I can't remember where or when I first learned of this handy little tool (if "tool" is the proper word for it), but I use mine a lot.
A flannel board is nothing more than a square piece of cardboard (I made mine 16" x 16") covered with white flannel.
When cutting the pieces of fabric for a block, it's easy to place them on the flannel board in their approximate spot. The material adheres to the board with no problem and won't slip around or fall off.
When you have the whole block assembled (but not yet sewn together), you can even prop the board up vertically and move away from it to take a good look to make sure you like the placement of colors.
Then just take the board with the individual fabric pieces on it over to the sewing machine.
And piece the block right from the board.
I use my flannel board whenever I'm piecing any size block, large or small. If the blocks are small, I'll have four of them laid out and all set to go when I take the board to the sewing machine. Transportation of the blocks from cutting table to sewing machine is a snap. Plus, having the pieces on the flannel board is so much easier than working with the pieces on a slippery table top.
Yup, my flannel board is a very handy and inexpensive aid to have.
I have been wanting to make a design wall in our classroom- my teens are all in college (except 1)..so I have space. It never occurred to me to use a small one for my blocks. So glad you shared this..love it!
ReplyDeleteSimply Scaife Family - Oh, good! Glad you think it's something you could use. I'm sure you'll like it. And no great investment in money in case you don't! :o}
Deletevery clever idea, and very inexpensive. BTW all that honey looks so good.
ReplyDeleteTombstone Livestock - Thank you!
DeleteThat looks like a REALLY handy-dandy quilting doo-dad! And I now have an idea what I'm going to make my Mom for a Christmas present, thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteCR - That's what it is! A quilting doo-dad! You're welcome, Crazy Ozark Lady!
DeleteOh, I like the small board! Like the other poster I was planning on a wall board but, this would be handy as all get out! Especially if the quilt has multi design blocks. Looks like a "doo-dad" I can easily make from what I have
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Katidids - I have a BIG design wall which I wouldn't give up for anything in my quilt room (I use that a lot!), but for having blocks right next to you at the sewing machine for piecing, this little flannel board can't be beat.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
MP, I don't have a flannel board but I do have a flannel design wall. It is a few steps from my machine so it forces me to get up to get the next piece that needs sewing. That way I don't sit for too long and get cricky. Also, I just wanted to comment on your honey post. What fond memories I have of turning the borrowed centrifuge machine we used to get the honey out of my Dad's hives. Oh the smell!!! Sweetness all over the basement. Thanks for that travel back in time.
ReplyDeleteKaren L. - Fons and Porter did an article a couple of years ago on how to lose weight while quilting. They suggested putting your iron and ironing board on another floor in the house from your sewing room so you had to go up and down a flight of stairs every time you needed to press a piece!
DeleteI have memories, too, of the very first time I experienced extracting honey. It was before Papa Pea and I were married and the operation was carried out in his parents' kitchen. Having the facilities to do it in a basement would be great!
I see something beautiful in the making.I didn't get to post on all your nummy honey,Who are you married to ,Pooh? coffee and honey,that is a new one for me.Oh well to each ,his own.Now what is that red material for?
ReplyDeletejudy - Oh yes, I've never known my hubby to put sugar into his coffee . . . ever! Just honey and he's a dedicated java drinker!
DeleteI coulda bet you'd notice the red material. You're drawn to red like I'm drawn to orange!
That's nifty. I don't make quilts YET so I will store this in the old noggin for later ☺
ReplyDeleteKelly - The rest of us quilter/bloggers will have to see what we can do to get you dragged into the addictive sport of quilting!
DeleteI don't have one mounted on cardboard but I do use a piece of flannel for laying out blocks. I don't have a design wall but I'm hoping that once the drywall gets finished in the guest room/sewing room that I can have one. At least the drywall is hung, it's just not mudded or taped yet. someday...
ReplyDeleteJudy
Judy - I know you'll get your design wall . . . maybe this winter? And you'll love it. It really helps so much in the piecing of the blocks and in seeing what your quilt is actually going to look like. I spent many years with a quilt spread out on the floor and standing on a chair over it trying to get the full effect!
DeleteWhat a great tip!
ReplyDeleteStephanie - Thank you!
DeleteI do have one just like yours! I don't have space for a design wall, however I hang a flannel sheet from my closet doors and use that LOL.
ReplyDeleteErin - The old flannel sheet hanging from a door works well, too! I used to have a 4 x 8' sheet of foam insulation covered with flannel that I lugged around for the purpose!
DeleteChecking in to see if you have your woodstove cranked and the apples in... I heard you are in for a load of snow! A friend of mine sent me some photos from ND, in classic ND form, you can't see a thing in the photo except a blizzard LOL
ReplyDeleteErin - Keep your fingers crossed for us. We don't have the apples in . . . they're first on the list tomorrow morning . . . because we're not supposed to get a frost until tomorrow night. NW Minnesota is forecast to get 6-12" of snow (yikes!) but we're to get a rain/snow/possibly ice mix (oh, joy!) tomorrow and Saturday. But we are having terrific winds all day today and it seems like "something" is going to blow in! Batten down the hatches, Matey!
DeleteHmmm. I wonder what else I could use it for? Cat transport? I bet if you rubbed your cat across it a few times, the static electricity would hold that sucker like velcro. Hmmmm.
ReplyDeleteSusan - You might have something there. Cat on a platter? Kitty on a disk? I can just picture you carrying a cat into the vet's like that. Hahahahaha!
ReplyDelete