Folding Screen This delicate folding screen will add exotic Asian flavor to any curio cabinet, bookshelf, or buffet table. Display it as a stand-alone piece or a simple, yet eye-catching backdrop for crystal, figurines, or simple flower arrangement! The frame is made of bamboo, which can be found in the floral department of any craft store. The finished screen is 38 inches wide by 18 inches high. Supplies needed: ** 1 yard fabric (a thin twill or linen works well) ** Sticky-back, tear-away stabilizer ** 21 1/2 feet of 1/2 inch wide bamboo stick ** Leather jewelry cord ** Small hand saw ** 1/8 inch eyelets ** Eyelet tool ** 6 small metal hinges (or you can use cord or yarn) ** Hot glue ** Self-healing pad ** Craft knife ** Air-erase pen ** Small hammer ** Beads Designs Used: ** Blue Willow Border (Med) ** Blue Willow Doves ** Blue Willow Tree & Bridge (Sm) ** Blue Willow Palace (Sm) file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/Nicole.EMBLIBRARY/Desktop/pr1320.html (1 of 14)2/20/2007 8:28:14 AM
The folding screen is made from two narrow fabric panels for the ends, and two wider fabric panels for the middle panels. We chose a twill for our panel fabric. Measure and mark two 8 x 15 inch rectangles for the small panels, and two 11 X 15 inch rectangles for the large panels. Mark the center of each rectangle by measuring each side of each rectangle and dividing by two. Draw horizontal and vertical lines connecting the marks -- these lines will be used for hooping. Print full-size paper templates of the designs. Trim around the templates for easy placement. Poke a hole in the center of each template, and mark the center points onto the fabric in each of the rectangles. The center points will be used for aligning the needle later. file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/Nicole.EMBLIBRARY/Desktop/pr1320.html (2 of 14)2/20/2007 8:28:14 AM
Cut a piece of sticky-back stabilizer a bit larger than your hoop, and smooth the fabric on top. Hoop the fabric and stabilizer by aligning the marks on the hoop with the lines on the fabric. Attach the hoop to the machine, load the design, align the needle directly over the center point, and embroider the design. Repeat the stabilizing, hooping, and embroidering process for each panel. file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/Nicole.EMBLIBRARY/Desktop/pr1320.html (3 of 14)2/20/2007 8:28:14 AM
When the panels have been embroidered, carefully remove the excess stabilizer, and cut out the shapes from the fabric. Cut two more 8 x 15 inch rectangles and two more 11 x 15 inch rectangles for the backs of the panels. Align the back pieces with the embroidered front pieces, right sides together. Pin in place. file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/Nicole.EMBLIBRARY/Desktop/pr1320.html (4 of 14)2/20/2007 8:28:14 AM
Sew a 1/2 inch seam along the right and left edges only leave the top and bottom edges open. Do this for each panel. Turn each panel right side out and press the seams. file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/Nicole.EMBLIBRARY/Desktop/pr1320.html (5 of 14)2/20/2007 8:28:14 AM
Fabric "pockets on the top and the bottom will hold the bamboo sticks. With the panels wrong side up, measure and mark 3 inches from each of the corners on the seamed sides. Fold the top and bottom edges over 1/2 inch and fold again up to the 3 inch mark. Pin in place. file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/Nicole.EMBLIBRARY/Desktop/pr1320.html (6 of 14)2/20/2007 8:28:14 AM
Sew a seam 1/8 inch away from the inner fold. Do this on each end. An eyelet at the top of each panel is used to attach the beads. Measure the top of each panel and divide by two to find the center. Mark about 1/4 inch down from the top pocket seam. file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/Nicole.EMBLIBRARY/Desktop/pr1320.html (7 of 14)2/20/2007 8:28:14 AM
Using a self-healing pad, and a craft knife, cut a small "X" on each mark. Insert the eyelet into the "X", turn the panel over and use the eyelet tool and hammer to tap the eyelet in place. In total, 20 bamboo sticks will make up the frame of the screen. Cut eight 18-inch pieces, six 11-inch pieces and six 8-inch pieces. Using a hand saw, cut the bamboo. To prevent splintering, use slow, smooth sawing motions. file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/Nicole.EMBLIBRARY/Desktop/pr1320.html (8 of 14)2/20/2007 8:28:14 AM
Take four of the 11-inch pieces and insert one stick into each pocket of the two large panels. Take four of the 8-inch pieces and insert one stick into each pocket of the small panels. Lay two 18-inch pieces on either side of each of the four panels. Measure 2 1/2 inches up from the bottom of each 18 inch side piece. Add hot glue to each side piece, and glue the bottom bamboo piece in place. file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/Nicole.EMBLIBRARY/Desktop/pr1320.html (9 of 14)2/20/2007 8:28:14 AM
Pull the panel taut. Then glue the top bamboo piece in place. Add hot glue to the top ends of the side bamboo pieces. Add the remaining two 11-inch pieces to the large panels and the remaining two 8-inch pieces to the small panels. file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/Nicole.EMBLIBRARY/Desktop/pr1320.html (10 of 14)2/20/2007 8:28:14 AM
Carefully trim the ends of the bamboo from the sides of the panels. Doing this will allow the panels to hinge together more smoothly. Tie the frame corners with leather jewelry cord for reinforcement. file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/Nicole.EMBLIBRARY/Desktop/pr1320.html (11 of 14)2/20/2007 8:28:14 AM
Thread leather cording from the front of the panel through the eyelet to the back. Then, thread the cord through a bead and tie a knot at the end to hold the bead in place on the back side. Pull the cord taut. Add the beads to the front side, and tie and knot the other end of the cord onto the top bamboo piece. Repeat the thread and beading process for each of the four panels. file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/Nicole.EMBLIBRARY/Desktop/pr1320.html (12 of 14)2/20/2007 8:28:14 AM
We added metal hinges. You may also use leather cord, yarn, or string to tie the panels together. To bring the panels together using hinges, lay one of the large panels flat and hot glue the hinges to the inside of the bamboo pieces. Stand the first panel upright and align the second large panel next to it. Hot glue the other sides of the hinges to the second panel. Add the hinges and small panels to the center panels as you did the large panels. file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/Nicole.EMBLIBRARY/Desktop/pr1320.html (13 of 14)2/20/2007 8:28:14 AM
And there you have it! A unique addition to home decor or an elegant hand-made gift. Click here for a printable version of these project instructions. You ll need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. If you don't have it, you can download a free copy by clicking on the icon below. file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/Nicole.EMBLIBRARY/Desktop/pr1320.html (14 of 14)2/20/2007 8:28:14 AM