Fabric Covered Bulletin Board

Our Crafty Home series has recently ended, however the crafty home decorating fun continues. There are several projects I will like to do for the summer and I am hoping that I can get them all done. Several of the rooms in my home are in need of some personality and there are a few items I will like to update. Among these items was a very standard 36" x 24" wooden framed bulletin board that hangs in the home office. I have had this bulletin board for a long time, and it needed a facelift. I find bulletin boards very helpful, but there is no reason they have to be boring.

I started my project by lightly sanding the wooden frame, then using a brush I stained the frame with the same MINIWAX Walnut colour stain I used in the stained wicker baskets project.

I followed by measuring the inside of the frame and cutting my 100% cotton fabric with an additional 1/2" on all sides. I then pressed under the 1/2" edge. I started tacking the fabric to the bulletin board starting from one corner and I found that it was easier to work on the short side of the board and work across from there. I used a total of 48 upholstery nails or "Decorative Nails." The nails went in by hand with a little effort; however, the use of a small hammer would probably save your fingers some discomfort later.

I debated over what type of print (or none print) to use and finally settled on a quilting cotton that I had in my studio. I think it will work well with my future plans for the room.

The longest part of this project was waiting for the stain to dry. I am happy with the results and I think that it makes an otherwise boring bulletin board look more interesting. What are your thoughts on this project? What do you think is the best way to give a bulletin board some personality?

Tips: Consider the depth of your bulletin board when you purchase your decorative nails. Remember to flatten your fabric as you work and evenly space your nails or tacks. Another thing to consider is the amount of stretch the fabric you have chosen may have.