DIY: Wipeable Drafting Board

It’s been a while since I made any alterations to my set up in ShedQ. If you want to get more of a feel for my set up and layout you can check out the build and kitting out posts for my space here and here. But before I move onto this particular diy, I ought to mention this big expanse of blue in the picture below….as it’s kinda pertinent to the rest of this post….

Essentially this is a HUGE blackout roller blind that I put up last year and am using as a photographic backdrop. (Click here for the blind I used). Essentially the painted white walls of ShedQ were not providing enough of a contrast to get sufficient definition in some photos so I installed this to address that issue and it works pretty well for that purpose I have to say!

Because of the way a roller blind is mounted there is a decent size recess between it, and the wall. And there….is where today’s DIY is hiding! Like a hidden strategy board in a Bond villain’s lair….

So why a wipeable board? When I’m designing say, a patternless project for the magazine, I like to plan it out first. I’m quite a visual person and often need to draw things out, and figure out measurements and calculations to get the process straight in my head before I crack on with it. Consequently I get through alot of paper which is not ideal. This way, I kind of have a massive sheet of pattern paper that lasts forever and can be used over and over and over again.  It allows me to adjust/tweak/write the whole thing up as I go….full size if I want….without wasting large amounts of paper or scrabbling around on my cutting table for a notebook. I can jot a measurement down…..write a reminder…rejig the order etc. When I’m done….wipe clean and onto the next project. Basically all the benefits of an office whiteboard but the kicker…..it’s made with dressmakers squared paper! So I can draw to scale, plan pattern adjustments etc…

So…here’s how. Materials are fairly straightforward and you can make this any size you want. You can also experiment with different backing materials. As long as the front is acrylic/plexiglass type material so that it’s see through and wipeable. Mine is 1m by 60cm and the sheets for it were supplied cut to that size (they cut them to any size you specify):

100cm  x 60cm backing board (I used this opal 3mm acrylic sheet)

100cm  x 60cm clear perspex/acrylic/plexiglass (I used this clear 2mm acrylic sheet)

Dressmakers squared paper (here)

6 x Stand off wall fixings (here)

Really straightforward. Adhere your paper to the backing board, then trim with a craft knife all along the edges.

I used double sided tape either end BUT if I did this again…I might test out spray adhesive. So the paper is completely stuck down across the whole expanse of the board rather than just where there is a strip of double sided tape (if that makes sense?).

Lay the clear sheet on top. Clamp all layers together . (I  used bulldog clips because it’s what I had to hand)

The aim is to drill a hole the size of the fixing, through all layers. BUT….acrylic needs to be drilled carefully and slowly. You’ll need a drill bit with a really sharp tip like the ones on the left in the pic above. Not the brass or aluminium ones (wood and masonry). You also have  to go slow, drill a pilot hole first with the smallest size drill bit….then work your way up through the drill bits. Gradually enlarging the hole with a larger drill bit at each pass,  until it is the size you want. This, and the masking tape in the image below, will avoid slipping, cracking and chipping and the like.

Now peel back the protective film of the clear top sheet, brush away any drill dust that may have gotten inbetween the layers and insert the “male” part of your fixing. I did this at 6 points (3 along the top and 3 along the bottom) for the size of board I have. So now essentially there is an acrylic sheet sandwich with dressmakers paper in the middle…

The back part of the fixing gets fixed to the wall so the board can be screwed into place like so…

Ta dah!

There are so many variations of this concept I can think of. Obviously this one is for use in my sewing space. But I can see me making a smaller version as a wipeable shopping list in my kitchen….a maths or art board for little man in his bedroom. Or as a decorative rather than functional piece to display precious textiles, kiddo art or family photogaphs.  Also eyeing up old picture frame glass and backing board that could be repurposed using this concept.

I shall be getting through alot less paper anyhow!

 

 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post that contains affiliate links. As always, all views and ideas expressed are entirely my own.