DIY Fabric Covered Bulletin Board Tutorial

Why Cover a Bulletin Board with Fabric?

Every home office has one: a cork board that does its job but rarely earns its place on the wall. Covering it in fabric is one of those small projects that pays back far more than it costs. The board suddenly reads as part of the scheme rather than an afterthought, and the fabric hides the chewed edges and faded cork that no amount of rearranging can disguise.

It is also a brilliant way to use up a remnant. A metre of upholstery cotton left over from a cushion project is usually more than enough for a board up to about 60 cm by 45 cm. Add a layer of wadding and you get a pinboard that grips drawing pins firmly and closes up behind them, so last month's shopping list does not leave a permanent reminder.

Choosing the Right Fabric

Mid-weight fabrics behave best. You want enough body to hold its shape around a corner, and enough flexibility to pull taut without rippling.

• Cotton canvas and duck — the workhorse choice. Tight weave, takes staples without fraying, holds a crisp corner.
• Linen and linen unions — a lovely natural texture, though it creases, so press well and handle corners gently.
• Upholstery-weight cotton and ticking stripes — excellent for larger boards, and stripes make lining up the pattern easy.
• Felt and wool blends — soft, sound-absorbing and very forgiving. No fraying, so no need for neat trimming.
• Oilcloth or coated cotton — the practical pick for kitchens, since a wipe with a damp cloth sorts out most marks.

Think about scale, too. A busy small print disappears behind a layer of notes, while a giant floral gets chopped in half by the pinning. Medium-scale prints, subtle geometrics and textured plains work hardest. Steer clear of stretchy jersey, which sags, and heavy velvet, which makes bulky corners.

What You Will Need

• A plain cork noticeboard, an old framed pinboard, or 12 mm MDF cut to size
• Fabric: measure the width and height, then add 20 cm to each measurement for wrapping
• Polyester wadding (optional, but recommended)
• A staple gun with 6–8 mm staples, or a heavy-duty stapler
• Fabric scissors, a tape measure and a cutting mat
• Spray adhesive or double-sided carpet tape
• Ribbon, braid or covered buttons for finishing
• D-rings and picture wire, or a length of wide ribbon for hanging

Covering the Board Step by Step

Work on a clean sheet on the floor or a large table, and allow yourself an hour. Take your time over the corners — they are what people notice.

• Prepare the board. Remove old staples and fixings, then wipe the surface. If your board has a frame, decide whether the fabric should cover it or sit within it. Covering the whole thing is usually quicker and gives a cleaner line.
• Press the fabric. Iron it on the wrong side so the grain is straight and there are no creases. This is the step most people skip, and it shows.
• Add the wadding. Cut it 5 cm smaller than the board all round, then fix it with spray adhesive or tape. This gives a softly padded finish and helps pins grip.
• Lay out and centre. Place the fabric face down, then set the board face down on top. Check that any pattern is centred and running straight before you commit to a single staple.
• Staple the long sides. Fold the fabric over the back and staple once in the centre of each long edge. Work outwards, stapling every 5 cm, pulling gently and evenly. Turn the board over halfway to check for ripples.
• Staple the short sides. Repeat the centre-out method, pulling firmly enough to keep the fabric taut without distorting the weave.
• Mitre the corners. Fold the corner fabric as though wrapping a parcel: fold the point inwards, then fold each side over into a neat diagonal. Trim the bulk, then staple through the folds. Aim for a flat triangle rather than a bulky knot.
• Trim and tidy. Cut away surplus fabric at the back, leaving about 2 cm past the staples, and press the corners lightly with a warm iron over a cloth.

Finishing Touches and Hanging

Plain fabric is beautiful, but a little detail lifts it. A criss-cross of ribbon, glued over the finished board with a covered button at each crossing, turns it into a proper display piece. Alternatively, glue a narrow braid or piping around the edge to frame the fabric, which hides any slightly uneven staple lines.

For hanging, fix two D-rings about 10 cm in from the top corners and thread picture wire between them, leaving a shallow curve. On plasterboard or rented walls, a wide ribbon loop over a single hook spreads the weight nicely.

Keeping It Looking Smart

Fabric-covered boards are surprisingly hard-wearing. Dust with a soft brush attachment rather than a cloth, which pushes dirt into the weave. For marks, dab with a barely damp cloth and a drop of mild washing-up liquid, testing a hidden corner first.

Keep the board out of direct sunlight, as strong sun fades even colourfast cottons over a summer or two. When you fancy a change, simply unpick the staples and re-cover with a fresh remnant — the wadding can stay in place for several rounds. If the fabric ever looks slack, a few extra staples along the back edge will tighten it up in minutes.