DIY salvaged patchwork bulletin board

Handmade patchwork bulletin board, photo

Whenever I speak to my dad on the phone, he always asks, “Miss me?” This past month I’ve been getting concerned emails, so apparently some of you missed me — or at least my weekly blog posts. I’ve missed you too. I think I just needed a break. But I’m happy to say I’m back. I’ll be posting every week again. And sending long overdue responses to your emails and comments (my apologies!). This pin board project started with a friend’s broken, holey bulletin board and some free fabric samples. I just added copious amounts of hot glue and some white paint. (This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a small commission. You can read my full disclosure here.)

Broken bulletin board and fabric, photo

This patchwork bulletin board reminds me of Pottery Barn Teen’s Style Tiles (below)—which are $340. Mine only cost me about $7.

Pottery Barn Teen's Style Tiles bulletin board, photo

How to make a patchwork bulletin board

SUPPLIES
TOOLS
INSTRUCTIONS
Mark the bulletin board in 6 squares, photo

1. Measure the bulletin board, divide it into six squares, and mark with a pencil. Number each square so you know where each piece goes when you assemble it later.

Cut the bulletin board into six squares, photo

2. Protect your work surface with a self-healing mat. Using a utility knife, cut along the lines you drew. It will take several passes to cut all the way through.

Cut the fabric squares to size, photo

3. Cut your fabric pieces 2-3 inches larger than the bulletin squares. Iron each piece flat, then determine your placement. (I know. This is not how mine ended up. What can I say? Oops.)

Hot glue each fabric square on the top and bottom, photo

4. Cut out a notch at each corner, then fold over the top and bottom and hot glue them to the back of the square.

Glue down the sides, photo

5. Then glue down the left and right sides. Repeat for all six squares. Set them aside.

Paint the frame, photo

6. Reassemble the frame. I found the best way to fix a broken frame like this is to pre-drill a small hole at each corner (to keep the wood from splitting), then drive in finish nails with a hammer. Use a nail set to drive them beneath the surface, fill with wood putty, then sand smooth when dry. Protect your work surface with a drop cloth, then paint two coats of primer and 1-2 coats of paint, letting dry between coats. I painted the front and back for a more professional look.

Insert the six pieces in the frame, photo

7. When the frame is completely dry, insert the four corner pieces first, then the two middle pieces.

Measure and cut the cardboard, photo

8. Measure and cut the chipboard to cover the back of the bulletin board just inside the frame.

Hot glue the cadboard to the back, photo

9. Moving from left to right, hot glue about nine inches of the chipboard at a time and press down until the entire back of the bulletin squares are covered.

Finished bulletin board, photo

10. Turn it over, trim any loose threads, hang the pin board on the wall, then tack up whatever ephemera you choose.

Crafty Nest salvaged patchwork bulletin board Pinterest photo

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Made this project? Email your photo(s) to monica (at) craftynest (dot) com, and I’ll share your version here!

Clara's fabric-covered bulletin board, photo

Clara from The Home in Paradise re-did her daughter’s bulletin board using the traditional quilting method, which is just as effective (and perhaps easier) than my method.