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This screen could also double as a display board for photos or the kids' artwork. Look for interesting hinges and match the upholstery nails to make them a feature.
Before You Begin
Step 1: Prepare the Panels
Step 2: Attach the Batting
Step 3: Attach the Fabric
Step 4: Tidy the Edges
Step 5: Join the Panels
A screen can be any size, although for this project we've used three 3/4-in.-thick MDF panels cut to 18-in. x 72-in. Have them cut professionally by the supplier to make the job even easier. The back of each panel is painted and the fronts covered with polyester padding (cut 5-ft. x 6 1/2-ft. into three pieces) and 5-ft. x 6 1/2-ft.-wide fabric. Use 6 1/2-ft. of 5-ft.-wide fabric, heavy cotton drill or denim.
Paint the back of each panel with sealer/primer, followed by two coats of acrylic paint. Using a pale color helps reflects light and helps to brighten the space behind the screen.
Cut strips of batting slightly larger than the panels. Lay it on the unpainted face of each panel and fix with a staple gun. Trim away any excess. Tap staples flush with a hammer to reduce wear on the fabric.
Fold the edge of the fabric under by 1/2-in., lay it over the batting and staple to the narrow edge of the panel. Tension the fabric across the panel and staple the fabric to the other three edges. Fold the edges under.
Fix a strip of upholstery tape to the narrow edges of the panel to cover the fabric edges and staples. Use decorative upholstery nails at 2-in. intervals.
Lay two panels face down and align the bottom edges. Attach a pair of hinges 16-in. from the top and bottom of the panels. Turn the joined panels painted side up, butt the remaining panel against them and attach the remaining hinges.