Quilting Wall Board: Ideas and Inspiration for Hanging Quilts as Decor

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Getting the Most Out of Quilting Wall Boards

Quilting wall boards, also known as design walls, are an essential tool for many quilters. As a long-time quilter myself, I often get asked about the best ways to utilize quilting boards to enhance productivity and creativity in quilt design. In this article, I’ll share my tips for making the most of these handy helpers.

Choosing the Right Quilting Board

When selecting a quilting wall board, consider the following factors:

  • Size – The board should be large enough to display an entire quilt top with some extra space for rearrangement. I’d recommend at least 60 x 60 inches.
  • Portability – If storage space is limited, opt for a lightweight board that can be taken down easily after each use.
  • Surface – Fleece and flannel fabrics provide texture for pins to grip. Smooth surfaces like plastic sheeting may allow fabrics to slip.

Using Quilting Boards Effectively

Here are my top tips for maximizing creativity with your quilting wall board:

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  1. Start by laying out all the blocks, then play with potential layouts. Feel free to get creative!
  2. Take a step back frequently to visualize how blocks and colors are balancing out.
  3. Use painter’s tape to experiment with new designs risk-free before committing.
  4. Display works-in-progress for days at a time to allow ideas to percolate.

I cannot overstate the usefulness of keeping the board up semi-permanently rather than constantly installing and dismantling it.

Enhancing Productivity

Besides enabling experimentation, quilting boards also simply make quilting tasks faster and easier:

  • The vertical surface gives excellent visibility and prevents neck strain from looking down at a quilt in your lap.
  • Blocks and layouts can be constantly rearranged with ease as pieces are swapped out.
  • Issues like color balance and fabric interplay become plainly obvious on the wall, enabling on-the-fly adjustments.

In my experience, having that bird’s eye perspective makes all the difference compared to designing in a more confined space.

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Storage and Care

When not actively quilting, here are some tips for keeping your board in great shape:

  • Store flat or gently rolled up – avoid creasing or folding the board.
  • Purchase a quilting board cover or make one yourself.
  • Use thin craft magnets to keep the cover from shifting if rolled.
  • Spot clean with soap and water as needed – avoid overly wetting the surface.

With proper storage and care, a quality quilting design wall can serve your creative needs for many years without deterioration.

I hope you’ve found these tips helpful! Please feel free to reach out if you have any other questions. As both an avid quilter and sewing instructor, I’m always happy to offer advice. Keep quilting!

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Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Quilting Wall Board
Type Thickness Weight Portability Durability
Foam 1/2″ – 2″ Lightweight Easy to move Prone to dents
Fleece 1/4″ – 1/2″ Lightweight Easy to roll up Not very durable
Wood 3/4″ – 1″ Heavy Hard to transport Very durable
Plastic 1/4″ – 1/2″ Lightweight Portable Prone to scratches
Cork 1/4″ – 1/2″ Medium weight Somewhat portable Durable

FAQ

What is a quilting wall board?

A quilting wall board, sometimes called a design wall, is basically a large padded board that you can pin your quilt blocks and patches to. It lets you step back and see how your quilt is coming together and make changes before you sew it all together.

What can I use to make a quilting design wall?

You have a few options for making a quilting wall board. Many quilters use a large sheet of rigid insulation foam, sorta like those science fair boards we all had to put together back in middle school. You can also use a large piece of felt or even an old quilt batt pinned to the wall. Anything that will hold pins and let you rearrange stuff easily.

How big should my quilting design wall be?

Ideally you want your quilting wall board to be big enough to display an entire quilt block or even a whole quilt top if you’ve got the space for it. Most folks recommend a minimum of 60″ x 72″ but bigger is always better! Unless you wanna turn your living room into Grandma’s craft closet, heh.

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Where should I put my quilting design wall?

Find an empty wall space with room to step back for perspective. Bedrooms or craft rooms work nicely. Garages or basements too, I guess, if you don’t mind freezing your buns off down there in winter! Wherever you got reasonably good light and space to quilt in peace.

How do I attach stuff to the design wall?

People mostly use straight pins to fix their quilt pieces to the wall board. Longer quilting pins work better than standard pins so they actually stick in good. You can also use binder clips in a pinch, or get fancy with magnet strips, but pins are tried and true.

Any tips for using a quilting design wall?

Stand back frequently to evaluate how blocks and colors are balancing out. Take photos with your phone so you can ponder layouts later. Don’t overpin things! Just enough pins to keep pieces in place, so the wall doesn’t get too porcupine-y. And most importantly, don’t spill red wine on your quilt wall!