Cheryl Ann's Design Wall

[quiltnutt]

I have been looking at this design wall for my retreats.

I'm going to ask you all if you have had the chance to use it.

Likes and dislikes,I need feedback.

All retreaters get a design wall for the week and I need something that is strong,durable and I can store them in my house.

Thanks

[seakitten]

I saw one at a retreat recently. I did not like it, and would not buy it. It seemed tricky to put together, and flimsy. It did fall down once or twice. On the plus side, it is a good size, and easily portable.

[Lsilver]

I have one and don't like it. They have apparently improved the brace mechanism, but the large size is too flimsy.

[Sue E.]

I have one - the largest size and it works for me. However, it was a real pain to put together and I wouldn't want to have to do it all the time. The brace system is poor and it does collapse every now and then. In January I saw they have a kit to fix some of the bracing problems.

If you don't have room or a place to put a permanent design wall, this works. Mine basically leans up against a wall unit in my living room which is now my studio.

[JoleneK]

I also have one and it is a pain to put together and flimsy. Don't really get it out much anymore, in fact not even sure where I put it. hmmmm.....

[barbm]

My design wall, for what it's worth, is two sheets of foam insulation, cut to a 6½ foot height, "hinged" with duct tape (pink, of course!), then covered with a flannel sheet. I used spray-on adhesive to adhere the sheet to the front of the panels, then stapled the edges on the back, and for good measure, covered the edges with duct tape. I've carried this "contraption" to two retreats and a demonstration already, and it's getting loaded into my car/trailer this afternoon to go to another retreat/longarm demonstration. Works for me, and the cost was right.....

[Guest Linda S]

I have one and also lean it against a wall so, it doesn't experience many of the collapse issues. My quilting studio has slanted walls, so I can't use a traditional design wall.

Linda

[BethDurand]

I too regret that I purchased one. I had the largest one, and also found it flimsy. I vote for Barb's foam board and flannel. I've also seen people use a flannel backed table cloth suspended from the wall, or over windows or door frames. Good luck in your search.

[witha'K'quilting]

I too have used a flannel covered pink foam insulation for a design wall. Works for me. Inexpensive too and pins stick in it a zillion times. Love it. Not something I carry to retreats and all day quilting however. Way to go Barb! And I thought I had a lot that I brought with me everywhere I go.

[lindasewsit]

I've heard of using the material they put in cars for the "ceiling" over wood.

[JustSewSimple]

I also did the flannel covered "R" board. My husband built a frame for it with hinges so it will fold nicely when traveling. I made a sling for it to make it easy to carry. Mine is only 4' X 4' but is perfect for traveling. I use it all the time when teaching. I actually use the same materials inside where I have an 8'X8' design wall and a 4' X 4' wall and still need more wall space.

[Sandnerk]

I am happy to see that I am not alone in my dislike for this product. The first one I tried to set up was awful. When I called they said the flannel piece was the problem and sent me another one. It was equally bad. They were good about refunding my money. One of these days I will do a foam core board, fabric covered one on my sliding closet door.

Kathy

[Boni]

I have a friend on the coast who uses PVC pipe. I think it's six foot square so each piece would be six feet, and four 90 degree elbows. Then she safety-pins flannel around the pipes to make the "board" and leans it against the wall. I wish I had a picture. Don't glue the elbows on so you can dis-assemble it for traveling and storage. If it is much larger, the pipes sag. I think they are 2 inch pipe for no sagging.

Hope it helps

[quiltnutt]

To All,

thanks for the input.

Since I would have to get 25 boards for the retreaters,I didn't want to spend the $ and have an inferior product.

At home I use a foam board and stick pins in it.

I can buy foam board and let the retreaters bring their own flannel. This would work for all.

The teacher I would have to make a bigger one.

[Boni]

I love your birdhouse blocks! That looks like a lot of fun.

[IBQLTN2]

I also have one and think it is pretty good if you can lean it up against a wall. I have used it many times and take along a roll of blue painters tape and tape the corners so that the poles don't come out of the plastic corner pieces. Another easy way to use it is to just put one set of the poles thru the top sleeve and hang it to a wall using those 3d hooks I think that is what they are called . they adhere to your walls and will not take off paint or paper when removed. you just put up two or three of these hooks and lay the rod across it. Now if you dont' have a wall or window or whatever the frame will work but is pretty flimsey

[quiltnutt]

Boni,

Thanks..the birdhouses was a swap I did.

I just won a second place ribbon for my Japanese Lotus at the Broward Quilt Show. I'm excited.

It's a small show compare to MQX,etc but I had to get my feet wet.

[Sheri Butler]

My hubby made mine, but its permenant. We framed out a piece of plywood, then I covered it with felt!

Now, it "is" possible to make a hinged one, that would fold in half, but not into fourth's doing it this way.

I love mine! It's 5'x 6' I believe.

[quiltnutt]

Thanks to all for your input.

I will not be buying this item.

I will stick to foam board. I have to store them in my house and bring to them to the retreat place for 25 quilters.

I can handle this.

[Sparkle]

Hi Pat,

I have the portable design wall you are asking about, and have used it at a quilting retreat I go to twice a year for several years.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2020878910101095556QDEKYQ?vhost=home-and-garden

http://community.webshots.com/user/TheRanchHands

Many of us at retreat have these portable design walls and love them! We tried a lot of other things before these came along, and now these are all we use. The only problem we have noticed is that so many of us have them now, it is sometimes hard to find a space for setting them up if everyone wants to use theirs....so now we often share one portable. per two quilters.

Sure, they take a few minutes to set up and take down. But, it's not difficult. We lean ours up all along the walls behiind our sewing spaces.

We usually have 30 to 45 quilters at each Ranch hand retreat. We would be lost without these portable design walls now!

[Gator]

I'm afraid that I bought one of each size and hate all of them. Everything is flimsey!!! They come apart or fall over if a breeze hits them. I saw her booth at the quilt show last month and mentioned the above and she tried to sell me some new stabilizer bars!!! I said no thank you, I'm done with your product.:mad:

[quiltnutt]

Sparkle and Gator,thanks for your input.

I have received alot of info and we have decided not to buy this design wall.