I changed my design boards to fleece also. It works as well as batting and can be cleaned with a lint roller. I'm definitely going to try your sewing method, so much neater. I also quit using hot glue, too expensive and burning my fingers. I used regular Elmer's white glue, then ironed it. That made the glue set-up immediately. But the sewing is so much neater.
@@jshipard54Go to your local sewing store (like Joann’s) % they have it and make sure it’s in sale! Fleece is used to make really cute afghans, quilts, probably hats?? Etc.
You can clean your old batting covered board by ironing down the waxy side of freezer paper. When you let it cool, then pull the freezer paper off, it pulls all the threads and batting pills off. You have a nice new looking board. I saw a lady use ultra hold fusible interfacing and her iron instead of hot glue. Just in case your machine can not power through the foam board.
Girl!! Mind blown. I’ve made one with the hot glue and that’s what stopped me from making beyond the 1. Now I can see many using this technique. Super clean and professional looking. Thank for this tutorial!
Great idea! I also came to the conclusion that hot glue wasn’t for me so I have made my boards using pretty duct tape on the edges. Works like a charm! I do agree about swapping batting for fleece and I just use a bit of basting spray to keep it tacked to the foam core while I do the edges. But I am going to try my machine on this method
Oh my goodness! I love these design boards. They are truly the neatest, cleanest looking ones out there. I can't wait to make one.Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you for creating this helpful tutorial, Lora! Your are so clever to figure out that we could sew on to the foamcore and avoid the hot glue. I appreciate your tips about using fleece/flannel instead of batting and what features you use on your sewing machine, too. You are a great teacher! ❤
This is brilliant! I made such a mess when I tried Lori method ended up using duct tape. Hot glue is not my friend. Also hated not being able to clean up the batting. Now I’m ready to try again.😊 Thank you!
I have been wanting to make Lori's design boards for a few years now but still have not done anything yet...this may motivate me to get started. I already have some foam board and probably some extra strips of fabric or unused binding leftover from some quilts. I do have a question, could you not sew the strips on like binding a quilt if you did not want to sew the strips inwards? I didn't understand the difference in choosing this over binding the foam boards. Thanks for the tutorial much appreciated. 😁☺
You absolutely could. I just chose this method to reduce a little bulk on the side and make sure I could pull it night and tight for a clean finish. You should totally try it the "normal" quilting binding way and see what you think. :)
I’ve wanted some of these design boards ever since I saw them, but also avoid hot glue and thought the fleece would quickly get too “shaggy” for my liking. Sometimes procrastinating is a good thing LOL 😆! Now I’ll be making mine your way. Great ideas and tips. Thanks. New subscriber.
Love it! I made some of Lori Holtz type also, mostly small which I find to small for me so I have been planning to make a couple more big ones. I' m glad your video popped up, can't wait to try your method. Thanks ❤
Hi Lora. I followed your instructions and made two design boards. I'm presently making four more of different sizes using flannel. I used the vinyl from an old vinyl tablecloth to make the bias tape. Then I sewed the vinyl bias tape around the edges of my design boards. They came out beautifully! You're right. They aren't difficult to make. Thank you so much for posting this video.♥
I also figured this out & cut my bindings 3" wide & chose white 2 sided flannel. It worked out well for me, too. Love that great minds think alike. I really didn't like the batting for the reason you showed & the fluff that came off while trying to hot glue ...'nuf said!!!
I looked at the Juki long and hard when I was going to buy a machine. If I had the Juki industrial machine I would not think twice about using your suggestion but my Janome Continental M7 just can't do that ... Thank you for sharing your wonderful idea.
The Janome Continental M7 can't sew through foam core board?! I almost bought one - but opted for the Baby Lock Chorus instead - I had looked @ Juki - but I am not familiar with that brand. I am VERY surprised the Janome CM7 isn't able to handle that project! (it is a step above my BLCH I think in quality.) I plan to try with my Baby Lock - because this project is just too good to pass up! 😊🎉
I absolutely love it!!!❤❤❤ I can't wait to try it, too. Likewise I too burned my fingers and I really like the way it looks sewing on the binding. Thanks for the tips and new method. Totally awesome! 🎉🎉🎉
Absolutely amazing! Who’d have thought of using your machine. I also have a Juki and recognize that they are stronger than other domestic brands. I could also do this on my Featherweight as it will sew thru leather…. Crazy. We’re making these for our Guilds’ Boutique. Couldn’t have come at a better time! Thanks so much 👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you so much for a great new idea on the design boards, I’ll be changing all mine soon. Love it! Keep up the good and great ideas, much appreciated.
I am so happy to find you. I too made a few Lori Holt design boards and burned my fingers with the hot glue. I would not have thought of sewing these on machine. This is brilliant!! I have a Juki 2010 packed away and need to get it out so I can make more design boards. I subscribed to your channel and look forward to more ideas. Loved your video!! Thank you!
I used my featherweight, go slow, long stitch, jeans needle, and steam a seam without steam to hold down the back neatly. Gave them as prizes at guild party. THANK YOU!
I have 2 boards and used grided interfacing. I just folded over the edge to the back and used double sided tape. It's held over 2 years now. I like your idea with sewing a binding through the plastic board. Perfect idea, will update my boards. You could also put sand paper where you're fleece is or on one corner and use it to sharpen pencils when drawing. The fleece would hold the sandpaper in one corner and then remove it when needing to replace it? Just an idea for someone who draws? My granddaughter would love this. I'll experiment, just putting an idea out in our craft world... Babs near Tombstone AZ...
I love the way you made your design board. Your instructions are so easy to follow and understand. Where do you buy the foam board? Thank you for sharing. God bless.
You are a genius! I tried the traditional way but I just didn’t like the results. I’m definitely remaking all of my boards. I think I’m going to try flannel though. Thank you for sharing this with me! 💗
I’m thinking about sharing your video with my sewing group in April. I also saw Lori Holt’s videos. You mentioned that you were going to use fleece instead of batting so you could use a lint roller to remove small threads and such. After using your fleece design besides for the last year, how are they holding up? Is the flannel better? Does flannel hold cotton as well as fleece? Any other suggestions I should pass along? Any ideas for improvement? Thanks, Tondi
I have both fleece and flannel boards. Not are holding up really well. My only thoughts is to make sure you purchase just plain foam board... not the type with adhesive on one side. It's not the same stuff and could mess up your machine. Feel free to share. Enjoy.
Really gotta wonder about my sewing machine and sewing foam board on it. I guess I spent way to much $$ on my high end beautiful machine to gum it up with plastic ... Thanks anyway.
Thank you for your comment. Everyone must make their choices. I haven't had any issues, though I've also sewn many different types of materials on my machine including leather, paper, cardstocks, and many foam core boards. I wish you the best.
like the idea of sewing -might just have to try that.... I have been using microfiber cloths. I find blocks really stick to them and I been using my freezer paper to iron on for cleaning.... Thanks for the ideas
Excellent! I made a mess out of the hot glue method and was going to try something else with some felt I've saved using another sewing method. Your method looks like I might be successful this time. Thank you!
Dear Lora thank you so much for tutorial on how to make design boards. I have sewed mine and I love it. It is great. I just need to improve my Mitred corners T
It’s good to know about using fleece or flannel. I’ve tried to clean up my boards that have batting on them, it doesn’t work. I was wondering if using a sewing machine perforates the foam board so it breaks off. Have you had that problem? Is a 3.0 stitch length long enough that it won’t happen? Thanks for a good tutorial!
Aww... thanks for your interest. I did a tour last October in Flosstube 14. It hasn't changed much since then. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Rj3RWsVo-vs.html
I recently watched the LH video of her making these, and did expect her to use her machine to sew the binding down....was surprised to see her use hot glue! It seemed so awkward. What's a floating option and how does it help with this project? Thanks
The float option is a setting on my juki that lifts the presser foot just a smidge and it lessens the tension so it floats better over bulky objects. I have a juki dx7
Hmmm... You have me curious as to what you are seeing... at what point did you see it, so I can figure out what you saw. I don't have a Baltimore Album quilt... on the design wall is Calico Garden and behind my ironing board is My Happy Place. Both Lori Holt designs.
What a great idea! My only question is...does sewing thru the foam board make the board prefarated and edges easy to come off? I guess when you increase the stitch length, that would help.
❤ I have my foam board cut but wasn’t to happy with the thought of hot glue. I like the 14” size the best but I also had a rectangle left over that may work for next to my machine if I’m doing a couple different pieced blocks🤷🏻♀️ I did try a test with tacky glue but I agree sewing them is easy and looks so neat when it’s finished. Thank you for the tutorial 😊
Hmmm... my pincushion pattern... the quilt behind my ironing board? That is My Happy Place by Lori Holt. I give a more in-depth look at in during my craft room tour... which is Flosstube 18. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Rj3RWsVo-vs.html
I use them for laying out my quilt block pieces, so I don't get mixed up along the way. I also use smaller ones when I cross stitch to put my floss and such on.
Lora, since you have used these for a while, have you had any issues with the foam board perforating? I like your idea a lot but was curious about this.
I made my design boards maybe a couple years ago 🤔. I used batting and they still look like new because I do use the lint roller and it works fine. However I like the idea of using the machine because I might have burnt a finger or three with the hot glue gun. Thank you for the tutorial.
I use them for laying out my quilt block pieces, so I don't get mixed up along the way. I also use smaller ones when I cross stitch to put my floss and such on.
I’ve started using DUCK TAPE….The pretty colors. And instead of batting I’m using diaper flannel. Just a light spray baste with adhesive then wrapping the duck tape around the edge…. SUPER EASY and no fabric needed….😎
Duct tape! Yes! And it now can be purchased in colors and designs!! I like that idea, too! I’m just blown away with being able to sew through foam core! And I think making a smaller one first to get the hang of it is a great idea!
The small design boards are for building blocks, not an entire quilt. I use them to lay my block pieces out on and keep track of my pieces for an individual block. I have a design wall for laying out an entire quilt top. Thanks for the question.
I did this same thing years ago but used cardboard from heavy shipping boxes instead of buying foam board. Like you I hated the hot glue gun method. Not only did it burn my fingers but the glue was a stringy mess.
Your bias strip needs to be the length of the perimeter of your board plus 2-3". My board was 14" square, so my strip was 58" long (14x4 = 54 + 2"= 56")
I have forgotten to change my needle and used a microtex needle before. It worked okay, but not as well and it didn't last as long. Because of the thickness and layers of materials, I would definitely suggest using a heavier duty needle. :)
Thanks for this tutorial. A great idea and easy to follow. I do not have the room in my sewing room for a large wall design board. I am going to make 4 of these and link them together for putting design streams together. Regards. Trish T
I’m so excited to make these! I have a Lori Holt design board but would like some more. Your tutorial is wonderful. Quick and concise and tips and tricks. Thank-you!
Hi!!! Lora I am so glad I came across this tutorial, because I have foam board cut and the fabric strips cut and sewed together, and was going to look for the lady here on You tube she show a method using the heat and bond with the red package. OMG 😮 How glad I am to hesitate and come across your tutorial. Thank you so so much for taking your time and explaining step by step. Beautiful finish product.
Ha!! This sounds like me so much. "I don't what it is but it's awesome!" The small design boards are for building blocks, not an entire quilt. I use them to lay my block pieces out on and keep track of my pieces for an individual block. I have a design wall for laying out an entire quilt top. Thanks for the question.
WOW!!! Never would I have thought you could sew on foam core! I just had the same problem with my design board! It was so full of threads! I bought a couple of tape rollers! I used a lot of tape, but finally got my design board clean! I need to make a few of these boards, so I will try your idea! Thanks for experimenting for the rest of us!
Very clever, would never have thought to sew through the foam core. I’m wondering if the sewn edges might easily bend or break because they’re perforated?- but I’m going to try this anyway. Actually, I’m going to re-do my glued edge boards because I love how nice the sewn edge looks. Columbia, MO! My granddaughter works at Columbia College. 😊
One of my good friends just graduated this past weekend with her masters from Columbia College! I haven't had issues with the edges bending. My sewn edge is only about 1/4"-3/8" inch in from the edge. They've held up this far. I do store them flat.
Love this! It would never have occurred to me to sew onto foam board. I need a design board and didn't like the idea of gluing (I'm dreadful with hot glue!) Thank you!
I used Aleene’s tacky glue because I don’t like getting burned either and it worked really well. But, your sewn finished edge looks so nice! I always use white leftover batting - I like the idea of fleece - not sure I’ve seen fleece this thin - did you get it at Joanne’s? Lori Holt’s are a thicker foam board - maybe 3/8” which I can’t locate anywhere - hers have a little heftier feel which I like. Anyway, I think I’m going to have to try your method- it has such a clean, pretty finish! Thanks for the tutorial.
You are very welcome! The foam board I use is from the school supply aisle. It's probably 1/4" thick. I did purchase the fleece and felt at JoAnn's. I wandered the aisles until I found what I wanted. :)
I tried this and it worked! I got my foam board from dollar tree and my flannel at hobby lobby when fabric was 40% off. I was able to make 2 nice sized boards. I didn’t put binding on it yet. I plan to do another batch of boards that are smaller for my my small blocks! Thank you for making a video on this. Saved me some $!
Yes... it's a presser foot float option that lifts the foot a little. It's designed for help with sewing through bulky items. It just relieved a little pressure that is applied to the material you're sewing.
What a wonderful idea! I would never have thought of it! Thank you! I did one like Lori Holt and it's awful looking, so I think I will try your method! Thank you!
