Pinned it, tried it: Projection Screen

I'm always checking out pins about fun things to do in the summer.  One of the suggestions that always popped up, was to have an outdoor movie night at home!  My husband has a projector that he used for his side business so all we needed was a screen. If you don't have a projector I found this pin on how to make on from your phone.  There are all kinds of ideas about how and where to set up a projection screen.  You can buy them or make them.  We had recently covered and screened our deck and I thought it would be fun to have movie nights out there.  

I did all kinds of research here and here and decided to make one ourselves to hang up on the porch.  

Materials

Fabric

Stitch Witchery (heavy duty)

Iron

Hole punch

Grommets and punch

Springs

Hooks

 You could probably buy a flat sheet from walmart but I had it my head that I wanted something durable and gray.  Why gray and not white?  I read here how if you can't control the lighting a gray fabric will help provide more contrast.  I scoured Joann fabrics and found gray ironing board material for $9.99/yd that was 50% off.  Bought 3 yds and the stitch Witchery and used a 40% off coupon.  I bought a couple other things not related and the total was under $25.  Not bad.  

1st: How big does your screen need to be?  This website had great information on how to figure out your sizes.  I based mine off of it and added an extra 2" just to be on the safe side and then added another 1 1/2" for seams.  The good thing about a projector is you can usually move it to adjust the sizes.  

2nd: Hem all four sides for a clean look.  Before I tried the stitch Witchery, I actually tried out duct tape on scrap because some of the websites suggested that for edges.  I'm so glad I tried it first because I could never fold it without it bunching up and making goofy creases.  Also, if you mess up, too bad because it's permanent.  So, I folded my seams and followed the directions with the stitch Witchary.  It was my first time ever using it and I had to play around with it a few times before I could get it to work.  I don't know if this was because of the kind of fabric I used, but I had to hold the iron on it for 20 seconds instead of the recommended 10.  I think because my fabric is specifically made for ironing boards it fortunately didn't burn the fabric.  Also, the stich Witchery is pretty forgiving,  if needed I could pull the seam apart and redo it if it shifted without ruining it.

 

3rd: Punch holes in fabric using a paper hole punch.  I did mine on the hems to keep them sturdy.  Then add the grommets and hook the springs through them..If a hole punch does not work for you, consider folding the corners down on the screen to creat a loop that will hold a rope.  You may want to use thread to make these because the stitch Witchery can come apart under weight.  

(Hole punch through the hem)

(Found this handy grommet punch at Walmart for $2.  Just use a hammer to punch the grommet.)

(The springs make it easy to remove the screen when we are not using it)

4th:  Measure out your placement for the hooks on your wall.  My hubby helped me out by holding up the fabric and adding the length for the springs to make sure they would keep the fabric taut once hanging.  We added hooks for the bottom as well, but you can skip it if you don't mind the screen a little loose.

Having this screened porch is still very new to us and we are really enjoying it.  I know we are really going to enjoy watching movies out here. How awesome will it be to snuggle under a blanket and drink hot chocolate in the Fall watching a movie?  

(Don't mind the tent)