Design Wall
A Design Wall is a vertical space covered with flannel, or an easily pinnable surface, used to display quilt blocks and components for a quilt under construction. It can be a permanent fixture or moveable.
Benefits of a Design Wall
- Being able to see the pattern as a quilt develops is very helpful. It can alert the maker to a block that is upside down, or in the wrong spot before the quilt is sewn.
- A Design Wall allows the blocks under construction to be stored where they won't get lost.
- A Design Wall makes it possible to see how the quilt will look before it is completed, making it easy to change fabrics or colors or block placement when the maker wishes to improve the original design.
Supplies and Tools for a Design Wall
Design Walls can be temporary or mounted permanently on a wall.
- Temporary Design Walls are available for purchase as a stand-up frame with a fabric surface that holds quilt blocks during construction.
- A simple way to create a temporary Design Wall is to use 4' x 8' Foam Core or Insulation sheets, cover them with cotton batting or flannel by pinning or taping the material in place. They can be propped against a wall while being used, then stored easily under a bed, out of the way. They are very lightweight and take up little room in storage.
- In small spaces, a security "peep-hole" for a door (purchased from a hardware store) or a "reducing glass", can be used to make the design wall appear farther away and the overall quilt design more apparent.
What I Wished I Knew When I Started - Design Wall
A DESIGN WALL can be one of the most critical parts of your sewing studio or space. Making quilts blocks and designing your quilt is so much easier with design wall because you can you put your work in progress on the wall and take a step back to see the overall impact. While your project is on the Design Wall, you can see if you need to make changes on design or color choices.
