How to make a macrame board

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Recently I've started to learn macramé. So far I've only tried a little..

 I haven't got very far yet, but the first thing I've found it that you need something to hold your threads firmly when you're working.  So far my girls and I have just been using a clipboard, but I had this idea a couple of weeks ago and finally got a round to making it!

This is also day 2 of my Use What You've Got challenge!

So I've only used things I already had in my craft room!

I started with a canvas picture that we've had for years. My husband's not particularly fond of it and it was just gathering dust on the top of a cupboard. So it's good to have found a use for it!

I also used some plain fabric, some jeans pockets and some buttons.

First I cut a piece of the plain fabric a little larger than the canvas.

I double turned the edges over and stitched, just to neaten them.

Next I placed the plain fabric centrally over the front of the canvas and laid out my pockets and buttons as I would like them.

Then all I had to do was stitch on the buttons..

And stitch around the pockets to secure them in place. I used the applique setting on my machine for this.

Finally, I stretched the fabric over the canvas and used my staple gun to secure it in place at the back.

And that's it!

I can keep threads in the pockets, 

some safety pins anywhere on the board, 

and in the larger pocket I have a pair of scissors and a friendship bracelet 'wheel':

I can now attach the threads I'm working on to either the buttons, or use the safety pins. The board rests nicely on my lap as I work!

Now I just need to start practising more macramé!

I have lots of ideas and tutorials on my Macrame Pinterest Board already, but I would love it if anyone could suggest any links, tutorials or projects for a beginner to try!

Do you do macramé? How do you secure your threads? Do you have a macramé board?

Jill