DIY Letter Boards

Trendy vintage letter board signs you can customize and create for yourself!

I think it's the sleek, simple lines, customizable phrases or simple nostalgia, but Letter Boards are making a come back – in a big way! These babies can be pricy!

After thinking about it for a bit and doing some research, I figured out a way to make my own. The fun thing about making your own, is you can mix and match your colors to your heart's content. No more boring black!

(I happen to really like boring black)

Since this was my first one, I decided to start small and went with an 8×10 that will fit anywhere.

Supplies (For 8×10):

8” x 10” Metal Frame (Interior depth of at least ¾” with spring-loaded backing clips) – purchase almost anywhere

10” x 24” Felt – purchase from the fabric department (any color)

9 – 3/16” x 36” square dowels (purchased on Amazon, available many places)

Plastic Letter Board Letters (Amazon)

Also Used: Pencil, Eraser, scissors, ruler, gift card, liquid or hot glue, mitre saw or hand saw and spray paint, if you want to change the color of the letters.

Instructions:

(Measurements are for 8×10 and the frame I purchased. Remember you can make your project any size)

Cut the following from 3/16” dowels:

* 2 – 9 ¾” pieces (1 dowel)

* 32 – 7 ¾” pieces (8 dowels)

Tip: 8 slats, spaced 1/8” apart covers approximately 2 ½”.

Lay two 9 ¾” pieces vertically and glue two 7 ¾” pieces on the top and bottom to create base.

Allow glue to dry.

Run a little glue along the back as well.

Begin gluing the remaining slats in place, keeping slats spaces 1/8” apart (use a spacer, if possible).

Tip: After you have placed a few dowels, stop and make sure the plastic letters fit. There should be room for the felt.

Using a gift card or thin ruler, begin tucking the felt into the holes between the slats. Hold down the felt on the slats you’ve already tucked in so you don’t pull out the felt while tucking in the next slats.

This might be the trickiest part.

Tip: I ran a light bead of glue along the top of the slats, tucked a few and allowed them to dry before proceeding.

Cut excess felt, leaving approximately 1” on all four sides.

Tip: Use approximately 5/8” of felt per slat and add a couple of inches.