Optional: Coping Saw, Glitter Glue, Fabric Paint, Mini Poms, Masking Tape, X-Acto Knife and Cutting Surface
DIRECTIONS:
To find the downloadable patterns click on the "GET PATTERNS" tab above.
This project creates a flannel playboard. The flannel shapes can be rearranged and reused.
Decide what size your playboard will be. The board shown is 30"x 40" but, a smaller 20"x 30" works well.
To make the larger 30"x 40" size play board align two 20"x 30" foam core pieces horizontally. Then, spray mount the third piece of 20"x 30" foam core on the back, centering to reinforce the seam.
Cut a large piece of white flannel, 3" larger, horizontally and vertically, than the foam core size. This will leave a 1 1/2" inch overlap for each side. Coat the front of the foam core with spray mount. Smoothly adhere the white flannel to the foam core, start from the center, working outward toward the edges and corners. Fold the remaining fabric over the edges to the back of the foam core, and spray mount in place. Miter the corners or simple overlap and adhere.
Add a large light blue organic shape to hide the seam where the two foam core pieces are joined and an additional piece of dark blue flannel to create a sky. To create large shapes, lightly mark the edges of your foam core on desired flannel with a pencil. Then, draw shapes, cut, and spray mount in place.
Print the patterns provided (to find the downloadable patterns click on the "GET PATTERNS" tab). Using scissors, cut out shapes individually. These patterns are now ready to use as templates. Trace and cut shapes from flannel.
Tracing template shapes on fabric can leave pencil or pen marks; to avoid this, cut out the templates roughly, gently adhere these patterns to flannel with painter's tape, and cut out the shapes without tracing.
Cut the dowel rod to the desired length. Then, use a generous bead of hot glue on the front and back to adhere the wood dowel to the top edge of the playboard. Add ribbon, or jute, hemp, or natural twine to hang.
JOANN HACKS:
This project can be made as a smaller banner without the foam core structure. Instead, choose a heavier fleece, or felt as your background fabric. Hot glue to the dowel rod, add twine and hang. Cut the patterns provided for the winter-themed play shapes. This version can be rolled for easy storing.
An even easier version is to simply thumb-tack the flannel background to a bulletin board. Then, cut the patterns provided for the winter-themed play shapes.
Glitter glue, fabric paint, or mini poms can be added for fun details.