The Fab Floor Cloth

One of the most frequent questions we get is about our floor cloths.  We think they are a unique and fun way to display and use special fabrics.  Debbie makes a new one every year for the MN Shop Hop.  We keep it on the floor right in front of our cash register counter, a place that gets lots of traffic.  It gets walked on all the time, and lasts through wet shoes, sandy shoes, slushy shoes and salty shoes.

We've shared the instructions on this blog before so I will reprint them here.  We also hand out those instructions to anyone in the store who is interested.  You can make your own floor cloth to the size that you want, from big all the way down to coaster size!  The multi-purpose cloth (by Roclon) that is the foundation for our floor cloths is 54" wide. That would be the max width of a floor cloth but the length could be longer than that because we buy it on a roll and sell it by the yard.

If you are planning to make your own floor cloth, the usual size container of Mod Podge is not enough.  You are better off to watch for it on sale at a craft store and buy the big container.

Mod Podge Floor Cloth

Supplies:

 Mod Podge   
Fine grit sandpaper or steel wool    
Multi Purpose Cloth    
Fabric for the front and back

   Foam Brush   

Plastic Drop Cloth to protect work surface

Directions:

1.  Cut the main fabric and the backing one inch larger than the desired finished size of the floor cloth.

2.  Cut the Multi Purpose Cloth to the desired finished size.

3.  Apply Mod Podge to one side of the Multi Purpose Cloth. 

Immediately attach backing fabric to the Mod Podged surface, smoothing out wrinkles and bubbles.

4.  Apply Mod Podge to the backing fabric.  Let dry 1-2 hours.

5.  Trim backing fabric even with the Multi Purpose Cloth. Use your rotary cutter for an even trim.

6.  Turn the floor cloth over and apply Mod Podge to the other side of the floor cloth.  Center the main fabric on the floor cloth so that you will have fabric to wrap to the wrong side of the cloth.  Smooth out wrinkles and bubbles. Let dry.

7.  Sand lightly with steel wool or fine grit sand paper, if desired.

8.  Repeat so that you have 4-5 layers of Mod Podge on the front and 3-4 layers on the back, sanding between coats.

9.  Wrap excess front fabric to the back side and apply Mod Podge under the fabric to hold it to the floor cloth and over the fabric so that it will also be finished.  If desired, Mod Podge one inch strips of fabric  to cover the raw edges of the wrap around fabric for a more finished look.

10.  Apply Mod Podge to the back side one more time.

You can get as creative as you want with fabrics in assorted colors, shapes and sizes.  You can make it look like quilt blocks, or a collage, or a Van Gogh!

The Floormat Again!

It's time for the floormat once again!

Debbie has become a pro at floorcloth design and production, 

 I think this is the 4th year in a row for this project.    

The directions are over here on a previous post.

The design ideas are unlimited.  This time she used 5" squares and letters about 4" high from cardstock, purchased at a craft store.  The RocLon Multipurpose cloth can be cut to any size you wish.  We do have it in stock in the 54" size.  The Mod Podge is also available at most craft stores, but don't get the small size.  I think Debbie used up one 32oz. bottle and had to start on another one to get all the coats done.  So look for the family size!

And a note about durability--we used the 2015 floormat on our floor right in front of the cash register counter all year long.  That's the spot that probably gets the most traffic in the entire store.  And it shows very little wear and tear after 12 months of heavy use.  And now it's time for a new look for another year!

Blocks and A Bonus!

The City Sampler returns!  These are blocks 51-54, and a fine group they are!  

Several ways to work some triangles into the blocks, shifting colors for different effects.

Thanks, Kristina, for your inspiring stitching!

And thanks, Tula Pink, for an inspiring book.

Remember to pick up your copy at Bear Patch Quilting Co.!

blocks 51-54

 And now for the bonus today!  This comes direct from the boss lady, Debbie.  She has unleashed her inner crafty self with a bottle of Mod Podge!  This is the second time she has made a great floorcloth for Quilt MN.  The Itasca mat was made last year with a large printed panel.  The patchwork sample below  was made this summer with the new (2014) MN fabrics.  Same basic technique, just a different look.

Here is a brief version of the directions that Debbie compiled.  A handout is available at the store.  Multi Purpose Cloth is a heavyweight coated fabric for sale by the yard.

Decoupage Floor Cloth

Supplies:  Mod Podge, Multi-purpose cloth (MPC) in the size desired for your mat, fabric for the front and back, foam brush, steel wool or fine grit sandpaper, plastic drop cloth to protect work surface.

1.  Cut the Multi Purpose Cloth to the desired finished size.

2.  Cut the backing fabric and front fabric 1" larger than the MPC.

3.  Apply Mod Podge to one side of the MPC.  Immediately lay the backing fabic to the wet surface, smoothing out wrinkle and bubbles.

4.  Apply a coat of Mod Podge to the backing fabric.  Let dry 1-2 hours.

5.  When completely dry, trim the backing fabric even with the MPC.  

6.  Turn the floor cloth over and apply Mod Podge to the other side of the mat.  Center the main fabric, or lay out fabric squares, to cover the entire surface and extend beyond the edges.  Smooth out wrinkles and bubbles, let dry.

7.  Sand lightly with steel wool or fine grit sandpaper.

8.  Repeat to make 4-5 coats of Mod Podge on front and back, sanding between.

9.  Finish the edge by wrapping the extra fabric around the edge, then cover the unfinished edge with 1" strips of fabric cut with pinking shears or blade.  Adhere the edges with Mod Podge, then apply one more coat over the surface.

You can take this method to a whole new level if you wish.  Use scraps, triangles, trims, etc., to make it your own.