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| Select your board, background fabric,
and brads. To cover the board, you will need scissors, fabric glue or staples,
and masking tape. You will need a ruler or yardstick to position the pattern
on the board and measure the brad depth. The edges of the board should
be sanded smooth and the corners must be clean. Cut your fabric about 1
1/2" to 2" wider and longer than the board size. For example, if the board
measures 16" X 24", cut the fabric 18" X 26". This will allow sufficient
fabric for folding it over the board.
Place the wrinkle-free fabric face down on a hard, flat surface such as a table or the floor. Now place your board in the center of the fabric. Fold the fabric edge over the board and place a piece of masking tape at each corner and in the center of each side to temporarily hold the fabric in position. As you work, pull the fabric tight from one side to the other to prevent air spaces under the fabric. After checking the front for wrinkles and making sure the corner folds haven't caused puckers, glue or staple the fabric to the back of the board. Attach one side and then check to make sure that the fabric is smooth and taunt before attaching the other sides. (If you are using a velvet or velour background fabric, use gloves to avoid leaving heavy fingerprints on the surface. Extra care must be taken when placing brads in velvet and velour. This sort of background fabric is expensive and is not recommended for beginners. Place your pattern on the covered board and put masking tape on each corner to hold it in position. Using a hammer, place the brads in the marked positions.The brads will usually be 1/4" apart. At least one-quarter or one-half of the brad should remain above the surface of the board. Measure the brads as you hammer them into the board so that they will all be the same height. Remove the pattern from the covered board: gently lift the paper upward so as not to tear the pattern; pattern will have brad holes but can be used again if carefully removed. Inspect brads to make sure they are secure and in their proper positions. To thread the pattern, find the starting position, knot the thread around the brad, and follow the step-by-step directions for your project. Make sure to keep the thread taunt as you work. Tie off by knotting the thread around the last brad. Cut off the excess, leaving about 1/2" loose; coat the end with clear nail polish or fabric glue and wrap it round the brad. Select a frame that will not detract from the string design. |