New House, New Project, Build Another Design Wall

This is a post from a few years ago, but we have moved and I need a new design space so I am reposting this as much for me as it is for you...


So, what is a design wall?  Well, first of all, you know that a quilter needs his/her space, right?  I have taken over all of what once was a dining room and a big room in the basement.  Why?  Because a quilter has a bunch of stuff.  This stuff is not all fabric.  It is sewing machines, cutting boards, big tables to hold quilts as they are being quilted, other big tables to provide space for making quilt sandwiches (not a food group), and for me, an area by the laundry room downstairs for my dyeing studio (yes, we call them all our studios).

My dining room sewing table, design wall behind.

So, in my dining room where I have my sewing machine and big quilting table, I decided I needed a design wall.  A design wall is a place where you can put up blocks you have made and easily move them around to make the quilt design, hence design wall.  The blocks have to stick and be easily moved around, so I went on a quest to find out what people made design walls of.  What I found out was that blocks stick magically to batting, so the outside of my wall I made of batting.  For the inside, I went to Menards and bought two one-inch sheets of insulation.  So, since my wall was a standard height, I took the insulation and covered it, only to find out that "standard" is not standard, you have floors and rugs and ceiling treatments that make when you cover the "standard", you get a bit of a tight fit, as below:

About a six inch gap!

Curved away from the wall!

Should be flat against the wall!

So, down to the cutting board, remove the spray-basted batting and do what I should have done in the first place, measure and cut the board to the proper height.   Well, I almost got it right; styrofoam is hard to cut with a kitchen knife so what you can't see is that there is a gap and the board is a bit wonky, but I am happy!

I now have my design wall in my design studio and am as happy as punch!

Just thought I would share this quilt that I finally finished and gave to a recent high school graduate.  I have been taking my quilt tops out and getting them finished.  I have given some away, some to charity and some as gifts but I have come to the point in my work that I really need to start selling my work.  I will put them up on my website soon and then they will be available.  I need to sell in order to make more!  I will also put up my journey in Rosemaling.   I am making a firm commitment to get better all the time at Rosemaling so you will be seeing more of my painting in days to come. 

I love having you here and I hope my blog will be one you continue to follow.

Thanks a bunch for being you!   Kay

Well, here I am again...

Lots of things have happened.  I have become a really good quiltmaker.  Really good.  Ready to sell my quilts.  I will be posting them on kayholm.com and sending pictures your way on the Sew Golden a Chance.  It really has become so golden a chance.

Lots to share, lots of worries, lots of hopes, lots of dreams...

My next program I am working on is Rosemaling.  I hope to be selling some pieces soon.  Watch for pictures and updates.

SO, I am a quilt maker and a good one.  Soon to be a Rosemaler and a good one.  Please check back often.