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How-to

Create a Folding Design Board to Organize and Plan Sewing Projects

Watch this video on how folding screens make great design boards for sewing projects.

Evamarie Gomez and Judith Neukam; Shot by Gary Junken

Many sewers like to use design boards when planning projects. These are large bulletin boards to which they attach fabrics, patterns, and buttons to see how the items work together. You may not have room in your house for one of these boards, but there’s a better way.

Folding screens make great design boards for sewing projects. They come in really handy, and you can make them any size that you want. They can go on your cutting table or stand on your floor, and when you’re not using them, you can fold them up and store them under the bed.

You’ll start with a sheet of foam core divided into four equally sized panels. Then, cut two layers of fabric 5 inches longer than the screen and 2 inches wider. With the fabric’s right sides together, sew 1/2-inch-wide seam allowances around three sides, press the seams open, and turn it right side out.

Then, determine the center and sew a line perpendicular to the long edge. Sew a line down the center of each of the two remaining sections. Cut the foam core panels, and slide each one into one of the four pockets. The pocket stitching forms the hinges and allows the panels to swing in both directions. Just hand-stitch the bottom closed, and it’s ready.


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  1. Hunny | | #1

    Brilliant, BRILLIANT! Judith Neukam, your insights and intriguing ideas are the BEST!!

  2. sewandsocreations | | #2

    I use a board system exactly like this to display my jewelry. It folds up neatly. I can put two of them in a rolling cart, carry them to a show or customer's house, unfold them to display the jewelry, and make a quick sale. I'm going to post this on my blog tomorrow: http://www.sewandso.wordpress.com

  3. User avater
    LuvThreadsMagazine | | #3

    Evmez is not the Selwyn of our time, she's the Selznick of our times!!!

    Ms. Neukam is featured in this long-needed, career boosting, short; showcasing the breadth of Judith's ingenuity, as well as the depth of her skills.

    Plenty of close-ups, no other cast members to clutter the shots, or take the focus off of this long reigning "queen of the lot" - the not-so-secret recipe for a showcase performance.

    Brilliant directorial direction can reignite a star's popularity - Evmez knows better than anyone else how to create buzz (and come to think of it, awards season isn't that far off, now is it???).

  4. user-3782511 | | #4

    At a sport crag, climbers have the unique opportunity to climb a route, clean it, then move a few yards away and set up another climb fairly quickly. Using a rope bag, usually resembling a simple duffel bag with a rope tarp inside that can be deployed quickly, or a crag bag, which is a utilitarian pack made to hold a rack of draws, shoes a rope and a few accessories, sport climbers can get gear from the car to the cliff easily.
    The Mammut Neon Gear Crag Bag is a perfect choice for sport climbers. Featuring organizational gear loops and specialized pockets for shoes and a chalk bag, as well as an integrated rope bag, the Neon Gear has everything you need to set up your favorite warm-up and then quickly jump onto the 4 star route down the wall as soon as it opens up.

  5. user-3779939 | | #5

    Many sport climbers don¡¯t wear helmets and their use is certainly optional. However, with today¡¯s ultralight helmets like the Petzl Sirocco and Black Diamond Vapor, the old complaints that helmets are too bulky, heavy or hot to wear when climbing hard appear increasingly unfounded. Helmets shield against rockfall that can occur even at sport crags, as well as protect your head if you were to end up inverted from a fall with the rope behind your leg or clip your foot on outcropping rock.
    The Black Diamond Vapor weighs just 7 ounces and features a breathable, low-profile design that ensures that you¡¯ll likely take your shirt off sooner than your helmet for that redpoint attempt.

  6. user-3779906 | | #6

    Some of the most unique and hardest sport climbing routes in the country, like those at the Red River Gorge or on the Waimea crag in at Rumney, are very steep or overhung and require aggressive, down-turned climbing shoes with a pointed toe. This style of shoe keeps your feet from cutting on overhung sections and allows you to utilize toe hooks. A good option for sport climbing is a velcro closure shoe, which makes them easy to remove while belaying or to move to a different route.
    The La Sportiva Miura VS shoes are one of the best technical climbing shoes and feature a performance fit and a down-turned shape. The Miura VS is a great do it all shoe that also works well for gym climbing or bouldering. La Sportiva also makes a women¡¯s specific version of the Miura VS.

  7. causmaxsklr | | #7

    The Black Diamond Vapor weighs just 7 ounces and features a breathable, low-profile design that ensures that you¡¯ll likely take your shirt off sooner than your helmet for that redpoint attempt.
    Many sport climbers don¡¯t wear helmets and their use is certainly optional. However, with today¡¯s ultralight helmets like the Petzl Sirocco and Black Diamond Vapor, the old complaints that helmets are too bulky, heavy or hot to wear when climbing hard appear increasingly unfounded. Helmets shield against rockfall that can occur even at sport crags, as well as protect your head if you were to end up inverted from a fall with the rope behind your leg or clip your foot on outcropping rock.

  8. ligemmlj | | #8

    At a sport crag, climbers have the unique opportunity to climb a route, clean it, then move a few yards away and set up another climb fairly quickly. Using a rope bag, usually resembling a simple duffel bag with a rope tarp inside that can be deployed quickly, or a crag bag, which is a utilitarian pack made to hold a rack of draws, shoes a rope and a few accessories, sport climbers can get gear from the car to the cliff easily.
    The Mammut Neon Gear Crag Bag is a perfect choice for sport climbers. Featuring organizational gear loops and specialized pockets for shoes and a chalk bag, as well as an integrated rope bag, the Neon Gear has everything you need to set up your favorite warm-up and then quickly jump onto the 4 star route down the wall as soon as it opens up.

  9. user-1136222 | | #9

    This is a great tip. I used this method for choosing paint to go on the walls and blinds and assessories for my flat. I stuck options on the walls to get a good overview of what goes and what gives a unique more interesting look. I've never done this for dressmaking but I can really see the benefit of adding swatches, and playing with different patterns and colours; which is a way to free up thinking and explore options. Thanks.

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