As it’s all too easy to let special photographs languish away in a drawer, why not show them off in a way that complements your own style and home decor? This quick bulletin board upgrade project by Spoonflower’s Collaborations Manager Katherine Miles Jones gives those old photos a space to shine once again out in the open!  

A close up of the bulletin board’s fabric cover. The fabric design has a white background and light blue flowers and the weave of the fabric is highlighted at this distance. Two black-and-white vintage photos, one of a woman holding a baby in front of a house and one of a woman wearing a graduation cap and gown standing next to flowers have been pinned to the board with clear push pins.
Featured design: Weeds and Wildflowers – Medium – Blue by houseofspringer

Katherine: Our collections are personal, and deserve to be displayed in a way that reflect ourselves. We all have a rotation of items to showcase–photos, papers, calendars, cards–and a personalized bulletin board can elevate these small, everyday items. Working with Spoonflower’s Belgian Linen™, I created a custom no-sew bulletin board to become the backdrop to my mementos, taking them from cluttered to cohesive.  

Why Belgian Linen Is the Perfect Choice for This Project 

A close up of the bulletin board’s fabric cover. The fabric design has a white background and light blue flowers and the weave of the fabric is highlighted at this distance. Two black-and-white vintage photos, one of a woman holding a baby in front of a house and one of a woman wearing a graduation cap and gown standing next to flowers have been pinned to the board with clear push pins.

I knew Spoonflower’s Belgian Linen would be the perfect fabric choice for my no-sew bulletin board. The loose weave of the linen is well suited for push pins, as holes will not be as visible when the push pins are rearranged. Also, the texture of Belgian Linen is beyond compare! Especially against items that are likely very smooth (photos, papers, etc.), having the texture of the linen adds depth and interest. This is my favorite fabric of the many Spoonflower fabric offerings, so showcasing it on a large surface area, at eye level, simply makes me happy.  

Design Ideas For Your No-sew Bulletin Board

For this project I chose the design Weeds and Wildflowers – Medium – Blue by houseofspringer. For other design ideas, check out my No-sew Bulletin Board Collection! I was drawn to the muted blue tones, and the mix of straight lines from the stems with the freeform shapes of the flowers: edges and curves, structure and movement. This design was also the scale that I wanted when envisioning how the final product would look on the particular size bulletin board I was covering.  

Pro tip: When choosing a design for your no-sew bulletin board, do keep in mind scale and the direction of the print (if applicable). 

 

Here are some of Katherine’s design picks for this project:

P.S I Love You Gingham – Cream & Beige Small

by hufton_studio

Muted Sage Green Delicate Flowers

by riveroakstudio

American Milletgrass Brown // Medium Scale

by annettebrown

SEE MORE DESIGNS

How to Make Your No-sew Fabric Bulletin Board 

A close up of the fabric folded and wrapped around the bottom right edge of the board.

The no-sew bulletin board is a beginner project, and can be completed by anyone who can safely handle a staple gun and scissors. If you can wrap a present, you can make this!  

Skill level: Beginner 

Material list

  • 1 yard Belgian Linen (or related length to fit your board) 
  • Bulletin board (to cover with fabric) 
  • Measuring tape 
  • Fabric scissors 
  • Staple Gun 
  • Staples 

Steps to Create Your No-Sew Bulletin Board 

A close up of a fabric-covered bulletin board resting on the top of a low white bookshelf. The fabric design has a white background and light blue flowers. To the board’s bottom right are two black-and-white photos of small children, one of an infant looking straight at the camera and one of a small child in a dress taking a photo and standing in front of a dining room table, and a pair of scissors with gold handles have been pinned to the board with clear push pins. To the top left is a corner of a vintage black-and-white photo of a woman standing holding a baby next to a house. On the bookcase in front of the bulletin board is a small wooden nest with several spools of thread inside.
A close up of a fabric-covered bulletin board resting on the top of a low white bookshelf. The fabric design has a white background and light blue flowers. To the board’s bottom right are two black-and-white photos of small children and a pair of scissors with gold handles, to the board’s top right are two black-and-white photos of women. On the board’s bottom, are black-and-white photos of a woman holding a baby and a close up of a small infant. On the board’s top left is a vertical strip of four black-and-white photos of a woman and a man. On the bookcase in front of the bulletin board to the left is a small glass box, and to the right is a nest with several spools of thread inside and a white lamp.

1. Measure your bulletin board. 

Measure the width and height of your bulletin board.      

For this project, I used a 23” (58.42 cm) x 35” (88.9 cm) bulletin board.  

2. Measure and cut your fabric.

Measure your fabric by adding 10” (25.4 cm) to both your bulletin board’s length and width measurements. If your bulletin board is a different size, adjust the amount of fabric you use accordingly.

Cut out your fabric as outlined above. 

Katherine’s bulletin board measuring tips:

  • For reference, for my 23” (58.42 cm) by 35” (88.9 cm) bulletin board, I measured a piece of fabric that was 33” (83.82 cm) wide and 45” (114.3 cm) long. The extra fabric allows for 5” (12.7 cm) of excess fabric per side, more than enough to work with when it comes to pulling the fabric around the edges of the bulletin board.  
  • This project is forgiving and your measurements do not have to be exact. 

3. Align fabric and start stapling. 

Lay out your fabric on a clean, flat surface with the print side facing down. Place the bulletin board right-side down onto the center of the fabric. 

Fold the excess fabric over one edge of the bulletin board and begin to staple it to the back of the bulletin board frame. When you have completed one edge, pull the fabric taught, then fold and staple the opposite edge.  

Repeat with the remaining two edges. 

How to Start Using Your No-Sew Bulletin Board 

Now you’ve stapled your fabric to the board, it’s ready to use.  

Now that you have upgraded your bulletin board, make it work for your life! Whether displaying family photos, rotating out children’s art, or pinning up reminders, you have created a focal point that is both functional and beautiful. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I put on my bulletin board?
In short, anything that you can pin to it! This fabric-covered bulletin board can be used to share a photo collage of cherished memories and loved ones; keep track of your to-do list, need-to-find receipts, save-the-date cards; tidy sewing notions like scissors, swatches and measuring tape; as an inspiration board for current or future projects, the sky’s the limit! 
Can I use other fabrics?
Yes! Woven vs. knit fabrics will hold their shape better as the fabric is stapled taut to the board. Some fabrics will retain small holes from push pins, so be sure to test this out in a small corner of the fabric before covering the whole board with it. You can learn more about Spoonflower fabrics and their capabilities over in our Fabric Shop.
How much fabric do I need to cover my bulletin board?
That will depend on the size of your individual board. We suggest measuring your board and adding 10″ (25.4 cm) to the length and width of your board to obtain how much fabric you will need as this allows you to pull the fabric taut around the edges.

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