The 1x2 boards are not exactly like they used...I bought mine at an estate sale and know they are old!!! But they are more like 1/2 x 1 3/4 or 2 very hard wood and mine just have a strip of material folded double I suppose about 1 - 1 1/2" and tacked along one of the wide sides on each of the 4 boards. I think it's held in place with carpet tacks. I am going to rewrap them though, I think. My sister has my moms and they are wrapped around the whole board. But I have made measuring marks at 1 inch intervals on mine and also have the center marked. That way when I put the backing and the top on and know the center of each, I'm sure to get it square. And the backing and batting and top are held in place by strong straight pins, not thumb tacks. That's my way, anyway! LOL!