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

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 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)

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.

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.
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.
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″.
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.  
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.
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.
4. Insert the rest of the tacks inbetween the first tacks.  Tap them in most of the way.
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.
6. Repeat on the other four corners.  You can flip your template over for the opposite corners.

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.

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 :)

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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