DIY: TAPESTRY FRAME PROJECT



GETTING STARTED

If your bedroom or living room could use some wall art, then this DIY tapestry frame may be just what you’re looking for! It’s also a great way to add a little modern boho touch to any space. Head to Etsy or Society6 to choose the perfect tapestry to match your taste,and then grab your Arrow PT18G pneumatic brad nailer and Arrow T50ACN electric stapler and nailer. Let’s get to work!



YOU WILL NEED

PT18G

Pneumatic Brad Nailer

T50ACN

Electric Stapler and Nailer

OTHER TOOLS

Tape measure

Miter saw

Corner clamps (we recommend Pony Jorgensen) or clamping squares

Fabric iron

Scissors

Orbital sander



MATERIALS

1" x 2" x 8" lumber (ripped down to about 1 1/2" wide)

Arrow brad nails (5/8" and 1 1/2")

Arrow staples (5/8")

Wood glue

Tapestry of your choice

Lattice wood strips

220-grit sandpaper

Wood stain

Polyurthane

Cloth rags

_{START BUILDING}



STEP 1

To make a tapestry frame, you must start with a tapestry, of course! If you can’t find one you like, you can use a fun-patterned fabric or even a shower curtain.



STEP 2

Time to create your frame structure! Start by cutting the lumber down to size. For example, our tapestry is 51″ x 60″, so we built ours to measure about 45″ x 45″. We also added some cross braces in the middle of the structure for extra support.



Keeping everything in place with corner clamps makes the whole process easier. We suggest Pony Jorgensen! If you can’t get corner clamps or clamping squares, recruit a friend to hold the wood pieces square while you glue and nail your structure together.



Just use a little bit of wood glue at the joints, then secure with 1 ½″ brad nails using the Arrow PT18G pneumatic brad nailer.

STEP 3

Next, you’ll want to get your tapestry wrinkle-free and flat. Press and smooth it out using a fabric iron.





STEP 4

To attach your tapestry to the frame structure, pull the fabric tight around the structure, then use your Arrow T50ACN electric stapler and nailer and ⅝″ staples to staple it to the back. We added staples every couple of inches and held it really tight while stapling – another time when a friend comes in handy! When pulling the fabric taut, be sure to avoid shifting or wrinkling the tapestry.



On the corners of the tapestry, take your time to get the fabric folded nicely so it lies as flat as possible. Hold tight and add several staples to the back at the corners to secure the fold. Then cut off any excess tapestry on the back with scissors.



STEP 5

You could totally stop here if you want a tapestry that looks like a canvas, but we wanted to add a wood frame to the edges! We used inexpensive, lightweight lattice wood strips to make the frame. Once the wood frame pieces are cut to size, lightly sand each piece smooth. Finish by applying wood stain and sealing with polyurethane. Let dry.



STEP 6

For the final step, cover the edges of the tapestry frame with your stained and sealed wood strips. Hold the wood strips against the edge of the tapestry structure and nail them in place using the Arrow PT18G pneumatic brad nailer with ⅝″ brad nails. For every 8″ or so, add a nail along the edge of the tapestry frame.



STEP 9

Once the framed pegboard is securely in place, it’s time to decorate! Additional pegboard hooks can be purchased from home improvement stores or online. This is the perfect time to put your own special touch on the project.

_{FINISHED PRODUCT}

And voilà! Now you have a DIY tapestry frame creation that looks like expensive art. We love the splash of color this framed tapestry adds to the wall.



Share your work with us on Facebook and Instagram by tagging @ArrowFastener or using #MadeWithArrow.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Chelsea at Making Manzanita

Making Manzanita is all about transforming your house into a home you love, one DIY at a time! Chelsea and Logan have been renovating homes since 2015, and they enjoy teaching subscribers how to renovate and DIY with confidence. Follow Chelsea at @makingmanzanita on Instagram.

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