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Lesson Plans


Floor cloth information

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
gregjuli
Mon, 13 Jul 1998 15:51:14 -0500

Hi all,
I 've had requests for the information I've received on the floor
cloths. So here it is-
Floor cloths were used in colonial days by those who couyld not
afford fine carpets or rugs.
The Winterthur Library is sending me more information regarding the
history of this craft.

Some possible materials to make floor cloths are:
-heavy canvas -hemp cloth
-industrial belting -fabric wallcovering
-unbleached twill or denium
- oil cloth
The cloth needs to be primed. You can use gesso or latex house
paint.
Now the fun begins! One idea was to use a design based on the
students family.
Once you have decided on a design you can use stamps, stencils,
free-hand painting, faux finishes, whatever you can think of. You can
use acrylics or other fabric paints. When the design is finished it
needs to be sealed. Use a varnish , polyurethane, or a water- based
varnish ( I think Delta makes one). Another finishing tip from someone
was to turn the edges over by gluing them with Elmer's ( my fav is
Weldbond).
I'm going to experiment by ironing the edges down with heavy-duty
Wonderunder(at your local fabric store). Some said if the fabric is
heavy enough you do not need to turn edges under. I suppose you could
experiment with fringing.
I'm excited to try a sample of this project. I will be focusing
on shapes and symbolism in my lesson for the 7th graders. Also, I will
be covering the history of the floor cloth (hopefully my info. from
Winterthur will be here soon).
Again thanks to all those who sent me info.-Ann S., Joan K.
DFFerrigno, Gail1611, Joy & Don. Your information was very valuable to
me( and others). Couldn't of put it all together this quickly without
you. THANKS a million!

Artfully,

MaryB. in Wis.

PS. Don gave me a great website with a floor cloth lesson.
http://www.hgtv.com/shows/CDS.shtml