Large Design Wall Tutorial...

Webster's definition of procrastinate: to put off doing until later; delay. Well, this tutorial is the perfect example of procrastination. Why did it take me so long? Why did I put it off until now? I made the larger frame at the same time I made this smaller frame, but when it came to sewing the fabric for the covering, that's where I put it aside.
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I've had so many emails about the tutorial for the larger design wall, I put my frustration with the fabric part behind me and here we are...
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This large design wall measures about 6 feet by 4 feet. You can use the easel leg or you can just lean it up against a wall in your sewing room. See the original tutorial in conjunction with this one for all instructions.



The pvc pipes I used are 3/4" and they come in 10 foot lengths. You will need three -10 foot pipes.



You will also need:
4 corner pieces (90 degree angle) smooth on the inside, no threads. Make sure all parts are for 3/4" pipes
1 T unit (has 2 opening on the sides and 1 on the bottom)
1 cap cover for the tripod leg, just to finish off the edge
rubber mallet
tape measure
pencil
hack saw
and skip the box of velcro...that was for the frustrating fabric part that I won't be sharing!!!



Here are the measurements that you will be cutting from the three -10 foot pvc pipes.
From each pipe cut:
*three -6 foot pieces
*you will have three 4 foot pieces left over.
*keep one at 4 feet
*cut the second in half so you will have two 24" pieces
*and the third pieces is just a left over.
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this is the set up for assembly:
the two 24" piece on the top with the "T" joiner in the middle
the 4 foot piece on the bottom
the three 6 foot pieces are the sides and the tripod leg.


close up of the top.

close up of the "T" on the top row.

close up of one of the four corners.

The next few pictures are of the assembly and measuring of the top row.

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Take the two 24" pieces and with the mallet or hammer, tap each piece into the "T" into the side holes.

Take the bottom pipe that is 4 feet and just mark a line at the half way point of 24 inches.

Now take the assembled top row (with the "T" in the middle) and match the halfway pencil mark of the bottom 4 foot pipe to the center of the "T".

Because the "T" adds some inches to the length of the pipe, you need to make sure your top pipe and the bottom pipe are the same size. The picture below shows the extra inches on each side.

Trim the extra pipe with your hack saw.

Now your top and bottom pipes are the same size. (it doesn't look like they are in this picture, but they are.)

All you need to do now is tap all the parts together!!!

To make the tripod leg go back to keep the frame standing up, just twist the "T" joint and the leg until it's at the angle that you want.

Now for a very short version of the fabric frustration. I tried to make a single layer for the fabric cover, because this frame is so large. However, you need the fabric to be taught on the frame not loose where the quilt blocks will fall off. I sewed 2 rod pockets for the bottom pipe and one of the side pipes, then I used velcro for the other side and the top to pull it tight around the pipes. Not good...to be honest...looked like crap!!!

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My suggestion is to make the same type covering as I did for the small frame...like a pillow case. You will use more fabric, but when the front gets dirty, all you need to do is turn it around. The only difference with the larger pillow case is you need to slip the cover over the frame before you add the tripod leg. Make your slip cover out of felt or flannel according to your measurements of the finished frame. See how I measured in the other tutorial (every one's measurements will be a little different, depending on how hard you've hammered the pipes together.) Slip it over the frame and then cut a small hole in the fabric where the "T" joint is, then add your tripod leg.

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If you don't want a free standing design wall, you don't have to add the leg. All you need to do is just lean the frame against a wall.

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If anyone can think of a better method on how to cover this monster, let me know and I'll share it with everyone.

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I'm so happy I can finally check this off my "To Do" list. Actually, I have a lot checked off today...it's a good feeling.

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See you at the hardware store in the pvc aisle!!!

~Karen~