For our dinosaur party, I was looking for a new and better way to create a fabric dessert table backdrop. I usually use a pipe and drape system, or just attach fabric to Velcro on the back of my mirror, but that’s just a pain. So what I needed was to cover a board in fabric and just prop it up against my table. The problem? No board.
What I did have was a shipping box that I wasn’t going to use after all. And what I discovered is that a box is a super easy way to create a dessert table backdrop. Here’s how.
Supplies
- Cardboard shipping box, flat (mine was 18″ x 18″ x 24″)
- Stapler that opens flat
- Packing tape
- Fabric (2 yards)
- Box cutter
- Pointy scissors (optional)
- Grosgrain ribbon (optional)
Instructions
1 – You can find large shipping boxes at WalMart and office supply stores. Pick a size that is tall enough from open end to open end and that WILL BE wide enough once you split open one side.
2 – Use your box cutter to slice open one of the folded edges of your box.
3 – Lay your fabric printed side down and put your open box flat on top of it.
4 – Make sure your fabric straight. Pick any side of your fabric and staple the middle to your box. Work out from the center and staple left of the center, then right of the center, continuing back and forth until you get close to the corners.
5 – When you get to the corners, gradually fold and staple the fabric around the corner to get a flat, neat result.
6 – I added packing tape over my fabric edges just to reinforce the staples.
7 – Position your covered cardboard on your dessert table and lean it against the wall. Mine was so big that it was a little floppy. I knew I wouldn’t have anything tall to brace the backdrop in place, so I added one hole on either side of backdrop. I used grosgrain ribbon to tie the backdrop to the sconces on either side of my table.
That’s it: instant backdrop! After the party, you can remove the fabric from the cardboard, fold your box in half again for flat storage, and recover it for your next party. If you try this, I’d love to see your party photos!
Love this idea! Thanks for sharing! I was just thinking about how I was going to do one for Quinn’s party! 🙂
Can’t wait to hear about it! Love first birthdays!
Hi Jennifer:
I did a similar one but used a large board of Styrofoam and wrapped fabric around it. Its light weight and easy to transport and store away. I also found it easy to attach the fabric at the back which I used small sized pins and it easily sinks into the styrofoam and no need of staplers pins at all. The fabric is easy to bend on the edges as well.
Great idea, Candice. It’s the size of my dining room mirror that’s killing me. The styrofoam would be easier!