My New Design Wall
My new design wall is up, and as promised, I thought I’d share how we put it together. Once all the materials were gathered, it took us an afternoon to finish this project.
The Materials
- Three 4′ x 8′ foam insulation boards
- 2 king-sized quilt batts
- 3 cans Odif 505 basting spray, 12.4 oz (no affiliation)
- 2″ screws
- 9 brackets, 3/4″ x 2″ (approx.)
- Drill
Foam Board Prep
A little prep work was necessary before we began. The frame had been built and secured to the wall, which had a gap to allow the covered foam board to be dropped into place. The foam boards were cut to 7′. From one of the boards, two 18″ x 7′ pieces were cut. The slots for the brackets were carefully cut out of the foam, then covered with blue masking tape (for the spray baste step).
Without the batting added, the foam boards are about 3/4″ thick.
Batting Prep
Laying a foam board on a work table, the batting was draped over it, and trimmed with an overhang of approximately 6″ on the sides, 4″ on the top and bottom. We didn’t measure, just eyeballed it and cut.
We needed to use a dense batting to cover the purple color of the boards. Earlier we tested a few batting scraps I had on hand, and ended up ordering an off brand very close to Warm & Natural.
Spray Basting
For this step, we moved everything outdoors, for good ventilation and less concern about overspray.
Prior to starting this project, the spray baste was tested using a small piece of the foam board (from the pieces cut off in the earlier prep) to be sure the spray wouldn’t react and disintegrate the board. The board and batting combination were also tested, spraying just the board to see how that held the batting, then spraying both the board and batting. The final decision was to spray both because of the batting used. We found we could still reposition it, even after spraying both board and batting. Other battings we tested earlier created a permanent bond when both board and batting were sprayed. So if you try this, be sure to test first on a small piece of foam board.
For this step, the batting was laid on the board, positioning it with even overhang on the sides. One end of the batting was folded over the other, exposing the foam board. Starting at the fold, spray about a foot or so, then carefully lay the batting over the sprayed area, smoothing out any wrinkles. Repeat to the end of the board. For the other side, pull the batting back until you feel the spray basted edge, and repeat the spraying/folding step. For the larger boards in particular, it is easier to do this step with two people.
Once the top of the board was basted, the board was flipped over. Corners were cut in the batting, taking care to have a little bulk as possible. The back and sides of the board were sprayed as well as the sides of the batting, then carefully wrapped to secure the batting to the board. It doesn’t have to look good; this will be against the wall.
Installing the Wall
The narrow walls were “snapped in” first, fitting snuggly into the frame.
Because foam board bows, brackets were added to secure the board to the wall. The brackets were carefully tucked into the slots underneath the batting. With the brackets being held in place, the adjoining board is dropped into the frame, lining up the bracket slots. Secure the brackets with screws, then carefully squirt a little spray baste under the batting and tuck it into place over the brackets.
Note that little bumpy spot just to the upper left of Wilbs’ head – that’s how the bracket area looks before the spray baste is added and the batting is tucked in. It’s tricky to get it to lay flat, but it works well enough. If the wall gets damaged, it is easy to remove a foam board and replace it.
We found this process easy to do, and I’m happy with my new design wall. Of course, we’re already thinking of what we will do differently next time around, but overall we are pleased with how it turned out.
Let me know if you have any questions!
If you have a small quilt room, and would like an idea for a small movable design wall, take a peek at this post.
I’ll be linking up with Kathleen McMusing for her Tips and Tutorials on the 22nd.
Wendy
29 Comments
Helen
Having that wall is going to change your quilting life!
Stitchin at Home
You are going to love that design wall!
Vicki in MN
That is a nice big design wall that you are going to have covered with wonderful projects soon! Nice job you two.
Tracie
You did such a thorough job of testing, planning, and preparing! I wouldn’t have thought to do all that. I also forgot about your small design wall, so thanks for including that link. That could be helpful above my sewing machine when I need to refer to a complicated block placement. I hope you’re ready to move in to your new space!
Barbara J Stanbro
Looks great. What a nice big space you have to work with.
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy! I just LOVE that Wilbs was underneath the table during the batting step. Of course he was! He knew you might need his assistance not to mention his critical eye to detail. De-tail that is. Great job and fabulous tutorial. You did your homework to find what would work best for you and your supplies. You two work well together – almost like you’ve been married a year or two! Thanks for sharing the excellent post. Happy Friday, friend. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
That is a great looking design wall, Wendy! Looks like a good size, too – you’ll enjoy having all that space. I love that Wilbs had to snoop-ervise the proceedings!
The Morning Latte
Oh it looks super and wonderfully big for–dare I say it–multiple projects at a time?!! Look at Wilbs right in on the action. (Don’t you even think about it, kitty!)
Kate
Looks like a very functional design wall. You have lots of room to play with all kinds of projects.
Mari
Great design wall. You will love having such a big one that will fit so many projects. Yours looks so much better than mine, which is just screwed to the wall!
TextileRanger
Thank you for the details of building it! I really love the extra touch of framing it in!
Sally
What a great looking design wall. I’m sure you’ll get a ton of use out of it.
Rochelle Summers
What a great tutorial. So wonderful that Hubby is handy like that. You two work well together and of course you have a great supervisor on the job, too.
Janine @ Rainbow Hare
This is incredible. I can’t wait to see what you put on it. I don’t have anywhere a design wall could go very easily so I’m a tad envious xxx
Needle and Foot
Yikes – that is one huge, gorgeous design wall! I don’t have the wall space for something like that. Well done – I am certain the secret to the success of the wall installation and design is Wilbs. Don’t tell him, his ego will grow even more!
Amusives
Great idea! I made a similar foam board display panel, but smaller and such that I could hang it like a very large picture. I pin my finished crochet scrumbles on it.
Rosemary Dickinson
What a great design wall! I have a piece of flannel/batting that I use. It’s sort of flimsy but it usually works okay. Yours is wonderful!
Katherine Duquette
Congratulations you are almost done with your quilt room. The details on how you constructed the quilt wall are very understandable and soon you’ll have some interesting projects displayed.
texasquiltgal
I am SO impressed with your wonderful wall. It’s “fancy”! I see Wilbs checking to make sure the batting overhang is even. My problem with my wall is that my cats try to pull down the batting., so I end up with shredded batting. It’s not pretty right now. Thank you for all the details, very impressive!
Cocoa Quilts
Wendy your wall is beautiful. What a great description on the steps you took to complete this project. Wilbs was doing a great job overseeing the project!!
Brenda @ Songbird Designs
That’s awesome, Wendy! I know you will enjoy this design wall sew very much!
aquilterstable
Very cool. I’m intrigued by the frame you set the panels into. I know you’ll enjoy your design wall a LOT!
Kathleen McCormick
That is such an awesome design wall. You will be so happy. Mine is small and functional….my J would balk at the idea, but someday, I am going to do this to a wall!
marissthequilter
Fantastic! I think you must have the best design wall in the world.
Quilting is in my Blood
Your design wall was definitely worth the wait!
Laura
Wow, Wendy! You are going to really enjoy putting that design wall to good use! I am jealous and happy for you! Love, love, love! 🙂
The Joyful Quilter
SEW jealous, Wendy!! I’ve got a wall waiting for a similar treatment, but Mr. Basket is slow to get to “extracurricular” projects. General household projects are deemed a more important use of his “free” time.
Preeti Harris
That was a LOT of work but totally worth it. It is a Quilter’s Dream and I am not talking about the batting 😀 LOVE your design wall. May your creativity exceed the bounds of that design wall.
Carol Andrews
ooooh! Wendy it’s perfect! great job and thanks for the tutorial on making it!