A design wall is a great tool for layout, especially for color placement — being able to step back and take a long view is a big help. But once the blocks are all arranged, how do you get a complex design across the room to the sewing table without mixing up the order?

Yes, you can pick up the pieces one at a time, and arrange them — one at a time — on the sewing table. But there must be a way to transfer a section at time.

Lay a sheet of Press’n’Seal across the blocks right on the design wall, then gently peel it off — it has just enough adhesive to hold the blocks in place, but it leaves no residue. The whole assembly can be carried right to the work table.

Gentle handling is required, but it’s sure a lot faster — and more reliable — than one piece at a time. You can work with the blocks one at a time to complete assembly of background areas, retaining the whole layout on the table.

Once a large enough section is assembled, the Press’n’Seal is no longer necessary — the section(s) can be replaced on the design wall, and sewn together in order once they’re all completed.

The smaller the pieces, the better this technique works — I first stumbled on it for a table runner with 1.5″ squares. Worked like a charm!