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Canvas Tarps: A Fun Way to Decorate the Kids College Dorms in School Colors

Posted by CanopiesAnd Tarps on Aug 19th 2015

Its no secret that the time you have left with your college-age children is quickly slipping away. Before long, theyll be away at school decorating their own dorms. So why not help them get a head start on that with our canvas tarps? Our blog is full of great ideas on how to convert canvas tarps into a wide range of interior design elements. Heres one more and its perfect for the kids dorm rooms:

Remember how important school spirit was when you went to college? Well, this canvas tarp project harkens back to those days. It involves making a bunting flag, lamp shade and matching memory wall hanging for the kids dorms. Youll need one untreated canvas tarp for each project as well as the following items:

  • Paints, Rit Dyes and Fabric Markers in School Colors
  • Sewing Machine or Needles and Thread
  • Wooden Clothes Pins
  • Wooden Dowel
  • Hot Glue and Glue Gun
  • Tape Measure or Yard Stick
  • Carpenters Square
  • Pencil
  • Plastic Buckets or Pails
  • Clothes Iron and Board
  • Inexpensive Lampshade
  • Scissors
  • Jute Twine

To make the bunting flag, trace a series of matching triangles on to the untreated, canvas tarp. Then cut them out and dye them using the schools colors. When the triangles are dry, clothes pin them to a stretch of jute twine and youre done. The kids can use the ends of the twine to hang the flag up when they get to the dorm.

The lamp shade covering is made in a similar way. Simply cut the canvas tarp up into matching strips. Dye the strips and when theyre dry, hot glue them to a cheap lamp shade in the design of your kids choosing. After the glue cures, they can add the shade to their favorite desk or floor lamp. It will look stunning next to the bunting flag and the rest of their dorm room dcor. We promise.
Finally, lets talk about the memory wall hanging. Cut the canvas tarp into a long rectangle and dye it to match the other dorm room projects we mentioned. Later, fold over the top edge of the tarp and sew a pocket for the wooden dowel. Run the wooden dowel through the pocket and attach a piece of jute twine to each edge. It will serve as a hanging loop.

Afterward, give the kids a coffee can full of fabric markers to take to college with them. Tell them to hang the wall hanging up in their respective dorms and let their friends draw on it with the fabric markers throughout the school year. And yes, the wall hangings are simple enough to make year after year. So the kids will be able to have a unique one for each year they attended college.
To learn more about decorating college dorm rooms with treated and untreated, canvas tarps, please contact us today.