No 20 Molly Patchwork Memory Board

Who says a bulletin board needs to be made of boring old cork? This project merges whimsy with function. Feel free to customize the board to your girl’s particular taste. You can use a single piece of fabric for the background or create a simple patchwork design. Play around with the ribbon to create your own personalized look. This memory board project was contributed by Marnie Ruane, MRR Design.

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FINISHED SIZE OF MEMORY BOARD image 25 by 20 in/63.5 by 50 cm

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Materials

1 20 assorted mid-weight cotton fabric scraps (each 7 by 7 in/18 by 18 cm) for randomly pieced patchwork background

OR

4 fat quarters (18 by 22 in/46 by 56 cm) of printed mid-weight cotton fabric for pieced patchwork background

OR

3/4 yd/70 cm of printed mid-weight cotton fabric (45 in/114 cm wide) for solid piece background

2 Coordinating thread

3 25-by-20-in/63.5-by-50-cm cotton batting

4 25-by-20-in/63.5-by-50-cm Homasote fiberboard (see “Resources,” page 172)

5 5 yd/4.5 m ribbon (1/2 in/12 mm wide)

6 13 decorative upholstery nails or tacks (each 3/8 in/1 cm)

7 25-by-20-in/63.5-by-50-cm sheet of paper (A heavyweight wrapping paper will work well.)

8 Picture-hanging kit (includes screw eyes, picture wire, picture hooks, and nails)

FROM THE SEWING BASKET:

FROM THE CRAFT CABINET:

Note: You can make this memory board any size. Just be sure that the background fabric measures at least 2 in/5 cm larger on all sides than the fiberboard. Adjust size of batting, paper backing, and amount of ribbon accordingly.

Cutting

FOR PIECED FABRIC BACKGROUND:

Cut 20 squares, 6.5 in/16.5 cm each.

FOR SOLID PIECE FABRIC BACKGROUND:

Cut 1 rectangle, 24 by 29 in/61 by 74 cm, and skip to step 2.

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Assemble

STEP 1: BACKGROUND

  1. A Depending on how many fabrics you choose for the background, you need to decide on how you want the squares to be pieced together. We have provided an option for the layout, using 4 different fabrics. (See illustration on page 162.) This is just an idea; feel free to play with different layout patterns. Note: To try your own layout pattern, lay all of the squares for the Background on the floor or work table in a 4-by-5 grid, moving the squares around until you’re happy with the overall layout pattern.
  2. B Once you have the layout decided, take a quick picture or draw your layout pattern on a piece of graph paper with colored pencils; that way, if the squares get moved or you lose your place when sewing, you can refer back to the layout picture or graph paper.
  3. C Beginning with the top horizontal row, sew all of the squares, right sides together, with a 1/4-in/6-mm seam allowance. Press the seam allowances to the left. Return the completed strip of squares to the layout on the work surface.
  4. D Sew the second horizontal row of squares, right sides together, with a 1/4-in/6-mm seam allowance. Press all the seam allowances to the right; return strip to layout on the work surface.
  5. E Continue the above 2 steps until you have all of the squares sewn into 5 horizontal strips, making sure that each strip has the seam allowance pressed in alternating directions (left, right, left). This will help reduce bulk and interlock each strip when they’re sewn together (see “Genevieve Patchwork Square Quilt” step 2C illustration on page 144).
  6. F Pin the first 2 strips with right sides together, carefully matching each vertical seam between every square. Sew together with a 1/4-in/6-mm seam allowance. Press seam down (toward the lower strip). Repeat, until all 5 strips are sewn together.

BACKGROUND STEP 1A Example layout design with 4 different fabrics RIBBON LAYOUT STEP 2D Place ribbon diagonally from corner to corner Then place ribbon diagonally from center point of each side COVER FIBERBOARD STEPS 2B and 2C Center fiberboard on WRONG side of background fabric Fold long edge over fiberboard and secure with staples Fold corners over diagonally, then fold over fiberboard and secure with staples

STEP 2: COVER FIBERBOARD

  1. A Place batting on board, align all edges and secure in place with staples.
  2. B Place Background fabric, wrong-side up, on a flat surface; place fiberboard, batting-side down, on top of Background fabric and center it on Background. Fold one long Background edge over the fiberboard and secure with staples. Fold the second long Background edge over the fiberboard, pull fabric slightly so it’s taut, and secure with staples. (See illustration.)
  3. C Fold top edge corners down (as you would when wrapping a present). Then fold top edge over fiberboard, pulling fabric slightly so it’s taut, and secure with staples. (See illustration.) Repeat for bottom edge.
  4. D Turn board right-side up. Attach Ribbon: Begin by placing ribbon diagonally, from corner to corner; wrap ribbon to the back of board, and staple in place. Repeat on other corners. Find the center point of the top edge and one side edge; place ribbon diagonally from each center point by wrapping ribbon to the back and stapling it in place. Repeat 3 more times so there are ribbons placed diagonally from each center point. (See illustration.)
  5. E Insert a decorative upholstery nail or tack at each of the ribbon intersections and each corner.
  6. F Turn Board wrong-side up. Using sponge brush, spread white glue evenly over back of board, coating ribbon ends and edges of fabric. Carefully place paper right-side up on the wrong side of board, aligning edges. Let dry.
  7. G Follow instructions on picture-hanging kit to attach 2 screw eyes and picture wire across back of board. Then hang up on the wall.

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