PORTABLE DESIGN WALL


CHECK OUT THE EARS AND TAIL



Portable design wall  (approx 3’ wide by 6’ tall)

Parts:
2 long pieces of wood (½ ” deep by 1 ½ to 2 inches wide by 6 foot high).  New lumber usually comes in 8-10’ lengths; Lowes and Home Depot will cut it to size for you.
10 large binder clips (Standard office type, about 2” wide by ½” deep)
One folding pattern cutting board (about 36” x 60”).  This is corrugated cardboard, usually available at JoAnns or Hancocks.  Folds up to about 12” by 60” by 2”.
Cream or white flannel (2 yds if yardage) that will be slightly larger than cutting board

Directions:
Open cardboard with long edge on floor, standing up
Lay one wood slat along upper edge starting at one top edge of cardboard.  Secure together with 5 binder clips along the length of the cardboard.
Lay the flannel on top of the cardboard, wrapping about 2” around the wood/cardboard sandwich.  Resecure each binder clip over the now flannel/wood/cardboard sandwich.
Turn the project so that the edge you just worked on is on the floor
Add 2nd wood slat to the new edge, on the same face of the cardboard already done, starting at the equivalent end
Secure cardboard and wood with 5 large binder clips
Bring loose long side of flannel up to wrap around sandwich and resecure the 5 binder clips to include the flannel.
Adjust flannel and clips to ensure smooth surface
Turn the wall to vertical position with the exposed legs on floor side

Notes:
1. There is a larger (and much more expensive) board that measures 40” x 6’.  This would give you 4” more width, but you would probably need to cut off1-2 folds.  However, if you want an 8’ tall wall, this may be worth it.  Flannel yardage width of fabric still works.
2. Beth uses hers at home leaning against bookcases (see picture).  If leaning against a wall, add something protective at the top corners, such as batting, flannel or similar, that will come between the wood and the wall.
3. Putting the bottom feet about a foot from the wall gives a nice angle for working.  Several of these together stack nicely or fit side by side if you have the wall space, and are lightweight enough to carry room to room without disassembling.
4. Batting can be used instead of flannel, but gets fairly messy with threads after a while.  Flannel can be neatened easily with a lint roller, and washed if ever needed.
5. Travel size:  you can keep the wood at 6’ if you have room in the car.  But if you cut the two 6’ wood into four 3’ sections, it’s a lot more portable.  Secure two 3’ sections with another large binder clip.  Repeat with other two 3’ sections.  Then go ahead with the sandwiching as above, but put 2 of the 5 sandwich binder clips just on either side of the one that holds only the wood pieces, for greater stability.




No comments: