Painted and varnished floor cloths, rugs or runners were among the first floor coverings in North America. The style originated back in 14th century France, where painted fabrics were used as wall hangings and table covers. By the 18th century floor cloths were brought to North America by the British. Until the invention of linoleum, floor cloths were popular for the poor to the very rich.
Today, floor cloths are used mostly as art. They are a decorative and creative, art form most commonly associated with Arts and Crafts. Whether you are going to put it on the floor or display it on the wall and a piece of art or collage, floor mats are very durable and resilient. They are easy to clean, just wipe with a sponge, or a simple soap and water mixture will also do.
In the past, people were destined to inhale horribly caustic fumes from the paint and varnish. These caustic materials were the only way to achieve longevity. Today things are different. It is no longer necessary to have oil based products, water soluble paints and varnishes are faster drying, easier application and clean up, and just as durable.
What you will need: Medium to heavy weight canvas, gesso, assorted brushed, fabric paints, sponges, stencils, bottles, rags, acrylic varnish and Soluvar.
First, you will need to gesso your canvas. Gesso is an acrylic primer, which protect the fibers in the fabric and create a smooth are for application. Secondly, you will need to stretch your canvas. If you are not familiar with this process, there are several web sites with easy to follow instructions. Stretching your canvas will allow for easier paint application. When choosing the paint, its best to choose actual fabric paint. Otherwise, you could be dealing with cracking, problematic drying time and it might be non-light fasted. Personally I like to use Liquitex, but your opinion may differ so do some trials to find the best one suited for you. There are many different possibilities for creativity on your floor cloth. On a single floor cloth there may be many different techniques such as, watercolors, airbrushing, stamping, block printing, stenciling, ragging and sponging, silk-screening, collage and faux finishing. Anything goes, the only limits are yours.
Once you floor cloth has been painted and dried, its time to varnish. This will protect your artwork and allow it to be walked on if necessary. Once again I love Liquitex varnish. It comes in matte and gloss depending on your desired effect. Apply 3-5 coats. Two important notes, 1-do not over-work the area, this could lead to texture and clouding from the varnish, and two-dont apply vigorously, which can cause bubbles to form and dry in your work. The varnish can be applied with brushes, paint pads, or sprays. For a more aged look, add some raw umber to the varnish. For a folk art look add white wash over the final coat of paint, before varnishing.
Soluvar is a durable, non-yellowing varnish that is very important to a piece near a heat source or in high traffic areas. A coating of Soluvar will prevent a sticky feeling from the cloth. Over time, your floor cloth may need cleaning; you can remove the Soluvar with soap and water then reapply for a brand new look. This process will not affect the original piece. If your floor cloth is in a damp area, remember to coat both sides of the canvas with varnish.
This information can also be applied to umbrellas, outdoor canvas lawn chair covers, cushion covers, table runners placemats, stair runners and room dividers.
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