Decorative Screen Practically Made For You

One of the projects in my book, Instant Decorating was a DIY decorative fireplace screen I made to accent the décor in my family room. I made it using a cardboard sewing pattern cutting board that you can buy at fabric stores.  It comes folded like a decorative screen so half the work is already done for you.   Decorative screens can not only be used to mask a dirty fireplace, but they can brighten up an empty corner, hide a pile of kid’s toys , radiators, or just about anything you need to keep in a room, but would like to hide.

I recently made an updated version of it using fabric and brass fasteners and posted it over at Momtastic.com.

Fabric Version

You can see the full tutorial by clicking on this link

http://www.momtastic.com/home-and-living/home/167869-no-sew-fabric-screen

Gift Wrap Version/Curved

Top

Here is a scanned image of the one that was in my book. As you can see it is not the best quality image, but you can see it is different from the one above as I cut the top in a decorative arch shape to resemble a fireplace screen I once had.  I have included the steps here on how I did this variation of the screen.

Supplies Needed

1.  Remove two panels from the board with a utility knife. The screen will now only be 4 panels wide.

2. Fold remaining board in half. Draw and mark pattern on two panels.  You can draw it freehand or use a large plate or platter to create the rounded edge.  Cut pattern out with utility knife. Fold the two cut panels onto uncut panels and trace outline; cut second side following pencil outline to create identical sides.  (Fig. 1)

Figure 1

3.  Lay two rolls of gift wrap pattern side down on the floor. Decide where you want the seam  – the middle fold is a good place.    Make sure you match up the patterns where you are seaming the two rolls of giftwrap together.  Place the cut board plain side down on top of gift wrap and lightly trace outline of board with pencil. Draw a second line 5-inches outside the first line and cut the gift wrap on the second line with scissors. (Fig. 2)

Figure 2

4.  Turn cut board over and apply spray adhesive onto board and let dry until tacky. Carefully center top piece of gift wrap over board. Working from center out to all sides smooth out gift wrap with your fingers to avoid creases and air bubbles. Repeat with second piece of gift wrap to cover remaining board.

5.  Cut excess gift wrap as shown to wrap around edges. Spray adhesive along back edges. When adhesive is tacky, fold over gift warp as shown in (Fig. 3) to adhere. Smooth with hands to flatten.  You can add more gift wrap to the back to create a more finished look or leave as it is.

Figure 3

Gift Wrap Variation

Instead of applying the giftwrap to the screen in full sheets, cut it up into small pieces and use Mod Podge to overlap the pieces to cover the screen.

The fabric I used for the screen on the Momtastic.com post is from JoAnn’s Fabrics – isn’t it yummy?  It is called Mesmerize Sorbet. Normally $10.99 yard, but I used a coupon and got it 40% off.

I also figured out the problem with my page – The DIY Daily. It should be working again.

I am linking to:

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Tagged as: Cardboard Sewing Pattern cutting Screen, Decorating with fabric, DIY Home Decorating Idea, Interior Desing Decorative Screen, Re-purpoing DIY Projects