How to Cover a Door With a French Memo Board

A French memo board is an eye-pleasing decoration for any door in the house. It allows for much more space to hold notes, memos and letters. If there are children in the household, the lower section of the door-turned-memo board could be their territory, while the upper section or sections can be used for an adult's multiple organizing purposes. There can be as many sections on the door as desired, depending on the intended use.

Things You'll Need

• Large sections of cardboard, square or rectangular
• 4 yards of fabric
• 4 yards of quilt batting
• 10 spools of wide ribbon
• 80 to 100 decorative (or plain) brads
• Scissors
• Staple gun
• Fabric glue
• Measuring tape or yardstick

Instructions

Create a French memo board

1. Measure the door's dimensions using a tape measure, then calculate the sections of cardboard so that, added together, they're about 1 inch smaller in each dimension. The number of memo board sections desired will determine how many pieces of cardboard will be used. For example, there could be three horizontal sections covering the door, or six square sections.

2. Measure and cut pieces of fabric that are 3 inches longer and wider than each section of cardboard.

3. Measure and cut pieces of quilt batting 2 inches longer and wider than each section of cardboard.

4. Lay the piece of fabric right-side down on a flat surface. Center the batting over it, then place the cardboard on top of it.

5. Apply fabric glue to the edges of the cardboard about 2 inches from the edge and wrap the exposed batting over the cardboard, pressing down firmly. Fold and glue the corners so they overlap but do not bunch.

6. Apply fabric glue on top of the batting and 1/2 inch onto the cardboard. Wrap the exposed fabric over tightly, pressing down firmly. Fold and glue the corners so they overlap but do not bunch.

7. Turn the padded cardboard over, fabric side up. Lay out sections of ribbon diagonally to create a diamond pattern. Cut the ribbons on each end about 3 inches longer than the size of the board.

8. Place a brad through the places where the ribbons intersect. Make sure the brad is pressed all the way through.

9. Flip the board over and fasten the brads tightly. Use fabric glue to secure the loose ends of the ribbons onto the back of the board. Flip the board back over so the fabric is facing up. The board is complete.

Cover the door

1. Hold one section of French memo board against the door, and use the staple gun to staple it to the door. A hammer and nail can be used if a staple gun is not available. Place a staple or nail next to a brad near each of the four corners of the board.

2. Staple or nail each of the memo board sections to the door, making sure they do not hang over the edges of the door.

3. Display notes, memos, mail, photos or other papers by tucking the corners beneath the sections of ribbon.

References

• Crafty Gal