Some people call them felt boards. Other folks say flannel board. Whatever term you use, this soft fuzzy, multi-colored, teaching aid is super fun for toddlers and preschoolers alike!
In this tutorial I want to show you how easy it is to design you own flannel board. I actually put this together in under an hour. My children even helped me with picking out the color, embellishments, and the size of the board.
You're going to be surprise at how easy this craft is... Let's get started!
In this tutorial I want to show you how easy it is to design you own flannel board. I actually put this together in under an hour. My children even helped me with picking out the color, embellishments, and the size of the board.
You're going to be surprise at how easy this craft is... Let's get started!
What are The Options?
A flannel board can be made out of anything that is sturdy enough and big enough to hold your felt story images. Seeing the images are lightweight the board itself need not be extremely heavy, but when little ones are at play, you don't want the board to cave in either. I have tried cardboard in the past. I found that it becomes worn and bent in a short amount of time. Also, I have tweaked my Ikea Board & Easel and transformed it into a DIY quick & easy felt board. The board & easel option is my favorite in the classroom setting. However, there are times when sitting on the floor during story time is particularity engaging for a few little ones (1-3). I find using a firm flannel board works the best in that setting.
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In this tutorial, I decided to try a firm canvas board. Now, artist canvas boards come in many different sizes and canvas styles, with options like: 100% cotton duck canvases grown and woven in India.
But for simplicity sake, I went with the flat panel option (more on that in a minute).
But for simplicity sake, I went with the flat panel option (more on that in a minute).
Since there is a difference in the "panel" canvas board, and the "stretch" canvas board. You may like the stretched canvas board simply for it's ease to hang on the wall, which would be a perfect place for storage.
Please make a mental note though, the panel canvas board is flat as a pancake and has no lip like the stretch canvas board.
The reason why I went with this panel type is because there wasn't a need to hang it and the length was perfect for my situation. I already had a place for storage for this flannel board. I have a long wall shelf, which is low enough for little hands to reach. Little ones can either tell a felt story at the wall or take it down for story time on the floor.
Choose whichever works best for YOU, it will be beautiful! :)
Please make a mental note though, the panel canvas board is flat as a pancake and has no lip like the stretch canvas board.
The reason why I went with this panel type is because there wasn't a need to hang it and the length was perfect for my situation. I already had a place for storage for this flannel board. I have a long wall shelf, which is low enough for little hands to reach. Little ones can either tell a felt story at the wall or take it down for story time on the floor.
Choose whichever works best for YOU, it will be beautiful! :)
By the way, I've seen picture frames as another option to hold your felt material! This way is cute too.
I've never tried it, but I have seen examples of them online.
At the end of this post, I'll have a few links to those sites that show you how-to make a picture frame felt board.
I've never tried it, but I have seen examples of them online.
At the end of this post, I'll have a few links to those sites that show you how-to make a picture frame felt board.
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Step 1: Gather the Supplies
You'll Need the Following:
1. Artist Canvas Board
2. Precut Enough Felt to Cover Front Side of Board with up to 1-1/2 inch Overlay
3. Spray Glue or Staple Gun
4. Embellishments: Bulletin Board Strip, or Ruffles or Pom Pom Trim
1. Artist Canvas Board
2. Precut Enough Felt to Cover Front Side of Board with up to 1-1/2 inch Overlay
3. Spray Glue or Staple Gun
4. Embellishments: Bulletin Board Strip, or Ruffles or Pom Pom Trim
Step 2: Iron Felt Material
Pull out the old faithful iron and run a low temp across your felt material. I did put a light spray of starch on the material and then fan dried before ironing. It didn't hurt the iron or material, if you think you want to try it.
Step 3: Get'ta Gluing
On the side you want your felt to show, spray the board with glue. Center your felt material as even as possible, leaving at least 1 to 1-1/2 inches on each side of your canvas. You'll use the excess felt to wrap around the edges of the canvas board. If you have the stretched canvas, you'll need an extra 1-1/2 inch of felt to attach to the board's lip. For the example shown, I have about an inch of felt on each side to work with.
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Step 4: Trim the Corners
We are almost done! Step 4 does not take long at all when you use extra strength spray glue. It may get messy, but the time it takes to finish the back end is remarkably quick. Here, I have trimmed each corner by simply cutting a straight line. Next, fold the excess felt material into a nice looking layer, then glue.
| You should hold it down with an object like your can of spray glue or the end of your scissors. Learn from me... don't try to use your fingers too much ~ they will get fuzzy! |  |
Step 5: Make it Your Own: Embellish
This step is where you make your board your own. For some reason, I like the colors that the Carson Dellosa Stylin' Stripes bulletin board trim has available. I'm redoing my school room and found it pleasing to the eye. So, it was natural for me to add it to my flannel board.
You can be as creative as you'd like on this part. I have seen pom pom trim, tassels and ruffles at my local craft store that would be a super cute embellishment idea. But, whatever you've picked for this step, I'm sure it's going to be just as adorable!
You can be as creative as you'd like on this part. I have seen pom pom trim, tassels and ruffles at my local craft store that would be a super cute embellishment idea. But, whatever you've picked for this step, I'm sure it's going to be just as adorable!
To attach your trim, you can use glue or a staple gun. I've used both.
