Tool Time Tuesday...Make Your Own Design Wall

Happy Tuesday everyone! I had a thought to change the design wall in my sewing room to a more useful space. I wanted it to be large to use up the whole wall. I only have one section of wall space that's not covered with furniture, so I want to utilize the entire section.

I wanted the design wall to look like a nine patch quilt block...but JUMBO!!

Here's what I made...it just on the floor for now. I haven't hung it on the wall yet, because I think my daughter Kelsie wants to take it!!

Each square is 2 feet by 2 feet, so the final size is 6 feet by 6 feet!!

Looking at this picture now, I want to move that black chalkboard square down one.

Let's see how you can make a design wall of your own. It doesn't have to be the same size. You can scale it down it fit your space.
I wanted to make the wall with things I already had like fabric, paint, cork etc. I just needed the wood base.

The best and cheapest solution was a 4 foot by 8 foot sheet of lauan plywood that is 3/16 of an inch thick. It was only $12.00 for the full sheet.

They will cut the whole sheet into 2 foot squares for you!!

There are so many things you can add to each board...chalkboard paint, magnetic paint, fabric, cork etc.

To cover with fabric, cut your fabric larger than your board size.

Staple gun all the way around.

Fabric pulled tight and stapled.

I used ring hangers to nail on the upper corners of each square.

The tiny nails are just hammered in.

I had some old thin cork I wanted to use. I just pieced it together. I didn't mind that it had a few rips in it. The papers or pictures that will be on the board will cover it anyways. I also used it under some of the fabric.

 I used wood glue to attach the cork.

Spread glue with a foam brush.

 I wanted one board to be magnetic, like this metal board I have in the frame.

My Home Depot didn't have the sheet metal I needed, because I think I bought that other one at Lowe's. I did buy this to try though.

It's a magnetic primer! You just paint it on in three coats.

Here is the break down of each board.

Flannel fabric to use as a quilt design wall.

Fabric over cork for messages or inspirational pictures, notes or photos.

Chalkboard...I did have chalkboard spray paint, but I forgot I had a roll of chalkboard contact paper that I bought at Michael's Craft store. You just stick it on.

Another fabric board. I think I will add criss cross ribbon.

A plain cork board.

Pretty French fabric.

This was a dry erase board that I cut up to match the size of the others. Cuts easily with a jig saw, but it's a 2 person job. Someone needs to hold it so it doesn't bounce. You could cut it on a table saw too.

Sorry about that shadow on the bottom. A chair in the way that I just couldn't move. The board is all white.

Magnetic under this fabric.

I also cut a piece of peg board I had. You can have your hardware store cut this for you too.

A small piece of peg board (2 feet by 4 feet) is about $7.00.

This is great to hold scissors, quilt rulers, thread and other supplies.

This is jumbo, but like I mentioned before, you could cut the wood pieces to 1 foot square to fit your space.

Change up what's on your boards too. Design what you need and how many you will use.

You could just hang a large board with flannel on it for quilt designing.

It's fun to pick out the fabric and what boards you'll use the most.

Looks like I won't be using any of these boards if Kelsie takes them to school with her!!

Happy Tuesday,
~Karen~