Warm weather is here and that means it’s time to change out the storm windows for screens. We’ve been putting it off but I think Warren finally got tired of me complaining of being too hot and decided to make time to put the screens in.
I mean, it’s bad enough to have hot flashes but then to have no way to open a window and cool off is just cruel and unusual punishment. Right?
Unfortunately, when he took this screen down it had several holes in it. He was going to just put the screen away and not replace the storm window in that window when I offered to repair the screen. The rest of the convo went something like this.
Him: You’ll repair it?
Me: Yeah, can I put hearts on it?
Him: You can put butterflies on it for all I care.
He started to explain that the RIGHT way to repair a screen was to cut a patch, fray the screen and then bend the wires on the patch to go through…
My eyes glazed over about this point and I can’t begin to tell you the rest of the process but I think it went something along the lines of this How to Repair or Replace a Screen.
I think.
Meanwhile I was all… Butterflies?
I thought I could stitch a patch on using embroidery floss but then I immediately nixed the idea for a few reasons. 1. embroidery floss would get all hung up on the frayed edges of the patch, 2. the stitches would have to be PERFECT or it would look really bad, and 3. If the embroidery floss got wet it would look like Hades.
Hmmm. I decided butterflies would be too intricate so I went back to hearts.
I ended up using pieces of metal screen that I had left from another project and Fireline fishing line (I ♥ that stuff!).
I cut a heart shape out of screen and stitched it to the screen over the holes. The Fireline worked really great because you can hardly see it and it didn’t get caught on the frayed edges… much. Also, it’s FISHING LINE. It’s meant to get wet. Unlike embroidery floss.
At some point the whole screen will need replaced but for right now we can still get some cool air.
YAY!!!
Maybe when I replace the screen I can stitch up something like this.
Only on my bedroom windows it will say, “SHHHH”!
But then the aliens will know where I’m sleeping so maybe not.
Doing a search for “stitching on screens” because I’m planning an art piece. I’ve seen the Hello many times but next to nothing from Google, however, in “Images” I can see that it’s YOU! So I know I’ll find something good. Never dreamed it would be the best idea ever for repairing a tear. I’ll be doing this on my porch and I don’t have a tear! We’ll see how the art piece goes. Hoping to staple leftover screen to an old frame, stitch a tree trunk & branches and add buttons. Using what I got! Thanks for the great post.
Hi again Vicki,
One last question. When you make your patch{love the heart idea} do you fray the edges…nip them off or just sew it on whatever is there after making your cutout. And what size nnedle doyou recommend (I am thinking you might need a darning needle…)
THANKS AGAIN…iF i AM AS SUCCESSFUL AS YOU AT THIS, i WILL MOST DEFINITELY SEND YOU PIX!
Warmly,
Sandi
Hi Sandi,
I used the needle mentioned in this post: Darice Easy Eye Beading Needle but you can use any needle that will go through the little squares. I don’t think it really matters.
No, I did not fray the edges. I cut the hearts out with scissors (don’t bend the screen or it will leave a crease) and just stitched it on as is.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to help you out with this. I love it! 🙂
Vicki
Hi Vicki,
What weight fishing line do you use and where do you buy it…I had crafted a long reply a while ago…but lost it..so have just this one question. I have several tears and holes from little one the size of a pen or pencil, to a large hole from a squirrel eating his way in, and a 4 inch gash from our grill which we store on the screen porch during the winter….
I love the idea of the hearts!
Warmly,
Sandi Martinez
If your screens are a lighter aluminum color you might want to go with the Crystal colored FireLine. It will be much harder to see both on the finished repair and while you are trying to stitch with it. Middle aged eyes know to share this info! 🙂
Let me know if you have any other questions and how your repairs go. I’d love to share a photo if you will share it.
Vicki,
I have SO many gashes and holes in my 5×5 screens on my porch, and tried patching with a piece of cut screen and glue ( recommended by the guy who fixes my door and window screens. But it looks horrible and the glue is beginning to fail. I thought of using florist wire, but thought it would look terrible. So, I googled screen repairs, and found you!
I will go buy fishing line tomorrow. What weight do you use and what size needle. I LOVE the hearts!!! Wish me luck!!
Hi Sandi,
Thanks for stopping by. I used FireLine in SMOKE 8lb. You could easily use 6lb which would be a little finer but still hold up nicely.
I saw that Martha Stewart recommended the glue but I didn’t think it would hold up well. You just confirmed my suspicion.
V
Vicki, I don’t know of anything worse than having a hot flash and not being able to cool off! lol Good for you for fixing that screen, it looks really cool. Hang in there cause this too will pass.
Hi Barbara!
Thanks for stopping by. It’s those night time hot flashes that are killers! Whew! Even with herbal supplements they can be a bear some nights. Ya know?
How fun! I think this is a great idea even if you DON’T have holes. Makes the screen a novelty and something cute to look at! Great job. Men make things so complicated don’t they?
Hi Deb,
I just KNOW I have some copper mesh around here. I looked for it to patch the screen with copper but couldn’t find it quick enough. I think that would look great too!
V