How to Make a Magnetic Memo Board

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Make your own magnetic memo board! After you complete this easy, diy project you will have a customized bulletin board to match your home decor.

You may have seen various fabric covered memo board ideas floating around the web. I first ran across the idea over a year ago, and I knew I had to do it.

You may think the idea is so simple, why would you even need a detailed tutorial? Well, friends, you must understand that when it comes to household projects I am so NOT a DIYer. Give me a computer, paper crafts, or some baking ingredients, and I can create just about anything, but if you try to hand me a drill, I will likely run away screaming! This may have contributed to the fact that it took me at least six months and two attempts to finally get around to making the project, and then, embarrassingly, ANOTHER six months and three friends to get the thing hung. You think I’m kidding about the three friends? Really, I’m not! Here’s photographic evidence of my dear sister-in-law Katie who doesn’t suffer from the same drill phobia that I do and came to my rescue:

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For those of you who are like me, this tutorial is for you. I’m including all the details of what you need to do!

Gather your supplies. You will need a frame. I used one I already had, and it was a standard 24” by 36”. You will also need a piece of sheet metal the size of your frame. IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not get aluminum. It is not magnetic. Take a magnet with you to start to test the surface and make sure it is magnetic. (Ask me how I know.) I’m not sure why, but I couldn’t find this at Lowe’s, but I had better luck at Home Depot. They had the nicely cut piece of sheet metal inside this cardboard:

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    If you are using a different size frame, you may need to cut the sheet metal, or see if they can cut it for you at the hardware store. You will also need medium strength spray adhesive. This is what I used:

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You will also need the fabric you want to cover your memo board with. First, iron your fabric:

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Next, lay your fabric out on the floor, place the correct size metal sheet on top of it and cut around leaving about 4 inches of excess on all sides. This does not have to be exact. (I would leave a lot less excess if I were doing a smaller board.)

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Next, place your fabric wrong side up on a drop, in a ventilated garage or outdoors. (Your spray adhesive WILL go everywhere, similar to spray paint.)  Center the sheet metal on the fabric. At this point, if you have a geometric print like I do or any type of pattern that could look crooked, make sure you line up the sheet metal so the print is straight. I used the Chevron pattern as a guide.

Next, spray a coat of adhesive on the back of the sheet metal. A lot will also get on the fabric, and that’s okay. Tightly fold each of the sides over and rub to adhere firmly to the sheet metal. As you can see, I did not put any adhesive on the front of the sheet metal. I thought it might make the fabric cling and look strange. It’s only attached on the back. Here it is with sides attached:

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Next, spray a coat of adhesive along the top and bottom of the sheet metal and fabric. Make sure you adequately spray the corners. Fold over the fabric and rub to adhere.

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Allow the adhesive to dry for at least an hour. Now your sheet metal is all covered:

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Remove the glass from the backing and the glass from your frame. This would be pretty easy with a small frame, but it’s much easier said than done for a large frame. Be very careful. I recommend doing this step outside or in the garage, keep a shop vac handy, and use thick gloves. We ended up breaking the glass in one spot, so be very careful.

Once the glass is out, place your fabric covered sheet metal in the frame, replace the cardboard backing and secure in your frame. That’s it! Voila! It’s ready to hang. (Just don’t wait six months to hang it like I did.)

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I can’t wait to show you the curtains I made out of this same material! They’ll be hanging on the window right beside it. (Hopefully, that won’t take another six months!)

Linked up here: One Project at a Time, Knock Our Socks Off, The DIY Dreamer, Tip Me Tuesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Women Living Well

Posted Under: DIY & Crafts