How to Make an Outdoor Movie Screen

While thumbing through the pages of one of the many Pottery Barn catalogs that makes its way into my mailbox periodically, I came across something that caught my eye and imagination - an image of an outdoor movie screen made out bed sheets, complete with directions on how to make one of your own. What a great idea for backyard entertainment!

The directions to create Pottery Barn's version of an outdoor movie screen are quite simple:

• Sew two queen-sized sheets together on the long sides so it makes a tube
• Insert a pole through the top
• Tie one end of sturdy rope to the top pole and the other end to a tree or structure
• Put a heavier pole in the bottom to act as a weight
• Tie rope to the lower pole on one end and then to tent stakes inserted in the ground on the other end

If you already own a projector, making this simple and inexpensive movie screen for the backyard could be a lot of fun.

For anyone with a backyard lacking trees for the sheet version of the outdoor movie theater, or for those people who want to make a screen that is perhaps a little more sturdy, consider using PVC pipes as the structure to which the screen is attached.

Birthday parties

Pool parties

Family gatherings

Backyard Barbecues

Neighborhood block parties

Your own outdoor film festival

Be sure to watch the short video above for the exact size and quantity of each item needed, as well as simple step-by-step directions.

This version of an outdoor movie screen is a little more elaborate than simply tying a sheet to a couple of trees. Building the structure that the sheet or blackout cloth is attached to is as simple as putting together Tinker Toys, so don't be intimidated. The end result is well worth the trip to the hardware store!

• Drill
• Grommet punch
• Sewing machine

• PVC pipes
• PVC cement
• Eyebolts with nuts and washers
• Grommets
• Nylon rope
• Blackout cloth
• Zip ties
• Buckets
• Cement
• Anchor stakes

If you like the idea of watching movies in your own backyard, campground, or RV park, but prefer to not make a screen of your own, you may want to consider purchasing a portable outdoor movie screen.

There are basically two types of outdoor movie screens for sale:

1. Inflatable movie screens
2. Portable movie screens designed for camping

The inflatable screens cost more than the portable camping screens and are usually larger. In fact, inflatable screens are often used by cities to show their own outdoor movie festivals.

If you're looking for ways to save money watching DVDs or movies, be sure to read:

Money Saving Tips for Movie Tickets and Movie Rentals

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