Don’t Let Memories Fade: Create a Wall of Fame for Your Little MVP’s Jerseys

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Framing a cherished children’s football jersey can be a great way to preserve memories without spending a lot of money.

Jonny Small knew he had old football jerseys from the late 1980s and early 1990s somewhere in his mom’s house. “Eventually, I found them in a bag up in her attic. These pieces of old gold are priceless to me … so many memories of my childhood,” he says.

His first thought was to have them professionally framed, but he had about 10 jerseys, and that would cost a small bundle.

Instead, he measured the shirts and found an IKEA frame to frame them. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to do it yourself using affordable materials.

Materials Needed

For this DIY project, you’ll need picture frames. The IKEA RÖDALM Frame (12×16″) or any other frame that fits the jersey is a good choice. You’ll also need thick A3 card or foam boards, 1″ wide brown paper framer’s tape, a pair of scissors or a craft knife, and a pencil for marking.

Prepare the Frame

Start by removing the protective film from both sides of the picture frame’s acrylic front. Place the acrylic back into the frame as if you were framing a standard picture.

Prepare the Backing Card

Measure the inside of the frame to determine the size of the card you will need as a backing for the jersey. If using an A3 card, you may need to trim the card down to fit the frame.

Position Jersey

Insert the card inside the jersey, making sure it’s positioned where you want the jersey to display within the frame. With a pencil, lightly mark around the collar and any other areas where the card peeks out so it won’t be visible once framed.

Trim the Backing Card

Remove the card from the jersey and trim it down at the marked areas with scissors or a craft knife.

Mount the Jersey

Slip the trimmed card back inside the jersey and adjust it to the desired position. Lay the frame face down and place the jersey with the card inside it onto the acrylic, also face down. Fold the sleeves and bottom of the jersey neatly around the back of the card.

Secure Jersey

Place the back of the frame over the jersey and secure it with the frame’s fasteners. Turn the frame over and check the positioning of the jersey. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure it’s centered and looks the way you want it to.

Finishing Touches

For added stability, use the brown paper framer’s tape to tape the edges of the backing board to the frame. This will help hold everything in place.

Hang or Display Your Framed Jersey

If you’re hanging it on the wall, attach the appropriate hanging hardware to the back of the frame. Picture frames usually come with a mounting bracket, but make sure it can support the weight of the framed jersey.

Find the perfect spot on your wall, hammer in a nail, or install a picture hanger, and hang your framed jersey for everyone to admire.

Added Protection

If the jersey is particularly valuable or if you want added protection, consider using UV-protective acrylic in the frame to prevent fading from sunlight. To prevent any potential damage from tape, you could also sew the jersey to the backing card or use archival-quality photo corners to hold it in place.

For an even more professional look, consider adding a mat board around the jersey inside the frame, making sure to cut the mat to fit the dimensions of the frame and the design of the jersey.

Framed Jerseys

By following these steps, you’ll have a beautifully framed children’s football jersey that preserves those precious memories without breaking the bank. This same DIY project works for adult-sized jerseys, too. All you need to do is to get larger picture frames to fit the shirts.