DIY Dry Erase Cloths Using Old Fabric (Budget Friendly)

“No one is perfect, that’s why we have erasers”-Anonymous

At Southern Schoolhouse, we love finding ways to repurpose old materials, like recycling flannel to create dry erase board erasers. This eco friendly, money saving craft is loved by the kids and makes your classroom feel homey.

My mom started making these dry erasers from old fabric scraps. They’re soft, washable, reusable, and perfect for classroom use. Even better, they’re free, easy to construct and remind me of home.

First, pre-wash the flannel fabric.  Scraps from old shirts or pajama pants work great.  

Next, create a pattern.  Mom used interfacing but even paper will do.  Once you create one, you can also use this as a pattern for the next eraser. 

Double your fabric pattern so that you cut both sides at once.  If you lay the pattern on the fold you do not have to cut the fold because you can sew right through it.  

Then cut the double fabric using the pattern as a guide.  We used pinking shears to deter fraying but regular scissors would work if that is all you have.  

Once cut, keep the wrong sides together so that the pretty side of the fabric faces out.  Use a sewing machine to zigzag stitch around the edge, just in from the edge.  

In this example, we also sewed an x through the middle to keep the eraser from bunching in the wash. This is recommended but not required.

Finally, trim all loose threads. “Voila!,” an inexpensive and cute addition to your classroom.

Now check out our how-to video. It’s one of the simplest teacher hacks we’ve ever used.