Learn how to make DIY string art for cheap with this simple, step-by-step tutorial including our free string art patterns and directions!
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This post was originally published on January 17, 2018 and has since been updated.
Today I’m going to teach you how to make some fun, DIY string art boards!
I’ve been wanting to make these for quite awhile – every time I see them in the store I think to myself “I could make that!” – and I finally got around to trying a few this weekend.
I like how they turned out so well that I’m even planning to make some 4″x4″ heart ones for my valentines this year. 🙂
To make your life easier, I’ve created 8 different string art patterns for you to download and print!
These templates are free to my newsletter subscribers, so click below to subscribe and gain access to ALL of my free printables! If you’re already a subscriber, they are readily available to you in my free printable library.
In there you’ll find a heart, a cow head silhouette, a pineapple, a mug, a leaf, a starfish, a cross and the word “gather”.
If you’d like customized nail and string art patterns in a specific image that isn’t included here, let me know and I can see about making you a custom design!
Creating a DIY string art board is a relatively easy craft that results in a beautiful piece of art.
With just a hammer, nails and some Dollar Store string, you can create a stunning addition to your décor!
Not only are they simple and affordable, but the fact that you’re making them makes them completely customizable.
You get to choose the stain of the wood, the image and the colors, so you can be sure they match your home’s décor perfectly.
Download my free printable string art patterns and give one a shot – they make great gifts too!
DIY String Art Board
with Printable String Art Templates
For a printable copy of the materials and instructions, scroll down.
MATERIALS:
1x12x4′ common board (This will make 4 art boards)
String Art Template (I did the branch)
Wood Stain (I used this one)
String (Mine is actually from Dollar Tree!)
Nails(I used 2 boxes for the branch template)
TOOLS:
Instructions for Making
a DIY String Art Board
with Free String Art Templates
I truly hope these free string art patterns and directions are helpful for you! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions at all. 🙂
STEP 1: CUT & STAIN BOARD
Since my string art templates are designed to print on standard letter sized paper, a 12″x12″ board works great.
Begin by cutting your 1x12x4′ board into four 12″ boards.
Then, stain your entire board (front, back, and all sides) and let it dry for at least 4 hours.
STEP 2: INSTALL NAILS USING STRING ART PRINTABLES
Choose one of the designs from my free string art patterns PDF and print it on basic printer paper.
Once the stain is dry, center your printed templateon the board and hammer in a nail in each of the corners of the image. This will hold your paper in place as you hammer in the rest of the nails.
Continue installing the nails (one in each dot) until all your dots are covered.
Next, tear your paper out from under the nails. You may need to used needle-nose pliers or tweezers to get some of the smaller pieces out. (My son helped me do this part. 🙂 )
STEP 3: FILL IN NAILS WITH STRING
Now comes the fun part! Begin by tying your string in a knot around one of the corner nails.
Then, keeping the string taught, lace all the way around the edge of the image. I like to wrap a full circle around every third or fourth nail to help keep the string in place.
After you’re done with the border, get creative with filling in the sections of the image!
String from one nail on one side to another nail on the opposite side until the inside is covered. I chose to do my stem first and then go back and fill in each leaf.
When you’re done lacing the string, tie off your string on a nail and then cut the end at about 1/2″ and just push it underneath some of the string to hide it.
And that’s it! Now you have a fun piece of DIY string art to display in your home or office! I placed mine on our open shelves in the dining room.
I hope you all have fun with this string art DIY project! If you decide to make one, tag me on social media so I can see it! 🙂
And don’t forget to enter your information above to sign up for our newsletter and get my 8 easy string art patterns for FREE to help you with your string art project!
What do you think? Were these free printable string art patterns and instructions as helpful as you’d expected? I sure hope so!
Here are printable instructions too:
Yield: 1 String Art Board
DIY Nail and String Art
Free printable templates and instructions for how to make string art for cheap with simple materials!
Active Time: 1 hour
Additional Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $4
Materials
- 1x12x6' Common Board
- String Art Template
- Wood Stain
- Colored String
- Small Nails
Instructions
- Cut a 1' board out of your 1x12.
- Stain the board and let dry for 4 hours.
- Print off one of my nail string art patterns and center it on the board. Hammer nails into each of the black dots on the template.
- Pull off the paper and thread string between the nails, starting with a knot on one corner and ending with a knot on the last nail.
Notes
You may need needle nose pliers to get the paper out from between sections with lots of nails.
Try painting the board for more of a modern style!
I’m thinking about making a much larger version of the “gather” sign for my dining room wall… I’m thinking if I did a white board with black string against the black wall – what are your thoughts?!
Have a wonderful day, my friends! And happy DIY’ing!
