocks in place but so far I’m very satisfied. I do love your grid and seems as if it would be very helpful to line everything up nicely. Thanks for your generosity with such helpful tips to others!

[@sherryfaires7931]

This was very helpful, Cathy! I was just about to ask a question, but I read your comment and you answered it before I asked it! Thanks!

[@debbietrapp7757]

Good morning Cathy, enjoyed watching your quilt wall journey. I am sorry you had to deal with these problems, but reached a great end solution,thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful weekend that hopefully includes some sewing! 🥰🥰🥰

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Debbie!❤️

[@donnakluck9135]

Thank you for sharing. I have my flannel wide back but was contemplating those tiles for my wall design board. You have saved me so much grief and probably arguments with my spouse if we had gone through what you both experienced. I have been thinking about getting an exterior outdoor shade and attaching the widleback flannel fabric to it. My spouse could hang it and I could pull the shade down when I want to use it. He said he could build a box/shelf that would hold the shade and attach to the wood 2x4's behind our sheetrock.

[@ninadukette3340]

There was a small business that sold this same idea. I believe the man is no longer around. It worked pretty well. Perhaps you could improve the idea. We sold them at our quilt shop. But shipping made it difficult to sell.

[@auntdello5286]

Thanks for showing and telling your design wall saga. So happy you found a satisfying solution. I am currently making plans to make a design wall in my new sewing space. Tried those fake felt tiles at my last place. Was very disappointed. In the past I've used a foam board covered with quilt batting, that I hung on the wall. I'll probably do a larger version of that here.

[@zoyadances]

I recommend using insulation board cut to the size you need, duct taping multiple pieces together to achieve desired size. I may have taped both sides at each junction to insure they stayed together. (It's been 3 or 4 yrs since so I don't remember exactly.) I covered the front side, first with batting and then with a 108" piece of flannel cut to length needed plus several extra inches to wrap to the back of the board, like making a quilt sandwich. Lay the flannel on floor or flat area big enough to lay the entire piece and move around it. Place the batting on top of that, and then your insulation board. Using Duct tape, adhere the batting and flannel to one end of the insulation board. Stretch the opposite end of batting and flannel taut, and adhere that also with duct tape. Repeat on other two sides. I was planning for mine to be portable so I didn't want to adhere to the wall with screws, nails or glue, so I just leaned it against the wall and used painter's tape to keep it against the wall. The bottom rests on the floor. The tape holds for a while and though after 3-4 yrs, the tape is mostly useless, the design wall has never fallen, even with queen sized quilt tops pinned to it. I do find I need to use pins to insure the blocks don't fall off but I'm super happy withe the result. There are instructional videos on youtube on how to make which I used myself for inspiration. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[@jpowley2691]

Great video. I love how articulate you are. Congratulations on QuiltCon!

[@sarahhowland2957]

Problem solving at its best! Congratulations on your ultimate success 🎉

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Sarah!❤️

[@mariannestrahle4581]

I used insulation board covered with flannel. Mine is 8’ wide and floor to ceiling. 2 4x8 sheets of insulation, I covered each with flannel that has a grid. I hung them one above the other and used the Velcro command hooks to attach it to the wall. The flannel is attached to the insulation using gorilla tape. It’s excellent!

[@caitlinmatthews1401]

Soooo much work! Glad you found a solution. I bought big tiles (only need 6-8) from Amazon that I used tiny nails to hang on wall. Work like a charm. Enjoy the big design wall!

[@sisterchicksquilting]

I’m just dying listening to your story😢😂 There has to be a happy ending, right?🤣😂🤣😂 10 minutes to go to the end of the video…… Alls well that ends well, see you at Quiltcon👍🏼♥️🐥

[@christinahall3318]

This was truly a journey! Great information and loved hearing about the trial and errors. Sorta makes me want to take down my flannel sheet and redo - Sorta….not right now. Sew On Sis!

[@chrisclark9862]

Perfect timing and very helpful! Upgrading my design wall has been on my mind and I have had the “cheaper” tiles in my shopping cart in a holding pattern as I think through the process. Now I know what I need to do 😁

[@romonaelrod7870]

Hi Cathy, thank you for sharing your story about your design wall. I am sure that it will be helpful to other quilters. I like the little quilt in progress that you have on the wall now.😂❤

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thank you, Romona! ❤️ The quilt-in-progress was meant to be a leaders and enders project, but it fell by the wayside. I'm thinking I'll pick it back up just long enough to get a decent-size baby quilt!

[@HeikeWoolard]

Thank you for this tutorial. I think I would've used construction adhesive after the first time the tiles fell off. At that point I would've gotten sick of them falling off. I understand that not everyone is like me and wouldn't mind a permanent design wall. I am glad you got it solved and the molding looks great.

[@stefflcus]

A former neighbor of mine said she just put craft flocking on one of her walls. She said she primed it first in such a way it would be easy to take off when she wanted to, but I moved away and don't know if that worked out as planned, or if the flocked design wall even functioned right. Maybe someone will try that route and report back. :) Glad you have a solution!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Interesting! If someone does, I hope they'll let us know!

[@lynnieloungelizard4587]

Good evening (Brisbane, Australia = thumb tacks) my heart went out to you, but what a great story! Glad the design wall worked in the end!

[@lisaulrich8549]

Great advice! I have a design board that I use and was thinking about making a wall in my She Shed, which is still getting a renovation. This is very helpful when my hubby and I go to determine what wall boards we will put up. ❤

[@elizabethcollins8817]

I use polystyrene behind my Fons and Porter design cloth. It has grommets for hanging and a grid that is visible on the “fuzzy” side 🤗 My sewing shed (10X12) has an insulation sheet on its door. I attached more polystyrene to it with 3M command hooks. I do have to pin though. I also have a curtain rod with clips to hang partial rows or finished quilt tops. It’s so true that when you have a limited amount of space to work within that you become resourceful and very creative . thank you for this great video.

[@lindamasson3094]

Ok too use the fons & porter design sheet with grommets held to the wall with those removable Command hooks. Over the years it has gotten kind of bad looking, as threads stick to it like crazy and are hard to remove, but no one sees it but me and has worked very well.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

And there's just something about finding what works...no matter what that "something" is! (and that includes if it doesn't look great anymore!) ❤️

[@zoyadances]

Your wall looks amazing and I do like the grid it leaves. I used insulation board cut to the size I wanted, duct taping two full pieces together to achieve my desired size. I may have taped both sides at each junction to insure they stayed together. (It's been 3 or 4 yrs since so I don't remember exactly.) I covered the front side, first with batting and then with a 108" piece of flannel cut to length needed plus several extra inches to wrap to the back of the board, like making a quilt sandwich. Lay the flannel on floor or flat area big enough to lay the entire piece and move around it. Place the batting on top of that, and then your insulation board. Using Duct tape, adhere the batting and flannel to one end of the insulation board. Stretch the opposite end of batting and flannel taut, and adhere that also with duct tape. Repeat on other two sides. I was planning for mine to be portable so I didn't want to adhere to the wall with screws, nails or glue, so I just leaned it against the wall and used painter's tape to keep it against the wall. The bottom rests on the floor. (No damage to my wall.) The tape holds for a while and though after 3-4 yrs, the tape is mostly useless, the design wall has never fallen, even with queen sized quilt tops pinned to it. I do find I need to use pins to insure the blocks don't fall off but I'm super happy withe the result. There are instructional videos on youtube on how to make which I used myself for inspiration.

[@_Lynaed_]

What a journey 😅. Sometimes it just depends on the glue and how it reacts to humidity. I think the trim expends the appearance to the next level ❤

[@rhondadownes207]

Your design/art wall does look very effective now! 🤩 My ‘fancy’ smallish design wall consists of an oval tension rod between a closet door jamb and a door jamb and a flannel sheet with a rod pocket, like a flat curtain against the wall. It does actually work, for me anyway. ☺️

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Oh that's smart too! We quilters are very resourceful and find a way that works for us---and I love that! ❤️

[@dianeroome972]

Wow. A well designed quilt wall. Lucky girl! It was a journey to get there though. Glad the editor is invested in your craft. When will Paul make a quilt?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

It WAS a journey to get there, but we did it! 👍🏻 I doubt Paul will ever make a quilt...but he will enjoy the ones I make! 😂❤️

[@kimpoper3711]

I love my felt right tiles! I knew going in that my blocks would not stick to it. I use pins and it works great. I have changed my tiles around without any issues in damaging my walls or having issues with them falling off the wall.

[@juliejeavons6949]

I’m halfway through and I’m thinking ‘ this is why we need brick and mortar stores and not have to rely on the internet.’

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Right?!?

[@CoraWilfinger-ix6hx]

Lol, just before you said Paul came up with the wood trim idea, I'd have lost it already and be headed to the garage to get my power drill and some screws. The wood trim is definitely a much nicer look than my angry naked screws would have been. I do not have wall space, but I do have a set of sliding wood closet doors in my bedroom. So I screwed 3 hooks across the top above the wood trim, sewed 3 loops on the end of a flannel sheet, and it worked. I put it up when I need it. My sewing space is in the corner of my bedroom, so its convenient :) It was fun imagining you and Paul going through the whole ordeal, even though I've never seen Paul, I know he's there!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I love your solution for your space! And yes, my goodness it was a whole ordeal!😂

[@daveleeannheier5648]

My design wall is in guest bedroom. I used an extra wide piece of flannel about 4-5 yds long. Put 4 command hooks close to the ceiling, then hang the flannel on 4 skirt hangers. This is easy to take down when have company.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

So smart!

[@juliestafford5959]

Yes--wall space was the biggest issue for me. The only open wall space I had that was big enough was a hallway wall. So I have to stand back in the bathroom to view my blocks 😂. Oh well, it works! We also have textured walls, so sticking the design board to it was tricky--but so far, it's stayed up.

[@barbarachattin-mcnichols2370]

So timely for me as I am in the process of putting up a design wall. I’m lucky enough to have a sewing area with big walls in an outbuilding where I can do whatever I want to the walls; after watching this I’m thinking to use screws to the studs and nails as well. Overkill? Maybe, but I don’t want to put this up multiple times. I’m curious how you got the grid of the tiles to show up on the flannel sheet front.

[@sherrypeck4062]

Me too!!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Barbara, the tiles have a beveled edge, so where they meet there is a groove; I just ran my finger along all the grooves and the flannel adhered to the beveled edges which made the grid! So easy!

[@TheKjoy85]

I've only made a couple of quilts. My first one was laid out on my mom's bed before I assembled the quilt top. The second one was arranged on my flannel backed tablecloth hung from 3 giant binder clips tacked to my bedroom wall. My sewing room does not have a clear wall that I can use for a design wall. I haven't finished any of the blocks for my current project as most of my time and energy are going towards raising and training my English Mastiff puppy to be my service dog. She's 7.5 months old and about 85 pounds.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

My friend uses a flannel-backed tablecloth (and has for years) and she says it works beautifully...so yay you!

[@thecheshirecrafter4522]

Phew, exhausted! Thank goodness for beds and floors and fortunately I don't have a free wall. I call pins "drawing pins".

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Maggie, right?! I didn't realize all that we had "been through" with that wall until I started explaining it! 😂😱

[@desleybartlett322]

Gosh Cathy what a time you have had. I think I would have given up half way through. I have some wadding hanging off a piece of rod on the wall but I do have to pin sometimes. By the way we call the pins thumb tacks in Australia. Desley🇦🇺

[@lenacoleman1142]

🤦‍♀I had a Doooooooh moment today during the middle of watching your video!! I too purchased the less expensive "Felt/Cork" Tiles due to their better value than the Named Brand. They look great almost like artwork. I also agree they are not at all fuzzy or felt-like to keep the fabric on the wall without pins. Now I have had my design wall panels up for almost 6 months and after watching your video I mentioned to my daughter today, "OMG, I am a complete IDIOT, why do I have all my pieces on the table wasting space and looking messy when I have my empty design wall tiles!! Completely forgot to use them!!! 🤦‍♀ I paused the video mid way through to go and put all my pieces on the wall. I found that when putting up smaller individual pieces before they are sewn into blocks they tend to fall off the wall randomly (usually when you aren't looking). I will try a flannel piece of fabric over the top. Thanks for your honest thoughts, tips and tricks!!

[@stephanieblevins6265]

I have been ate,Pringle to learn quilting for about 6 months. My experience in sewing was in high school 50 years ago. I have had to learn the rotary cutter and small pieces of fabric going together. Do you have a recommendation on a book that would help answer some questions? I am fascinated by shirt fabric, but watched your blog about the difference in cotton fabric. Who knew. I watch all the quilting sites and think, I could do that, but, not so much. Love your enthusiasm and smile. Help please, if you can.

[@jennjennedington279]

The book Sunday Morning Quilts (Amanda Jean Nyberg) is a nice manual for a beginner. And as the projects in there are designed simply and for scraps, it is very useable for shirt and other thrifted fabrics. Try the library and then if it’s helpful for you order it for “keeps“

[@georgiadabinett6312]

Cute hair cut!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

@@georgiadabinett6312 thank you, Georgia!❤️

[@DebbieWolgemuth]

Thanks for saving quilters time and wasted money. I was thinking of leaning a board against the wall with a flannel tablecloth on top of the boatd.

[@zoyadances]

I tried a flannel table cloth purchased from a dollar store and completely wasted my dollar and my time. I recommend covering insulation board with batting and flannel (sheet or yardage) and lean it against the wall. Works very well for me.

[@howardpennpenn]

That did make me chuckle!😆 Thank you for sharing...it looks super ❤... my flannel covered insulation sheets are screwed to the wall 😀 Andrea

[@floducation1839]

I use strong heavy duty sticky back hook and loop Velcro. I put painters tape on the wall to protect my wall, then staple the hoop part of the Velcro to the painters tape. Then, I put the loop part of the Velcro on the back of the tile. I used Quilt Pin Sew’s suggestion to sand the tiles to make them hold the fabric. It works perfectly.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

That's a great idea (sanding the tiles!) and one I hadn't heard of before--and I thought we'd heard all the ideas! 😂 And yay for Velcro...it can be used for everything!!❤️

[@bbymks5]

Oof...the language that would have come tumbling out of my mouth when the tiles fell to the floor taking paint and leaving sticky strips on the wall!! Glad you were able to find a solution though!! We absolutely don't have the wall space so I have to use our bed and a step ladder to take pics from above.

[@springpaws58]

Good morning. What an informative video. I liked the list at the end. You need a wall. Hmmmm ...I wonder whether command Velcro strips would work. We live in a rental. Finish nails in drywall with nothing behind, might act like thumb tacks without heads. I've never tried either. So glad you let us know what DIDN'T work, as well as what did. Thanks

[@Sylvie_M]

@springpaws58 If in a rental, you can also fill any holes left behind with white toothpaste...I learned this from a building manager, believe it or not!

[@sararempel7956]

I'm sorry you went through all this !! May I just say. My " design wall is a very large vinyl table cloth tacked vinyl side to the wall right at the ceiling quite close together . The sides I taped down with painters tape. Voila! I have never had it come down😊 You can use any size table cloth

[@lindamasson3094]

The Fons & Porter design wall is very much like a vinyl tablecloth with a fuzzy back.

[@momistaken]

Years ago, I used foam poster boards, wrapped with %100 cotton quilt batting, (using duct tape), making tiles I guess! I mounted them permanently to the wall with small finishing nails. I used this setup for years!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

That's a clever idea!🤓👍🏻

[@helenw6055]

In the UK the brass flat-topped ones are called "drawing pins". The colourful ones that protrude from the wall about 1cm or 1/2 inch we call pins or tacks

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Hi Helen! Drawing pins--I like that!

[@nancymathisen9707]

My design wall is unused flannel sheets from a thrift shop, nailed, near the ceiling, to an extra piece of molding that I already had. As patchwork grows heavier, a few ordinary pins help hold it to the sheet. I could improve it from an interior decor POV, but it has worked perfectly for years.

[@mikel2044]

Thanks for the handy tips for a design wall. Please someone out there….quilters need a system for a design wall. This can’t be that hard to create.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

I've had that same thought so many times throughout this process...surely it can't be that hard!

[@brendafrye5875]

Great video. Im trying to put up a design wall too. My biggest problems, I dont have husband and I'm old. Ha! Thanks for sharing.

[@sharonpeters8568]

I use painters tape and batting for my design wall.

[@karonwostenholme6533]

♥️♥️♥️

[@daxxydog5777]

This sounds like me on EVERY PROJECT WE DO, lol. Did you have to go back to Lowes/Home Depot at least three times?? We always do. I'm glad you got something you can live with in the end!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

LOL! Yes! (well, twice) We left the adhesive in a bag at the self-checkout at Lowe's---I had forgotten that until just now! 😂😂😂

[@juliemac5604]

I used two 4x8ft pink foam boards without that silver foil. I Elmer School-glued a cotton batting to each board, wrapping it to the back a bit. Then after the glue dried, I put a flannel twin sheet over it, covering the batting. I used the yellow-tipped quilting pins 1-inch apart to hold the flannel in place. (My theory is I can replace it if/when needed.) Then I tacked a wide strip of velcro onto the wall and glued the opposite side to the pink foam board (using Gorilla Glue). It stays in place with minimal attachment to the wall, but flexible if/when needed to be removed. Some fabrics or blocks need pins, but the combo of glued batting and flannel really gives a fuzzy grip that neither gives by itself. Plus, the foam board is very forgiving with the pin holes, when they are needed. Hope this helps someone!

[@valerievesper9216]

Oh my! Things are always complicated aren’t they? I mostly use my design floor (only when arranging at the end). But I have used a flannel sheet “nailed” to the wall with pins. Just regular old sewing pins with the flat heads. If you use a number of them along the top and angle them a bit, like you would a nail to hang a picture, the weight doesn’t seem to be an issue. Because they’re so thin, the holes in the wall are practically invisible. My sewing room is also the guest room, though, and it has very little wall space, so I was only able to use a twin size sheet. Not optimal. No other empty walls that don’t have either pictures hanging on them, furniture in front of them or windows. 🤷‍♀️

[@tinakercher8768]

I appreciate your heartbreaking deep dive into this. My wall is in my basement, so I just tacked up quilt batting in a very unattractive manner and it has been working like a dream. Even for months at a time. It is so ugly though.

[@angelar1500]

I use batting as well, but I use the actual batting to be used in that particular quilt, so it doesn't stay up, I have picture frame hangers placed along ceiling line and hang batting from binder clips from the picture hangers.

[@jennjennedington279]

@@angelar1500 oh and the batting creases kind of “hang out” as it hangs up there….. what a good idea!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

ok I lol'd at this comment, Tina! 😂❤️

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

That is super smart, Angela!🤓👍🏻

[@lynnbean7200]

Sorry to say but that was a very amusing story. Good outcome though! Well done to you and Paul. I have the big problem of no wall! We have many windows (the family room is windows on 3 sides and the kitchen on the 4th lol) and lots of art. My study/sewing room has windows on one side, built-in shelves on 2 sides and my desk/table on the 4th. So I have ended up with 3 2 inch thick foamboard panels which are 2 feet by 6 feet. I covered each panel with felt and then stuck the 3 together like a screen. I used extra strong duct tape and quilting pins (the very long ones with yellow heads) to hold the felt on and to make the "hinges". Also had some problems with the duct tape not fully sticking to the felt, which is why the pins. It's not beautiful as the extra heavy duty duct tape only comes in black and the felt is white but it is effective and can be packed away when I need to use the spare bedroom, which is where it lives. It's nearly a year old and no sign of bowing even though it's propped at an angle. I wish I had space for a wall mounted design wall but I don't so this'll do for the time being.

[@Cassandra-..-]

As much a testament to the strength of your marriage as to the fortitude of your final design wall.😂

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

LOL Right?!? 😂

[@MsNancy9369]

Canyou please add the link for the adhesive? Got the tiles in my cart but not sure about tape. Thank you sweet lady, I always learn something new and I've been making quilts since 1995!! No more on the floor and even the bed is getting more difficult. (Getting old is not for the faint of heart!)

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

It should be there now, Nancy! And apologies for the delay in my reply!

[@yvonnedrury8718]

My quilt wall is batting, felt hasn’t ever worked me, my blocks always wind up falling off. Thx for a great video 👍

[@prosie1968]

A thumbtack is the disc with the pin, a push pin is the other one. I have a tiny little design board that’s more of a bulletin board, that holds my whatever’s. Someday I’d like to have a big wall even though I’m mostly a garment sewer.

[@scarlet10sewing]

How did you get the grid definition in the flannel sheet?

[@sherrypeck4062]

I was wondering that too!

[@leonardsfriend5821]

Me too! Maybe the sheet is thin and it just shows through?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

The tiles have a beveled edge, so as they are lined up it creates a groove--which I just ran my finger down and across to make it adhere to the grid lines--it worked surprisingly well, and holds up even when I put blocks up!

[@jane3683]

good morning, two week fells like 2 months, but worth the wait

[@saraborisch5343]

Is there a pattern for the quilt that is on the wall? I have so many shirts to make donation baby quilts and that looks like a good one!

[@jennjennedington279]

Sunday Morning Quilts by Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkison is the source for that pattern: Sunday Morning

[@saraborisch5343]

@@jennjennedington279 Thank you so much! I have that book!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

Thanks, @jennjennedington279 ...I'm behind on my commenting so I'm glad you responded!❤️ (and @saraborisch5343 My blocks don't have the vertical strip that the pattern calls for...I ended up liking the blocks better without it! 😉)

[@saraborisch5343]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts I like it better also! Thx

[@yoshiew05]

if the tiles are covered with the flannel, how do the grids show through?

[@boatwidow2002]

They likely just pushed into the grid of the tiles.

[@sherrypeck4062]

@@boatwidow2002? I wonder too

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

The tiles have a beveled edge, so as they are lined up it creates a groove--which I just ran my finger down and across to make it adhere to the grid lines...worked like a charm!

[@lifeofjoy9404]

Your patience and ability to retain your sense of humor with this project is admirable! I could only laugh with you at the very end bc I felt so sorry for you! The result looks great, and I hope it continues to perform well for you.🤞🤞🤞🤞

[@georgiadabinett6312]

Good morning from Durham NC...Quiltcon 2026!

[@tamarahenggeler4491]

I was aware of the Felt Right tiles need for pins and/or felt over it for hanging quilt pieces. I fell in love with their product from seeing them on Erica Arnt's YT channel & she shared that. Definitely disappointing to spend that kind of $$$ and it not really function like a felt board. If I ever get to move in and create my sewing studio I will have to decide on a design wall. Plumbing water leak in attic came down through my storage closet and ruined hardwood flooring, sheetrock, etc. Flooring guys did not cover newly installed flooring...they damaged, etc then to clean & shine and remedy their mess the lowest guy on the totem pole went to Home Depot and instead of going to the aisle with FLOOR cleaning products went to the kitchen wood products and put a butcherblock food grade oil & wax all over our new scraped hardwood birch flooring rending into a death trap slip & slide. It has been a challenging couple of months at our home after spending thousands of dollars for a new floor & this is what we got. Ugh...

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

IKR?! It was just ridiculous.😂 But yes, we finally made it in the end! Looking forward to meeting you at QuiltCon, Di! 🤩❤️

[@TheMichele135]

Wha kind of tiles are they? I can’t find your link to them. Thanks!

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

So sorry...the link should be in the description box now!

[@nancymathisen9707]

How did you get the grid lines to be so defined through the sheet?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

The tiles have a beveled edge, so as they are lined up it creates a groove--which I just ran my finger down and across to make it adhere to the grid lines! Easy-peasy! 🤓👍🏻

[@UsernameUnkwn21]

Would have just grabbed 2 insulation boards from home depot and 3 yards of felt

[@boatwidow2002]

That's my plan

[@janinec1396]

Drawing pins

[@patwalker2501]

When we lived in PA, Ames, a local discount store, sold inexpensive fleece blankets that were very thin. I bought a bunch of them and spray- glued them to 1/2" thick sheets of insulation panels, wrapping the edges to the back side and stapling them in place. The panels were then screwed to the walls. The thin fleece held my quilt blocks better than flannel, and the insulation panels also held pins quite well. I am hoping to repeat this same design wall in my new home, but haven't been able to find a source of that thin fleece (which is about half as thick as the fleece JoAnn's sells). Anyone have any ideas?

[@mj-gs3vo]

I use cotton batting very thin and at some point I could reuse it

[@jennjennedington279]

The most holding success I have ever had was flannel back vinyl tablecloths from Dollar General. I’ve had blocks up (just clinging no pins) for WEEKS

[@patwalker2501]

@@jennjennedington279 I've used those, too! Great the. I need to pin up a temporary design wall.

[@patwalker2501]

@@mj-gs3vo I may try that. How do you keep it clean (threads & fluff)?

[@GlynisReynolds]

Absolutely love the blue/yellow strip quilt you had on the wall at the beginning of the video 🥰 Looks like a scrappy strip quilt 🤔 Another quilt idea to think about 🤷🏻‍♀️😂😂 So glad you have successfully created your design wall 👍 but I think I’ll stick to my design ‘bed’ 😂😂🇬🇧

[@marciaclark7619]

At the end it looks like those blocks are just up on the tiles. I can't see a sheet. Is the sheet there?

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

There is! Just a plain white flannel sheet smoothed up against the tiles! 🤓👍🏻

[@marciaclark7619]

@@TheCatBirdQuilts thanks!

[@coreygilles847]

❤❤❤🎉

[@rebeccamulkern1051]

I’d love a proper design wall but I don’t like the look of batting covered insulation board, they look dirty after a bit, plus I don’t have a wall I can dedicate permanently for this, and I’d be using it daily so even if I got a foldable one, it would end up being up constantly. So the way I work round it is I drape a big batting sheet over my sofa at an angle so it’s a slanted sheet, then I put my blocks, decide what I’m doing and then at the end of the day I fold it and put it in a cupboard. The only draw back is I can do only half a big quilt before the blocks have reached the seat area of the sofa underneath, but then I fold my quilt top and put the last row I’ve done so far at the top, you can’t see the whole quilt this way when you are designing but I’ve taken photos on my phone and for me as long as the next row is ok with the one that’s currently at the top , it’s more than fine. I don’t like using my bed as it’s not close to the room I sew and it’s impractical to be going up and down all the time, but as I have a big sofa in my sewing space, it really works very well for me ❤

[@J.K.RiverisanoldLady]

You couldn't have ended up with a more funny story had you tried.

[@TheCatBirdQuilts]

So true!!

[@tchr1106]