Canvas makes great rugs, place mats, coasters and table covers. Stenciling expert Judy Barker, president and owner of American Traditional Stencils, tells how to create a floor cloth out of canvas to add a charming touch to any room.
Materials:
one 2' x 3' piece of canvas, pre-coated with gesso
contact cement
sponge
ruler
three 3/8-inch stencil brushes
oil stick paints: green, yellow, red
water-based satin varnish or similar clear finish
acrylic spray
masking tape
stencils
pencil
beige acrylic paint
waxed paper or plastic foam plate
rubber cement (optional)
Steps:
- Turn the canvas right-side up.
- Use a damp sponge to lightly apply beige acrylic paint over the surface of the canvas.
- Find the center of rug, and lightly mark it.
- Using a manufactured or hand-cut pattern, trace the phrase SEASONED WITH LOVE on a piece of scrap paper to check placement of the letters.
- With a pencil, lightly draw the phrase on the canvas, using masking tape and the mark made in step 3 as guides.
- Stencil in the words with an oil color. Color recipes include: red + blue = purple; red + yellow = orange. Lighten greens with yellow; darken areas with blue.
- Along the edges of the canvas, stencil the border using American Traditional Stencils' BL-611 Fruit Border. Rearrange the design as needed.
- When the design is complete, allow it to dry.
- Spray a light, even coat of clear acrylic spray over the canvas.
- Protect the finish by painting it with two layers of water-based varnish. Allow the varnish to dry, sand the piece lightly, and apply two more coats of varnish.
Finished Edge (optional):
- Fold the edges of the canvas 1/2 inch. Cut out a triangle from each corner to make a mitered corner. To make a mitered edge on a curved rug, cut out a 1/2-inch notch every 3 inches along the arc of the rug.
- Paint a one-inch-wide band of contact cement along the edge of the canvas. Allow it to dry for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Fold in the edge of the canvas along the original crease to make a hem.
- Dried rubber cement on the underside of canvas will prevent the rug from slipping on floors.
Resources stencils
American Traditional Stencils
Website:
www.AmericanTraditional.com Guests Judith Barker
Stencil Artist: President and Owner, American Traditional Stencils
442 First New Hampshire Turnpike
Northwood, NH 03261-9754
Toll Free Phone: 800-448-6656
Fax: 800-448-6654
Email:
sales@AmericanTraditional.com
URL:
www.AmericanTraditional.com
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