Average But Inspired

Inspiring creativity with crafts, DIY, and home decor projects.

by

How to Make Pretty Fabric Covered Clipboards

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.

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

Comments

  1. Thea Morris says

    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

      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.

    • Bre Eggert says

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

  15. mypixieblog says

    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 🙂 Thanks for sharing and hope you are having a wonderful SITS day!!

    Reply

  23. Leslie says

    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

      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!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

5 Ideas for Leftover Paint Samples

It took me several paint color selection fails to finally learn that buying paint samples before painting an entire space is definitely worth it!  I can attest to the fact that many color disasters have been avoided this way.  But with all of those little paint jars comes the after-the-fact question of what to do […]

Colorful DIY Glass Jar Lantern Craft

This summer I’m determined to make the most of my yard and patio, and I know many of you are feeling the same!  A great way to make outdoor spaces more inviting is with accessories, like outdoor pillows, pretty planters (try these DIY Modern Planters!), and ambient lighting.  Speaking of which, this DIY glass jar […]

Pretty Painted Rocking Chair – A Beautiful Baby Gift

A couple of months ago I spotted the most PERFECT little rocking chair at Goodwill.  You guys – it was $2.99.  $2.99!!!  I knew it was too small for my kids, but I snatched it up anyway because I enjoy buying things I have absolutely no need for. It sat in my basement until my […]

Modern Vintage Bathroom Makeover Plans

I just finished my DIY kitchen makeover, so it only makes sense that I would jump right in to another large makeover project.  Ha!  Truthfully, I am feeling the push to make over my kids’ bathroom because it’s also our guest bathroom . . . and we actually have guests coming to visit this summer!  […]