How to Make a Children's Room Divider

Fabric stretched over an artist's canvas frame makes a great room divider for children who are sharing space. Here's how to make one:

Materials and Tools:

premade stretcher bars of the desired dimensions
center brace 1 inch longer than the stretcher bars
two types of fabrics, both cut several inches larger than the stretcher-bar frame
staple gun
decorative trim such as ribbon or lace
rhinestones or other decorative embellishments (optional)
1½-inch hinges

Steps:

1. Wedge the center brace into the stretcher-bar frame.

2. Center the frame on the first fabric and stretch the fabric around the frame, starting at a corner. Pull fabric around the frame and staple to the back.

3. Work your way around the frame, stretching and stapling.

4. After one side is covered with fabric, turn the frame over and cover the other side. Instead of bringing the fabric all the way around the frame to staple, stop at the side and overlap the first fabric a bit.

5. Cover the edge where the two fabrics meet with decorative trim. Just glue in place. You can also adorn the fabric with rhinestones or other decorative embellishments.

6. Attach the two screens with 1½-inch hinges. Place them about 8 inches from the top and bottom of each frame.