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.
Do you hate looking at this?
Presto-Chango!
Decorative screens can not only be used to hide 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.
This handy screen is not only easy yo make, but it is easy to store and move around as needed.
How to Make a Decorative Fireplace Screen Using Fabric
supplies needed:
- Cardboard pattern cutting board – you can buy these at sewing and craft stores. The fabric I used for the screen 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.
- 2 yards of fabric. If your fabric is light in color, you may want a liner fabric to hide the blue lines on the cutting board or you can apply the fabric to the brown side of the cardboard.
- Spray adhesive
- Awl
- Scissors
- Brass Fasteners
How to Make a Variation of the Fireplace Screen Using Gift Wrap
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:
- Cardboard sewing pattern cutting board
- Utility knife
- 2 rolls of gift wrap
- Spray Adhesive
- Pencil
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
Instead of applying the gift wrap to the screen in full sheets, cut it up into small pieces and use Mod Podge to overlap the pieces to cover the screen.
June Gibson says
Hi..really love this idea of the fireplace screen.. when you glue the fabric on to the board as it lays flat, is there enough give in the material so that the screen will fold. I’m not sure if you lay out the whole screen in the fabrics or if you glue in sections folding as you go. Hope that makes sense!
Diane Henkler says
Hi June –
I understand what you mean about the fabric not folding along with the cardboard screen.
When you use spray glue/adhesive, every single inch of the fabric will stick to the cardboard. To make sure it is stuck at the folds, as you attach the fabric, run your finger or the handle tip of a wooden cooking spoon down each fold or crease as you apply the fabric. If it doesn’t stick, you need to add more spray adhesive.
If you do this there will be no worry about the screen not folding up when you want it and in reverse, when you open it, the fabric will stay in the folds and creases.
Rachel McAdams says
My daughter has an ugly plastic binder. Can she cover it using mod podge and wrapping paper?
Diane Henkler says
Hi Rachel – The plastic binder can be covered with gift wrap. It would need to be quality weight gift wrap. Thin and cheaper wrapping papers will wrinkle. I also would use Martha Stewart Crafts Decoupage Multi-Surface Matte finish. It is sold at Michaels. I like it much better than Mod Podge. It is not tacky like Mod Podge can be. It comes in both Matte and glossy, but I like using the matte better. I would spray glue the paper onto the binder and then seal with a few light coats of decoupage medium.
Shayna Yarberry says
Thank you for the tutorial! A great way to keep my 1 year old from playing with the wire screen: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nishiys/6825683018/
Wendy says
Diane – I love your blog! So many great ideas! I have one question – can you use fabric on the curved screen?
Diane says
Hi Wendy-
Yes you can use fabric. I made one for my daughters room when she was little using fabric. Just follow the same directions as the gift wrap using the spray adhesive. When you cut the tabs to wrap the fabric around the back use the spray adhesive to attach them flat to the back. Smooth them out and then take some white glue mixed with a little bit of water or Mod Podge and brush it over tabs on the back of the screen. This will help keep the tabs adhered, but more importantly will keep the edges of the cut fabric from fraying. It works perfectly.
Melissa says
Your blog is so inspiring! Love the Michael’s stencil post.
I’m your newest follower. I saw you at Homework’s blog hop. Have a good day.
[email protected] says
This is a GREAT idea. We have an old gas fireplace that works really well but is ugly. I’ll have to give this a try. Thanks for the idea!
Julia says
I have your 1994 book, and I actually made a firescreen then! I used wallpaper printed with a book design, and it was so nice to be able to craft something that looked great for very little money. It lasted quite awhile, until it finally bit the dust and I was able to afford a metal firescreen. Thanks for the memories! I love reading your blog for great ideas :)
christine says
You have such a special flair and great creativity.
What I really like about the way you present a project, is that you have step-by-step directions (and pictures to go with them).
Love this new project and your last project is just pure genius.
Diane says
Thanks Christine. I have been doing DIY for a while – my dad was great at fixing things and I picked up many things from watching him. He was detailed oriented and would write everything down before he did it. My mom had an eye for style and how it should all look and be completed. I think their traits rubbed off on me. :)
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
Wow!! You did a great job. And a nice, detailed tutorial too. Love the fabric you chose!
Thanks so much for joining my Weekend Bloggy Reading party (and for linking back!). :)
Sugar says
you are one talented lady. I love the fireplace screens and the way you’ve changed the top. Also read your new sew footstool, and instead of buying a footstool and spending way too much, you’ve inspired me to make one.
L.Lane Designs says
Oh my gosh.. just this morning as I was looking at my fireplace that we NEVER use – that I hated the way it looks and I needed to do something to cover it up! :) Gotta try this one!