In selecting or making up mission furniture for the home, a screen is
necessary sometimes to add to the appearance of a room. The screen shown
in the accompanying illustration consists of a few parts which are
easily put together. The stock can be bought of any planing mill planed,
sanded and cut to the proper lengths. The cloth, which should be of dark
color, can be purchased at a dry goods store. The following list of
material will be needed.
6 posts, 1 in. square by 65 in.
6 rails, 3/4 in. square by 18 in.
6 rails, 1/2 in. square by 18 in.
3 panels, 1/4 by 3 by 18 in.
6 yd. of cloth.
4 double-acting hinges.
2 doz. 2-1/2-in. slender screws.
Cut or plow a groove 1/4 in. wide and 1/4 in. deep in the center of one
surface on each of the 3/4-in. rails. Cut out the ends with a compass
saw. The five holes are bored with a 1-in. bit. The edges of these
panels are inserted in the grooves of the 3/4-in. rails, using plenty of
good glue.
When the glue has dried for at least 24 hours the screen frame can be
put together. Holes for the screws should be bored through the posts
where the 3/4-in. rails are joined and a screw turned into the end grain
of each rail.
Scrape off all the surplus glue and sandpaper all the parts well. When
this is done the finish can be applied. Any one of the mission stains
can be used and finished with wax and polished.
[Illustration: Detail of One Section]
The cloth is cut to length, a hem sewed on each end and one 1/2-in. rail
put through each hem. Place the top rail in position and screw it fast.
Stretch the cloth tight and fasten the lower 1/2-in. rail with screws at
the bottom. Each section of the screen is finished in the same way.
The hinges are attached about 4 in. from each end of the posts in the
same manner as hanging a door.
The sections can be made up in various ways to suit the builder. Instead
of using cloth, heavy paste-board, or board made up to take the place
of plaster on walls of dwellings, may be substituted, thus forming a
ground that will take paint and bronze decorations. A piece of this
material can be easily cut to fit the opening in each section.
[Illustration: Screen of Three Sections]