Ever since I had to move all my quilting stuff a year and a half ago to make way for the renovations in the basement I haven’t had a design wall. There is a lot of stuff piled up next to the walls in the space that I am using. Even if there wasn’t the walls are cement block so I can’t nail up anything.
Today I had had enough. I am making the quilt for my brother’s wedding and I have this weird color pattern in my head. It is a scrappy quilt but I have the progression of colors worked out and I kept screwing up since I couldn’t see it laid out. I don’t want to lay it on the ground since I’m a bit gunshy after the water heater exploded and flooded the quilts I had on the floor.
So here is my improvised design wall. I bought the only flannel carried by WalMart. Since it was a remnant it cost me $1.78 total. The strips it is hanging from are safety pinned in place. I wish I had more fabric to make it wider and I should have hung it on longer straps since I can’t reach the top blocks without a ladder. But for $1.78 I’m thrilled!
Renovate or sell
Many people think about selling their home but first decide to renovate so that the house will sell for more money. This is a mistake and I would like to explain why.
Not being able to get down on the floor to lay out my quilt squares, I devised a design wall from a 6×6 sheet of insulation board. I can just stand it up against the wall at a slight slant and it stays just fine. I covered it with a flannel sheet, tacked to the back. Staples would not work, but I can arrange my squares on the flannel and pin them if necessary. It is light weight and I can move it to my sewing machine or out of the way into the back room. I’m hoping it works to assemble the 3 layers for a quilt. I always have trouble with the layers shifting when I’m doing machine quilting. Does anyone have this same trouble & if so, what do you do?
For a really nifty design wall that is collapsible, light weight, portable and fits in a small bag (but it’s a 6′ X 6′ design wall) check out http://www.cherylannsdesignwall.com.
I come from a long line of crafty ladies. For most of my life, I’ve fought my genetic code and refused to craft anything. Of late, however, I have had this inate desire to learn to quilt and knit.
A couple months ago I was given a sewing machine and then a few weeks ago I found a place in Tilton that offers quilting classes. They are cheap classes (which is good since I’m broke) and she said I could bring my sewing machine so I can learn how to use it. Since school has me bogged down I told her I wouldn’t be in until the spring and she said that was fine.
I have some ideas as to what I want to make; they are practical (I’m a practical girl, what can I say?) window quilts to keep the heat in to reduce the amount of oil we use in the winter. I found some beginner designs on the web, but am still looking for more (there are 5 windows and two doors I need to cover).
Reading your blog has brought this desire out in me in full force. Please keep posting pictures so I have a visual motivation. Your work is beautiful.