Ribbon Boards

Supplies:

* 12 Tacks (plus extra - if they bend easily)

* 4 pieces of ribbon 20" long

* 4 pieces of ribbon 10" long

* 1 piece of plywood - 12"X16" (We used 3/8" thick- because it was cheap)

* batting to put on top of the wood

* Material to cover board around to the back

* Staple gun (faster than waiting for the glue to dry)

* Hot glue

* Hammers (to get the tacks in flat)

These boards were great for our 8-11 year old girls to make at Activity Days.  

We were able to get 24 boards out of a sheet of plywood ($12).  I cut batting to fit the top of the boards.  We used scrap material that we collected from neighborhood quilters.  The girls loved picking out their own fabric & ribbons.   Plain material works best and they can add color by varying their ribbons.  Put the material on and pull the edges to the back and staple in place.   Cut ribbon- we even used Ric-rac and I love how it looks!  Lay out ribbon and tack ($8) where the ribbon crosses each other.  Use hammers to get them in all the way.  Hot glue the ribbon ends to the back of the board.  We plan to use these for the girls to have a place to put handouts throughout the year.  

(Total cost:  $20 for 24 boards - but we had the batting, material, and ribbon donated.)

Tips: 

* Buy extra thumb tacks- we bent a TON! 

* Buy the tacks from an office supply store - the cheap ones at All-a-dollar wouldn't even go in. 

**** Test the boards - there is one side that is easier to push the pins into -  MARK IT so you can put the fabric on correctly and won't bend as many tacks. 

* If you can't find sturdy enough tacks, you can buy really thin cork board to place on top of the wood (found at office supply stores & craft stores)- I found the tacks went in a lot easier, however, it's expensive!  At each office supply store I would ask if the tacks would go into plywood.  At both stores I was told if they didn't, I could just keep the packaging and my receipt and return them.  

* Lay ribbon out before tacking so you're sure the ribbon ends will reach the back. 

* We did this as a First activity of the year -kick-off and had the parents attend - it was nice to have the extra help getting the tacks in.