How to Make a Lace-On Fabric Privacy Fence

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Lace-on fabric panels are a great way to add much-needed privacy and also cut down on wind passing through an open fence system. In this video tutorial, we're adding fabric fence panels to a wire railing fence, but this DIY project can work for a chainlink fence as well. The panels are secured tightly to the fence posts with leech line laced through grommets along the sides of the panels. Let's get started with this simple yet highly useful DIY project.

Video Chapters:

Intro — 0:00 min.
Measuring & Cutting Mesh Fabric — 0:40 min.
Basting Double Hems with Mitered Corners — 2:07 min.
Corner Cut Away (Situational/Optional) — 8:31 min.
Sewing Hems in Place — 11:06 min.
Installing Spur Grommets for Lacing — 13:21 min.
Installing Snap Tabs (Optional) — 15:07 min.
Lacing Fabric Fence Panels — 18:10 min.
Materials & Tools List — 28:10 min.

Materials List:

Phifertex^® Standard Vinyl Mesh White 54" Fabric — SKU: 393111
Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery (36 yds.) — SKU: 122065
Tex 90 UV Polyester Thread from Sailrite^®
#1 Spur Grommet 5/16" (Nickel-Plated Brass) — SKU: 26315
1" White Polyester Webbing — SKU: PLLWWH
Sailrite^® Snap Fastener Cloth-to-Cloth Set (Nickel-Plated Brass) — SKU: 666001
Leech Line Dacron^® 1/8" White — SKU: 21209

Tools List:

Scribe-All^® Black Marking Pencil for Vinyl — SKU: 121977
Gingher^® 8" Leather Scissors Right Handed — SKU: 123749
Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" — SKU: 102400
Small Fabric/Leather Clips (50 pack) — SKU: 123121
Sailrite^® Ultrafeed^® LSZ Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V) — SKU: 311602
Sailrite^® Ultrafeed^® Industrial Sewing Table — SKU: 120934
Magnetic Sewing Guide — SKU: 102983
Sailrite^® Drill Hole Cutter Set — SKU: 121825
#1 Spur Grommet Die Set 5/16" — SKU: 18202
Barry King Mallet Hammer Style 3# — SKU: 68563
Sailrite^® Edge Cordless Hotknife 18V Package — SKU: 122177
Sailrite^® Tempered Cutting Glass — SKU: 121915
Pres-N-Snap Installation Tool — SKU: 109011
Drill, Zip Ties

DIY Fabric Privacy Fence 2 — Here's a look at the mesh privacy fence we installed at this lake house.

The key to this project is choosing a mesh fabric with an open enough weave for the wind to pass through to prevent fabric billowing. But you also want a fabric that's opaque enough to block some wind and offer comfortable privacy while not impairing visibility.

DIY Fabric Privacy Fence 3 — A close-up of the lace-on system using grommets and leech line.

We chose Phifertex® Standard Vinyl Mesh for our fabric fence panels. Phifertex Standard has a 70% shade factor, which means it's open enough for high winds to pass through without billowing the material. If your fence location experiences a lot of wind, this might be the best fabric choice for you. If you're not concerned about wind and want a more opaque fabric that offers more privacy, there are other mesh fabrics with a higher shade factor, such as Phifertex^® Plus or Textilene^®. Choose the mesh fabric that best fits your personal needs and location.

Watch the video to learn how to make a mesh fabric privacy fence that laces onto your fence posts. You'll also find the complete materials and tools lists of everything needed to complete this project.

Are you interested in sprucing up other outdoor living areas around your home? You should check out our YouTube playlist "Fabric Makeover Projects for Outdoor Living Areas." We have videos on sewing a fabric hammock, making new patio furniture cushions, adding much-needed shade with a DIY wire-hung canopy, and so much more! Click here to view the complete playlist.