Fabric Covered Memo Board

(Please note: You may already have a cork board that can be repurposed for this project, and because bulletin boards come in various sizes and shapes, materials and instructions do not recommend specific quantities. Instead, instructions are given so that you may calculate materials needed to complete this project.)

You'll Need:

• Fabric: To determine how much fabric you'll need, measure the cork portion only of the bulletin board and add 4" inches to the height and 4" to the width. Cut fabric to size.
• Ribbon: To determine how much ribbon you'll need, multiply the width x height of the bulletin board in inches. Determine yardage by dividing that number by 36". (If it seems like a lot of ribbon- it is. The small board done in the photo took 5 yards of ribbon.)
• Upholstery tacks
• Spray Adhesive

Tools Needed:

• Scissors
• Newsprint
• Painters or masking tape
• Office stapler/staples
• Straight pins
• Tape measure
• Pencil or chalk

Instructions:

1. Protect working surface with newsprint. Mask off bulletin board frame with painters tape. Spray a generous coat of spray adhesive onto cork board.
2. Center fabric on cork board and smooth fabric into place working from the center out to the edges of the frame. Pull fabric taught and press in place. Turn fabric edges under approx. 2" on all sides; press and pin in place.
3. With office stapler unfolded, staple edges of fabric approx. 1/8" from inside edge of frame. Continue stapling till fabric is secure; remove pins.
4. To determine placement for ribbon, divide the board into fourths or thirds; mark each point at edge of fabric with chalk or pencil. Begin stapling ribbon at top center of board; pull ribbon taught diagonally to the next mark (either left or right) and staple in place. Cut ribbon close to staple. Continue stapling ribbons crisscrossing them until board is completely finished.
5. Cover all staples by outlining inside edges of frame with ribbon. Secure ribbon by placing upholstery tacks where ribbons intersect. Continue placing tacks at each intersection. Remove masking tape from frame.

by Kelley R. Taylor for CreatingHomeDecor.