How are you attaching the "covering" and mounting

[Pat L.]

Have been reading the various posts about design walls - lots of great ideas. I think hubby will get something today (foamcore or something similar and about 4x6' is right for my space) but what we are looking for is what is the best way to attach the "covering" (whether it be batting, sheets, flannel etc) - like will a staple gun be too rough on the "foam"board??

Also - how is everyone mounting their walls to the wall? Hubby wants to mount it the most secure way and I would probably leave it up permanently - but then we are concerned again by what screws, etc. you can put into foamcore insulation etc. :?:

Any ideas what other are doing would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[Pat L.]

I used thumb tacks and attached the flannel directly to the upper wood molding on the wall in my (garage) studio. So far it is holding well, and the cats are not playing hide and seek behind it like they did when I had it in the hallway. The walls in garage are cement block so this was pretty much my only option. It was real cheap too. I think I used 4-5 yards flannel from walmart at $2/yard. Sandi in FL

[Pat L.]

I used batting over foam board for mine and just used pins to attach it. Mine is folded in a corner so it stands alone so I didn't have to attach it to the wall. There is a picture on my profile. Good luck!

[Pat L.]

I got a large piece of foam core (4' x 6') at Joann's Fabrics on sale (really cheap) an a used queen-size white flannel sheet from the Amvet's Thrift Store during a 99 cents sale on sheets. I just wrapped the sheet around the foam core tautly and pinned it with safety pins in the back. It's very sturdy, but lightweight. I just lean it against the wall--it's not attached--so that I can easily move it around for the best lighting when I want to photograph something on it. For example, I recently photographed my 2009 BOM Show & Tell entry with my design wall just leaning against the railing of my office/sewing loft.

[Sherry B.]

My DH just screwed it right into the walls. He figures we can fill the holes and repaint if we ever take it down.

[Beth A.]

Definitely the best way I found was T-pins, which are available at your favorite Jo-Ann's. I wrapped the felt around the top and sides of the foam board, but left it off the bottom edge because I thought it would attract dirt / dust. Based on the dirt and dust which collects there, anyway, I think it was a good decision.

BethMI

[Beth A.]

I just used finishing nails and nailed a double sized flannel sheet to the wall in the studio. ops:
Someday when I paint in there, I will fill the holes and probably use magnetic paint so i can attach the design wall using magnets.

Jean in Windsor, ON

[Paula D.]

Eleanor Burns has a great system that she describes in a video, as well as other things for the sewing studio. You might want to check that out.

[Paula D.]

I used 2 4x6 foam boards taped together with flannel wrapped around the board and attached with duct tape. then attached the design wall with those mirror brackets. I wanted to be able to fit a bed size quilt top on it. I had to juggle alittle, but managed.

[Paula D.]

I have two pieces of the heavy (thick) foamcore that are taped together down one side. It's huge, I think 4x10 each? (Believe me, I didn't buy these, but it was something DH had, it's got a space shuttle photo on the other side :lol: ) Anyway, it's a bit taller than the ceiling so it leans on an armoire that's behind it, not too much angle, and when it needs to "go away" (guest room) it folds in the middle and I slide it behind the door. I used T-pins to pin white fleece at the top & on the sides, just pin directly into the foam from the edge, voila, no holes! The fleece just overlaps a bit at the middle and hasn't caused any problem, it sticks to itself.
Florence

[Hannelore N.]

Am I the only one?? My design 'wall' is a little unusual. I have a small room at the back of the house that has large windows on three walls. I close any number of the 6 calico floor length curtains (thank you, IKEA!) and pin things to them. It suits me and the way I work.

Lorchen

[Hannelore N.]

I have a flannel backed vinyl table cloth tacked to the wall behind my ironing board. It's usually big enough and blocks stick to it really well. I have another that I take to retreats and tape up.

I got the foam board from a home inprovement store but found it way too big. It's now cut into 4ths so each piece is 2' x 4'. One of them is covered in flannel so blocks stick easily, the others I pin things to. They can be stacked together out of the way and I can move 1 or 2 when I want. I've even taken one to a meeting for a display.

[Eileen K.]

I have a 3x8 piece of foam insulation wedged in between a window and a corner. Right now I don't have anything over it, I just use pins.

[Anne B.]

I have my design wall on huge sliding doors in front of my fabric cabinet. You can see pictures of it on my profile page.

I had the cabinetmaker mount donacona board over the wood, so I'd be able to stick pins into the wall if I wanted. Then I covered the donacona with gridded flannel. I used 404 Basting Spray (it's repositionable and permanent) to affix the flannel to the donacona. After I pulled the flannel around the edges of the doors, the cabinetmaker trimmed the excess and then installed thin strips of oak all the way around the doors, to hold the flannel in place and give the doors a professional finish.

The only problem was that one of my cats thought it was a giant scratching post! I used a dry iron to stick the flannel back down, then covered the bottom three feet with clear vinyl held on with thumbtacks. She hasn't looked at it since.

I LOVE my design wall!

Anne in Vancouver, Canada

[Anne B.]

Anne, I've been wanting to tell you that your kitty looks so much like mine! Mine is called Mindy and she's just about 2 years old. She loves to sharpen her claws on my sewing machine tote. It's kind of a coarsely woven tapesty type fabric and I don't think she does any harm, so I let her. I love that she comes into the sewing room with me when I sew and has her own basket under the window.

Your design wall sounds like the best one yet. I'm still waiting for a permanent sewing studio. For now, a flannel backed table cloth on the dining room wall does fine!

Nancy in western NY