Book Instructions:

Sewing a front and back: put white sides together so they are on the inside and the images are on the outside. Sew down the middle of the printed image. If you want it more like a "binding" sew two lines, 1/8" to the left of the middle and 1/8" to the right. Sew around the edge. If you want a pocket, leave an opening on the top right half.

Optional: if you want to make it more flannel board like (our toggle books used to be made this way), you can add heavy cardboard, coroplast or something similar to the middle. Sew down the middle first. You will need two same sized section of coroplast or cardboard about 1.5" smaller than the background image. You do not have to glue it but it has a smoother surface if you do.  Then  use spray adhesive to glue coroplast to the felt. Sew around the edges. Other options is to sew around all the edges but the top. Slip cardboard or coroplast in the middle then finish sewing up the edge. 

Gluing a book with 2 or more images: Cut out your images. Arrange your layout. Stack together like a book. Turn the pages and see if you like your layout. Make any adjustments needed.  If you want to glue them together, do it now. Put a thin line of glue on the edges, press together both pieces of felt.  If you want a pocket, leave a portion open on the top when gluing. Gently poke holes and use ribbon, yarn, rings etc to bind your book.

No glue version: Cut out your images. Arrange your layout. Stack together like a book. Turn the pages and see if you like your layout. Make sure the scenes match up. Make any adjustments needed.  Gently poke holes and use ribbon, yarn, rings etc to bind your book.

 

Felt Board options:

Currently all of out backgrounds are sold unmounted, meaning they are just the image printed on felt, no backing. Our customers have used them several different ways.

 Turn the background into a felt board: 

1- gather supplies: spray adhesive, felt, backing such as coroplast or heavy cardboard, tape, scissors.

If you are using coroplast and want your board to fold in half, gently score down the middle of the coroplast. Do not cut all the way through. The scored side will be on the outside. Non scored side is where you spray the glue. 

Please note, spray adhesive works best for a smooth finish. You can use a craft glue, hot glue or other glues but you may not get a smooth finish. If you are using something other than a spray adhesive, we suggest just gluing the edges on the back and not putting glue on the front surface.

2- cut out the backing. Make sure there is at least 1" of felt around all sides. Spray one side of the backing and position in the middle of the felt, glue side down.

3- Spray a little adhesive along the edges of the back of the coroplast. Fold the felt over pinching the corners together. You can also use hot glue or similar glue on the back if it is easier and you don't want to cause overspray. Trim corners.

From this point, you can do whatever you want. Some people use packing tape to tape the edges down. Others put paper over the back to give it a clean finished look. You can also put another color of felt on the back so you have a double sided board. You can also leave it as is. 

Enjoy!

Using background on a wall: 

Some of our backgrounds come with precut tiny circles in the corners to hang on hooks. You can hang any of the backgrounds on hooks. We personally prefer to use command velcro strips or something similar. Simply stick the velcro to the wall and press your felt background onto it. You can cut the white edges off on the background images or you can leave them as is, up to you. 

Drape over an existing board:

If you already have a flannel board, depending on the size, you can drape a background over your existing flannel board and use it that way.

Use on a tabletop:

Some of our smaller backgrounds or playmats are used on a table top, the floor, couch or something similar. Simply lay on the surface.

Playmats:

Any of our books can be turned into playmats or mini backgrounds. Simply cut around the edges. Ideas: uses as file folder activity, use in centers, use as a mini background, use on a table, floor, couch, etc

Double sided playmat: cut around the edges. Put white sides together. Glue together.