Quilting: Design Wall!
What, you might ask, does this vinyl Christmas tablecloth have to do with a design wall? Well, let me tell ya!
A little birdie told me that I could use a flannel-backed tablecloth for a design wall. Okay, it was Marge (hi, Marge!), who has one in her sewing room, and it works great for her.
The idea has been at the back of my mind for months, but I didn’t have a spare wall. After debating with myself, and lots of cleaning and re-arranging in my sewing/craft room (including giving up a table…GASP!), I am the proud owner of an absolutely free design wall, courtesy of a upcycled tablecloth pulled out of my Christmas stuff!
I love that I’ve been able to put the otherwise unused tablecloth to good use!
The tablecloth was very wrinkled, so I put my iron on the lowest setting and gently ironed the flannel side, leaving the iron on the fabric as little as possible. It smoothed the tablecloth out great, now it has no wrinkly bits!
I applied the tablecloth to the wall just like you’d cover a frame or a seat cushion. One pin in the top and the bottom, then one in each side, smoothing and pinning around until it was taut. It was literally about a 5 minute job.
New design wall, shown here with donated blocks for The Linus Connection.
Fun, huh? This is not my idea, but it’s easy and inexpensive and every quilter needs a design wall, so I had to share!
If you make a Sew Awesome Craft or any pattern, craft or recipe from sewhooked, I’d love to see a photo. Email me or add it to the sewhooked flickr group.
Such a smart idea! I have had my flannel tablecloth design wall for over a year and love it. I don’t know who thought of it, but it’s perfect. Instead of tacking mine down, I have four nails in the wall and have the tablecloth attached to cafe clips that hang on the nails. Then I can easily remove it if I have guests in the room (my sewing room doubles as the guest room).
Oh, clever to keep it on cafe clips! My sewing room ends up being a makeshift guest room, but I suppose if guests can deal with an air mattress, they can handle quilty stuff on the wall, too!
I just wish I hadn’t waited so long to make mine!
i love it
Great idea
Thanks! I know it’s going to be useful.
I have never heard of that but what a fantastic idea!
I had to send a picture to my mom too since she is a quilter & I spotted one of the squares she gave me to send to you. So exciting!
Yep, those are all donated squares! I thought they would make perfect models to show off my new design wall.
That is so clever!
The PBS show “Fons and Porter’s Love of Quilting” gives a free year’s subscription to their quilting magazine if they share a tip on the show that was sent in by a viewer. I think you’d have a very good chance with that tip! Their magazine is a really nice quality one.
Thanks for the tip.
P.S.
Did you have to pin the blocks on, or do they cling automatically?
They just cling!