How to Make Sound-Absorbing Panels

Measure and cut a section of muslin, specially purchased acoustic material or other tightly woven material to create a piece 4 feet 7 inches wide by 5 feet 7 inches tall. Iron the material if necessary; keep the iron plugged in when done.

Cut, using a circular saw, a piece of rigid fiberglass acoustical insulation to measure 2 feet wide by 4 feet high. Measure and cut a sheet of interior backboard to the same size.

Turn the cut section of cloth upside down, if there is an apparent right side of the fabric. Set the piece of fiberglass in the middle of the fabric, making sure the fabric remains smooth while placing it. Lay the backboard on top of the fiberglass, lining up both pieces.

Fold the bottom end up while facing the short end of the cloth and boards. Flip about 1 inch of the fabric under to create a double-layered edge before pinning it to the board. Run the hot iron over it momentarily to create a good crease.

Stretch the fabric taught in the center of the backboard, eliminating any slack. Be careful not to rip the fabric, but put tension on it. Staple into place. Continue stapling every couple of inches, working back and forth from the middle outwards and pulling fabric tight at each spot before securing.

Pull the top down and stretch tightly to create a smooth surface on the front of the panel, which faces down at this point. Fold the fabric edge under about an inch, then iron momentarily to create a crease, again. Staple to the backboard, pulling taught and working out from the middle like you did at the bottom.

Work one side first, creating a fold in the corner similar to wrapping a Christmas present. Lay the fabric down on the backboard, again pulling it tight and doubling over the edge into about an inch wide strip. Iron to create a crease; pull tight and staple out from the middle as you did previously.

Fold over the final side of the panel, making sure your corners are neat and stretching as firmly as possible without ripping the fabric. Flip the end inch of the fabric (or as much as you are able to while still allowing fabric to meet in the middle) and iron a crease into it. Stretch tautly as you staple; again work out from the middle to the ends.

Create more boards as desired. Attach three hinges, equally spaced along the height, with one side of the hinge secured to one board and the other side of the hinge attached to the second board. Drill and mount short screws to attach boards, taking care not to break the front of your sound-absorbing panel. Mount two, three or more panels together similarly, or mount to your wall as preferred.