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I mentioned to my sister over the holiday weekend that I wanted a felt letterboard for Christmas (like the one below) but the ones I found online were too expensive for my non-existent decor budget.. So I made my own!
via Pinterest
Supplies:
deep frame (hobby lobby)
.125″ wooden dowels cut to size (menards)
hot glue
felt (1/2 yard)
white letters
gilmore girls (optional)
![IMG_2074](https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5776/31309621096_7818938453.jpg)
![IMG_2076](https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5772/30523505094_bf92a5f2dd.jpg)
![IMG_2079](https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5499/31309617256_d73b1ca5e7.jpg)
![IMG_2081](https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5782/30538162283_aea4d8a150.jpg)
I started this with a completely different plan than what I have pictured here, but I bought the wrong size dowel for the way I thought I was going to do it. I also thought I’d only use half my felt, but I used every last bit. The lesson here is to be flexible when you’re creating off the cuff.
![IMG_2088](https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5471/31345841815_eeb9923884.jpg)
Start by cutting your dowels to the width of the inside of your frame. .125″ dowels are really thin so I simply scored the length and then broke it. Repeat 40-75ish times depending on the size of your frame.
![IMG_2090](https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5648/31345742285_008ef5d871.jpg)
![IMG_2091](https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5725/30523428884_e390c9946f.jpg)
Now you cut your felt to the length of the dowel and hot glue it. I wasn’t planning on wrapping each individual dowel, but that’s just how it worked out once I realized how tiny they were.
Order your letters! I got mine off amazon when they were on sale for $10. I found them other places for cheaper but the shipping cost was a deal breaker. Free shipping was worth it, but I had to wait 4 days for mine so this letterboard has been finished, waiting to be photographed for toooo long.
![IMG_2094](https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5521/31230799681_a3a3169416.jpg)
![IMG_2097](https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5821/30538157773_b9c40d51e1.jpg)
After all your dowels are wrapped in felt you can glue them into the frame. I was extra careful at the ends of mine because they are exposed in the final project, but if you’re using a different type of frame this step would be super quick. You want to make sure the dowels are snug so the letters can pop in and stay put.
![](http://thejaderstons.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_3600.jpg)
![](http://thejaderstons.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_3601.jpg)
Then you add your letters and hang it up! The space between the mirror and the letter board is reserved for something special and I can’t wait to show you! But for now it’s just a blank spot on the wall.
![](http://thejaderstons.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_3604-1.jpg)
![](http://thejaderstons.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_3605-1.jpg)
![](http://thejaderstons.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_3602-1.jpg)
![](http://thejaderstons.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_3606-1.jpg)
Oh and guess what? It cost me $40 and I could have saved more if I had bought a cheaper frame.
Is this something you think you could do on your own? I absolutely do! DIY is easy if you start small.. Plus you might end up saving a little money!
![](http://thejaderstons.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_3597-1.jpg)