How to Make a Cloth Pinup Board

Cloth pinup boards are very simple creations with a multitude of uses around the home. They can be used as a notice board, a place to display photos or just as a design wall. Instead of using a functional but bland cork board, create a stylish pinup board to match the decor where you will use it.

Things You'll Need

• 3/4-inch thick insulation foam sheets
• Duct tape
• Thumbtacks
• Fabric (enough for the size board you want to make)
• Scissors
• Nails (1 1/2 to 2 inches long)
• Hammer
• Iron

Instructions

Preparation

1. Buy a single sheet of foam insulation. This comes in 24-inch by 48-inch and 48-inch by 96-inch sizes. If your foam board is too large for your fabric, use a ruler and craft knife to trim it down to the size you want.

2. Choose the fabric you want based on how the board will be used; if you are going to be covering the board with a lot of items then use something that is not overly colorful. Lay the fabric flat on your workspace. Use an iron to remove any wrinkles.

3. Lay the foam board in the center of the fabric and mark the fabric to cut, allowing for one to two inches of extra fabric on the back of the foam board.

4. Cut the fabric to the marked specifications.

Attaching the Fabric

1. Place the foam board in the center of the fabric with the board's label side facing up and the fabric face down.

2. Starting at the top edge, fold the fabric over. Place a tack in the center to start and then pin the fabric smoothly along the top edges. You are only using the pins to hold the fabric in place, so you do not need to over pin. Make sure the fabric is straight with enough wrap to cover the other edges of the board.

3. Using strips of duct tape, attach the top edge of fabric to the foam board. Press the tape firmly to the fabric and then pull slightly before pressing the tape to the board. Do not stretch the fabric when pulling as it will warp the board when it contracts.

4. Take the left corner of the folded fabric and fold it in 1 inch, toward the center of the board to reduce bunching of the fabric when you fold the sides. Use a small piece of duct tape to affix the corner down. Repeat with the right corner of the folded fabric.

5. Rotate the board 180 degrees and fold and pin the fabric on the opposite side. Peek at the front side to make sure it is flat after pinning but before taping. If it is not flat then smooth it out and re-pin.

6. Tape the bottom side and then pin and tape the other two sides. If desired, attach additional decoration, such as other fabric or ribbon, with glue or push pins.

7. Hang the board on the wall using at least 1 nail at each of the top corners, diagonally 2 inches in from the corners. Use nails on both bottom corners also, for stability if you will affix numerous items to the board. You can substitute screws for nails to affix the board to the wall.