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!  

• 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!  

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.

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 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