I am fortunate enough to have my own sewing room.  However, I do have to share my space with a full size bed.  It is “suppose” to be for guests but has functioned as my design area for awhile.  The bed, unfortunately, is becoming more extra storage space with all the projects I juggle at the same time.  If I need to lay out a quilt, it ends up on the floor.  But you know that leads to an open invitation for my kids to run over my blocks…

That’s why I need a new design wall.  There are quite a number of options out there.  I definitely don’t have the space for the portable versions like this one (or the money.)  I didn’t want to hang rods for a design curtain.  The wall needs to be flat and flush as possible.  When guests have to actually have to use the bed, I also want something that wasn’t permanent.

My solution?  A cork strip and some flannel fabric.  I bought this great 48″ long cork strip here.  You can probably find the same cork strip at an office supply store, but who can compete with Prime shipping, right!?!

Initially, I tried to use the mounting strips that came along in the package, but they couldn’t handle the weight when the flannel was added.  Instead, I used some large picture-hanging strips to hold up the cork.

As luck may have it, Robert Kaufman has this great grid fabric in flannel….perfect for a design wall.  The flannel allows quilt cottons and other flannels to “stick” without the need of pins.  Initially, I used some cute thumbtacks to hold up the flannel, but the cork strip is actually not that thick.  But nothing a few quilting pins can’t fix 😉

And here’s my fast and functional design wall.  It is quite simple and I love it.  The best part is I can quickly remove the flannel when needed.  What do you use for a design space?

Happy Sewing,

Cristy

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