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Here’s a Quick Way to Make a Giant Bulletin Board

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, on purchases made after following an affiliate link. See my full disclosure here.

February 27, 2013 By Jackie

I am taking my pinning offline with a giant DIY pin board for my studio.  When Sherry announced the winter edition of the Pinterest Challenge last week, I knew this was the perfect project.  It was quick, inexpensive, and big impact!

I was inspired by many, many good examples on pinterest, but the two I pinned were this one recommending the homasote and this one insipiring the nailhead detail.

Fabric Covered Bulletin Board

Fabric Covered Pin Board

To make a giant pin board you need:

  • Homasote (sound-proofing board)
  • Fabric
  • Heavy duty stapler and staples
  • Upholstery or Thumb Tacks (optional)
  • Tack Hammer or Mallet (optional)

DIY Bulletin Board Supplies

The hardest part of this whole project was finding Homasote.  I checked at Home Depot and mine does not carry any type of sound-proofing board.  They referred me to a local lumber yard.  I called them and they said they did not carry it either.  I called Lowe’s and no dice.  Finally, I called Menard’s.  It is like a Home Depot or Lowe’s, but I think they only have stores regionally in the midwest.  They had it in stock at the store in both 4 x 8 sheets and 2 x 4 sheets.

The sweet Building Materials guys at Menard’s said they don’t cut the homasote :(  I needed it cut to size for my project and to fit in my car!  Thankfully, and maybe because they were bored that day, they offered to cut it for me with a straight edge and utility knife.  I had them cut mine to 36″ x 80″.

For my fabric, I ordered this new print by Premier Prints.  Sadly, it was to yellow-orange to work in my office.  I still love the fabric and plan to use it in the playroom.  Plan B for my pin board fabric involved sifting through my fabric stash.  I found I still had one full tablecloth matching the ones I used to upholster these chairs and this bench.  I adore the print and knew I would love it on the wall in my studio.  The tablecloth I had left over was from my son’s first birthday party, so it has sentimental value, too.

Giant Fabric Carved Pin Board

To make a giant pin board follow these easy steps:

  1. Iron your fabric.
  2. Lay your fabric right side down on the floor.
  3. Lay the homasote board (cut to your desired size) on top of the fabric.  If your fabric has a directional design, stripes, or a center detail like mine, make sure to center and line up your homasote with the fabric.Fabric Covered Homasote Pin Board
  4. Staple the fabric around the board at the center of each side and end.  Make sure to pull the fabric tightly around the board when stapling.Fabric Covered Homasote Pin Board
  5. Once the center of all four sides is secure, continue to work from the center out to the edge stapling the fabric every 3-4″.Fabric Covered Homasote Pin Board
  6. To finish the corners, make folds as if you were wrapping a present.  The goal is to get them as neat and smooth as possible.  Fabric Covered Homasote Pin Board
  7. Trim any excess fabric.

Nailhead Detail

Like my inspirations, I wanted to add nailhead trim to my pin board.  I saw the rolls of faux nailhead at the fabric store, but unfortunately they weren’t long enough to go around my board, and I did not want to buy two.  Individual upholstery tacks were available in 24 count, but would have been really pricey to buy enough for the entire perimeter of my board.  Instead I opted to add a nailhead detail to the corners only.  For less than $8 I was able to add a special touch to my pin board.

I found antique brass decorative nails at Hancock Fabrics.  My instinct was to go with nickel, but I knew it would not provide a lot of contrast against my blue and white fabric.  In the end, I am so glad I went with the antique brass.  The detail stands out and looks very elegant.

To create the nailhead corner detail:

  1. Create a paper template.  I used a bowl to trace the curved cutout on the corner of my paper.  Then, I marked every half inch around the edge of my paper.  The half inch spacing makes the tacks close together, but not touching.
  2. Lay the template on the corner of the pin board.  I measured to make sure mine was 2″ in from the sides of my pin board.Nailhead trim on cork board
  3. Push in a tack every inch, or every other marking on your template, right at the edge of your paper template.  Tap them in most of the way with the tack hammer.  Do not tap them all the way in or you’ll pin down your template.Nailhead trim on cork boardpinboard7
  4. Insert the rest of the tacks inbetween the first tacks.  Tap them in most of the way.Nailhead trim on cork board
  5. Remove the paper template and tap the tacks in all the way.  I noticed my tacks poked out the back of the homasote a tiny bit, so don’t do this project on your hardwood floors.Nailhead trim on cork board
  6. Repeat on the other four corners.  You can flip your template over for the opposite corners.Nailhead trim on cork board

I am so happy I decided to just do the corners.  It is plenty of detail without being over the top.  My thumbs are thanking me, too.  They almost didn’t make it through the last corner.  The antique brass finish ties in well with the faux malachite knobs on my craft space cabinets.

Fabric Covered Bulletin Board

I have already started pinning a few things to my board.  Without any pretty pins, I resorted to simple straight pins with happy yellow heads.  I pinned up a few old magazine and catalog clippings that are inspirations for a few upcoming projects.  I also pinned up some pretty trims.  I hope seeing them will inspire me to create with them.  I also added a few of my doodles that I’d like to transform into art or fabric.  I still have a ton of pin board square footage left to fill :)

giantpinboard

Nailhead trim on cork board

My pin board is currently leaning against the wall.  Once I have my hubby’s help I plan to mount it on the wall.  If you want a leaning pin board, I recommend adding a thin backer board to the homasote to make it sturdier.

Sharing this project here:
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The Remodeled Life
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Comments

  1. Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says

    February 27, 2013 at 9:40 am

    I love how this turned out! So pretty!!

    • Jackie says

      February 27, 2013 at 9:54 am

      Thanks Gabbi!

  2. Sarah says

    February 27, 2013 at 10:11 am

    Oh this turned out GORGEOUS! I love the corner nail-head trim – it’s the perfect amount of detail.
    Sarah

    • Jackie says

      February 27, 2013 at 10:08 pm

      Thanks Sarah. I am having a hard time working in my office now…I just want to stare at my pretty board :)

  3. wendy says

    February 27, 2013 at 10:59 am

    Stunning! I love the fabric choice and its sentimental value even more. You’ve inspired me to make one to hang my necklaces from and hang it on a big empty wall in my master closet. Love it, Jackie! :)

    • Jackie says

      February 27, 2013 at 11:14 am

      Great idea Wendy. I have actually seen that on pinterest, too. Just search for homasote.

  4. Stacey @ Likes to Smile says

    February 27, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    Love the nail head detailing! Also..what is the birdcage thing that you seem to have ribbon wrapped around?

    • Jackie says

      February 27, 2013 at 2:44 pm

      Thanks Stacey. The little birdcages are just cardboard packaging the trim came on. I found them in the discount section at Micheal’s for I think $2 each. They are too cute to tuck away in a drawer.

  5. [email protected] says

    February 27, 2013 at 7:10 pm

    So darling! Great idea…I am such a visual person that I print off and tape up mood boards in all the rooms I am working on. Currently working on office so this is a great project!

  6. maureen m. says

    February 28, 2013 at 6:54 am

    Hi Jackie! It’s beautiful! Just curious…I am not familiar with homasote and was wondering what makes it a good choice for a pin board. And if it is not available in my area, any ideas for a substitute? Thanks for the lovely tutorial…I would love to make one of these!

    • Jackie says

      February 28, 2013 at 11:30 am

      Maureen,

      The homasote is like a type of pressed board made with paper and glue compressed together. Think of it as one giant sheet of paper-mâché. The pros for using it as a pin board are that it is light weight and easy to push pins into.

      Ceiling tiles are an alternative. At Home Depot that is what they suggested to me. But the largest size was only 2 x 4 feet.

      Hope that helps!

      • maureen m. says

        March 1, 2013 at 2:53 pm

        It helps a lot! Thanks :)

  7. Bee says

    March 1, 2013 at 10:18 am

    I’ve been wanting to make one of these. Thanks for the info on where you got your materials!

  8. Alicia says

    March 5, 2013 at 8:15 pm

    This is seriously gorgeous! I am thinking my oldest daughter needs one in her new tween room!

  9. Heather says

    August 23, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    This looks great. We were inspired to do one. My boyfriend just picked up the homasote and he says that it really smells! Was this the case for you? Did it go away?

    • Jackie says

      August 23, 2013 at 2:41 pm

      Heather, I don’t recall any strong smell from the homasote. I think it is just pressed paper fibers. Might want to let yours air out and off-gas in the garage for a few days before covering it.

  10. Michelle says

    October 9, 2013 at 8:47 pm

    Hi! I was wondering the price range on the Homasote?

    • Jackie says

      October 10, 2013 at 7:49 am

      Michelle, I don’t recall. It was sold as a 4 x 8 foot sheet. I believe it was about $25.

  11. Lindsey says

    December 30, 2013 at 6:25 am

    I read your blog on the regular, but somehow I missed this one! I’m so glad you included it in your yearly roundup. We have two giant maps we want to hang and pin with all the places we’ve gone, and Homasote seems like the perfect backing! I’d never heard of it until now!

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