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How to Make Pretty Fabric Covered Clipboards

April 28, 2014 by Bre 47 Comments

Did you know that Teacher Appreciation Week is around the corner?  I don’t know how teachers do it . . . putting up with all of the craziness children throw at them on a daily basis.  Some days I can barely even handle my own children, let alone other people’s kids.  Teachers truly are special people, worthy of a week devoted to making them feel appreciated!

I always like to give teachers little gifts throughout the year, and one of my favorite teacher gifts is these DIY Fabric Covered Clipboards.  Swap out teachers’ boring, plain and uninspired clipboards for these fabulous fabric covered clipboards! This is a great Teacher Appreciation Week gift, or a gift for anyone who likes to be organized!  It's so easy to make these cute fabric covered clipboards! No sewing involved! This is a fantastic teacher gift idea, or a project for anyone who likes to be organized! #teacherappreciation #teacherappreciationweek #teachergiftideas #teachergift #clipboardideas

Seriously, how cute are these?!?
 
This project was really fun to put together and I love the end result.  If you want to make your own, keep reading!

Supplies Needed for DIY Fabric Covered Clipboards

This post contains affiliate links. To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

  • Clipboard
  • Fabric of your choice
  • Mod Podge (I used matte finish)
  • Foam brush
  • Hot glue gun & glue
  • Rotary cutter, Xacto knife, and/or sharp fabric scissors
  • Optional: fabric stabilizer (see step six below)

How to Make DIY Fabric Covered Clipboards

It’s so easy to make these clipboards!  

These fabric covered clipboards with bottom pockets are an easy DIY project and make a PERFECT gift for teachers or students!
STEP ONE
Cut your base fabric slightly larger than the size of your clipboard.
 
STEP TWO
Cut a space out of the top of the fabric to accommodate the clip portion of the clipboard.
 
STEP THREE
Apply a layer of Mod Podge all over the clipboard.
 
STEP FOUR
Place your fabric over the Mod Podged clipboard.  Smooth out any wrinkles.  Apply a layer of Mod Podge all over the top of the fabric.
 
STEP FIVE
Once the Mod Podge has completely dried, flip the clipboard over and cut the excess fabric from around the clipboard.  I used a rotary cutter and it worked very well.
 
STEP SIX
You could leave your clipboard as is, but if you want to add a pocket to the bottom of the clipboard, cut a rectangular piece of fabric 1″ taller and wider than the bottom portion of the clipboard.  Flip the fabric over and fold three sides in .5″ and iron for a crisp seam.  Hot glue those pressed in sides to the bottom of the clipboard to form a pocket.
 
Note that I applied an iron-on stabilizer to the fabric I used for my pocket, just to give it some extra strength.  I also trimmed the top portion of the pocket with pinking shears to ensure that the fabric won’t fray with time.
These fabric covered clipboards with bottom pockets are an easy DIY project and make a PERFECT gift for teachers or students!
I love how the pocket can be used to hold pens and other small accessories, and I like how the contrasting fabric gives an extra dose of personality!
These fabric covered clipboards with bottom pockets are an easy DIY project and make a PERFECT gift for teachers or students!
These fabric covered clipboards are sure to be a welcome addition to any classroom!  How will you be recognizing the teachers in your life this Teacher Appreciation Week?
 
– Bre

Filed Under: Crafts

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sonnet says

    April 30, 2014 at 6:35 am

    Bre these are SUPER CUTE!!!! Love them! I am thinking you already linked up at Link it or lump it this week, but if you have not PLEASE DO! Thanks lady πŸ™‚ http://www.sohosonnet.com/link-it-or-lump-it/link-it-or-lump-it-sunday-link-party-35/

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 30, 2014 at 1:43 pm

      Hey, Sonnet – thanks girl! I just linked up! I thought I was too late so I was going to do it next week, but I’m all good. Thanks!

  2. Leslie says

    April 30, 2014 at 2:02 am

    What a cute idea! I love how you added the pocket, too. This would be extra as a class gift if you used plain fabric and had all the kids sign it. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 30, 2014 at 1:42 pm

      Hi, Leslie – OMG that is the best idea ever!! So cute and creative. Thank you!

  3. Jenny Hills says

    April 30, 2014 at 1:58 am

    Oh, thank you for the reminder about teacher appreciation week! This is a great idea. Plus, I love anything with Mod Podge.

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 30, 2014 at 1:42 pm

      Hi, Jenny – thanks! I love Mod Podge, too! Best craft invention of all time!

  4. Kimberlee Gibson says

    April 30, 2014 at 1:35 am

    These are so cute! I love the idea of the pocket on them. I need to make one of these for myself – thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 30, 2014 at 1:41 pm

      Hi, Kimberlee – thank you!

  5. Heidi says

    April 29, 2014 at 10:00 pm

    What a super cute idea! Happy SITS day!

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 30, 2014 at 1:06 am

      Hello, Heidi – thank you very much!

  6. Rachel Lavern says

    April 29, 2014 at 9:35 pm

    Wishing you a great SITS Day!

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 30, 2014 at 1:06 am

      Hi, Rachel – thank you!

  7. Leigh Havelick says

    April 29, 2014 at 9:17 pm

    Wonderful idea and so easy! I NEED easy. Happy SITS Day!

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 30, 2014 at 1:05 am

      Hi, Leigh! Thanks so much for stopping by!

  8. Jennifer - The Deliberate Mom says

    April 29, 2014 at 8:25 pm

    What an awesome gift idea! Although I’m with Anna… I need to make one for me!

    Thanks for sharing.
    xoxo

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 30, 2014 at 1:04 am

      Hi, Jennifer – thank you so much! πŸ™‚

  9. Anna Elise says

    April 29, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    This is seriously so cute! Forget the teachers, I need one for me! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 30, 2014 at 1:02 am

      Hi, Anna – ha! I sort of want to keep the ones I made for my mom and sister . . . πŸ™‚ I feel ya!

  10. mypixieblog says

    April 29, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    Awwww, SO CUTE!! i love this idea. I don’t have kids in school (and I myself graduated a thousand years ago, LOL) BUT think this would make a great gift for teacher friends πŸ™‚ Thanks for sharing and hope you are having a wonderful SITS day!!

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 30, 2014 at 1:02 am

      Hello and thank you! You are very kind!

  11. Katherine says

    April 29, 2014 at 4:41 pm

    Happy SITS day.

    I’m terrible. I rarely get my kids’ teachers things. I have no good excuse. Especially with this cute project.

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 30, 2014 at 1:01 am

      Hi, Katherine – oh my goodness, that doesn’t make you terrible! Seriously, I didn’t even know about Teacher Appreciation Week until last week. πŸ™‚

  12. Lori Hil says

    April 29, 2014 at 3:39 pm

    Great idea and such a nice gift! Stopping by from SITS!

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 30, 2014 at 1:00 am

      Hi, Lori – thank you very much!

  13. Lana L. says

    April 29, 2014 at 3:14 pm

    This is so cute and I think even I could do it. My favorite thing is the pocket at the bottom. Happy SITS day!

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 30, 2014 at 1:00 am

      Thanks, Lana! Yes, I promise – super easy!!

  14. Chihuahua Mommy says

    April 29, 2014 at 3:09 pm

    I love all these projects (AND your blog design!)!! Can’t wait to try some out πŸ™‚ Happy SITS day!

    http://www.chihuahuaandthecity.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 30, 2014 at 12:59 am

      Hello and thank you all around! I really appreciate it. πŸ™‚

  15. The Dose of Reality says

    April 29, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    FABULOUS! What a great idea! And teachers are the BEST! Happy SITS day! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 30, 2014 at 12:59 am

      Hello and thank you! Yes, teachers are the best – I agree! Well, maybe next to bloggers. Hahaha just kidding πŸ™‚

  16. Elizabeth Lund says

    April 29, 2014 at 2:02 pm

    So fun and easy!! Thanks for a doable post!! Happy SITS!!
    http://balmtomysoul.com

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 30, 2014 at 12:58 am

      Thank you, Elizabeth!!

  17. Lewis Lane says

    April 29, 2014 at 1:22 pm

    Fantastic idea. So easy. Thanks for sharing Happy SITS Day!

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 30, 2014 at 12:58 am

      Thank you! Hope you had a great day, too!

  18. Nan @ Granny Fabulosa says

    April 29, 2014 at 12:15 pm

    These are great! And so easy! Thanks for sharing such a good idea.

    Reply
  19. Meg C says

    April 29, 2014 at 12:14 pm

    So cute, and so handy! Awesome idea. πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 29, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      Hi, Meg – thank you!! Have a good one. πŸ™‚

  20. Erica Buteau says

    April 29, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    How cute are these? I teach College students- I love my kids but there’s no way I could do what these teachers do every day! Happy SITS day to you!

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 29, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      Hi, Erica – thank you! Oh my – I’m sure college students present an entirely different set of challenges. Anybody who teaches is amazing, in my opinion! Have a good day.

  21. Jenna Brussee says

    April 29, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    What a cute idea! I love it. Happy SITS Day!

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 29, 2014 at 1:13 pm

      Hi, Jenna – thank you!!

  22. Nan @ Granny Fabulosa says

    April 29, 2014 at 12:06 pm

    These are really great! I am definitely going to try this.

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 29, 2014 at 1:13 pm

      Hi, Nan – thank you! It is super easy! I hope you have fun with it!

  23. Mommie Daze says

    April 29, 2014 at 11:57 am

    Cute and what a great idea for a teacher gift. It’s so hard to think of things they can actually use.

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 29, 2014 at 1:13 pm

      Hello and thank you!

  24. Thea Morris says

    April 29, 2014 at 2:13 am

    Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I am a former teacher and I so appreciate your wonderful words and respect for teachers. I also love this gift. If someone had made it for me I would have loved it as a teacher and made all kinds of use of it. Thank you again! Pinning!

    Reply
    • Bre Eggert says

      April 29, 2014 at 1:12 pm

      Hi, Thea – THANK YOU! I really appreciate your sweet words and that you’re pinning this project. Thanks again!

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