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Pastimes: A Blank Canvas – Drop Cloth Home Décor
By DeDee Birdsall
We tend to think of drop cloths as not being good for much but catching spilled paint, but they can actually serve another purpose as a versatile, inexpensive and trendy decorating fabric. Whether paint stained or fresh out of the package, the amount of project possibilities that drop cloths provide are virtually endless. Although it’s not a new trend on the home décor scene, it’s still a great, inexpensive method for sprucing up your home at minimal cost.
As a decorating fabric, drop cloths provide limitless potential. You can craft just about anything with a textured look for a lot less than standard fabric. Drop cloths complement a multitude of design styles, from traditional and country to cottage and shabby chic.
Size, Style and Cost
Drop cloths come in a variety of sizes, fabric and weight, so make sure that you’re purchasing the correct size and type that you’ll need for your particular project. One of the best things about the drop cloth is that its width is greater than your average fifty-four to sixty inch wide decorator fabric, making it an excellent, stand out choice for large projects.
For our projects, we used the 6 x 9 Blue Hawk 8-ounce canvas drop cloths from Lowe’s. This option offers an oatmeal shade with a great texture and weight while also being washable and resistant to water and mildew; an excellent choice for outdoor projects.
So what’s a drop cloth cost? Standard cloths come in a range of sizes and prices including:
- 4 x 5 ($5.98)
- 6 x 9 ($10.98)
- 9 x 12, available in 8-ounce ($18.47) or 10-ounce ($26.98)
We estimate the cost per yard to be less than $2.00, which is practically a steal for decorator fabric. Fabric in the same weight and durability can often cost more than $25.00 per yard. At that price, there’s no reason any DIY decorator shouldn’t pick some up on the next trip to the home improvement store. All come machine hemmed and can be easily transformed without a great deal of artistic talent or seamstress skills. It just takes a small dash of crafty creativity.
Project Possibilities
The projects we’ve chosen include outdoor curtains, embroidered throw pillows and a sassy half apron. But don’t let your imagination stop there! Other fun ideas include bedspreads, tablecloths and totes. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even reupholster an old chair to give it that high class Pottery Barn or West Elm look that comes complete with the fabric’s “character adding” flaws. Inspiration is merely a click away. You can check out project resources at www.onlyfromscratch.blogspot.com, www.houzz.com/drop-cloths or Pinterest.
Once you’ve chosen a project, all you need to do is purchase your drop cloth(s), then make sure to wash, dry and press them to remove sizing and rid the fabric of that “drop cloth smell.” When that’s all said and done, you’re ready to start on these fabulous creations.
Drop Cloth Pillows
These ruffled, stenciled, and embroidered throw pillows can add flair to any living space. All pillow covers are envelope style, easy as cutting three pieces of fabric and some straight stitching, which doesn’t require a lot of time or talent in the sewing department. If you can sew a straight line, you can make these covers. For simple instructions on making these envelope cases, visit www.ehow.com/how_4425862_make-envelope-pillow-case.html.
Stenciling the pillow front before sewing is a simple task that adds a lot of character. It only took minutes to apply and dry, and with the help of a friend’s embroidery machine, we turned an otherwise mundane throw pillow into a show piece that’s sure to catch any visitor’s eye. Comfiness is key for any place you’re going to rest your head, but the unique factor and artistic design help make these pillows one of a kind.
Even ruffles are a snap. Cut strips of fabric twice as long as the pillow width and set your machine stitch length to the highest number, also known as the basting stitch. Center stitching on the strip and sew a straight line from the top to the bottom of the fabric. Cut threads and pull the bobbin (bottom) thread until the gathers form. Slide to position the gathers evenly. Change your stitch length back to a normal setting, then lay the strip on the front of the pillow fabric, pin in place and stitch along the gather line using a regular stitch. Once the ruffles have been added, stitch the front and back pieces together, turn it right side out and slide your pillow inside. If you need to clean the cover, remove the pillow and wash.
Drop Cloth Curtains
Finding ready-made curtains or drapes for large or tall windows can be a costly endeavor, and searching for affordable outdoor curtains is next to impossible. With drop cloths, you can create a panel for your home or porch for under $10.00. For our curtain, we purchased paint samples ($2.98 each) in the latest decorating colors and used a flower wall stencil to create this trendy looking outdoor curtain. Additional supplies also included the rings for hanging.
Fun and reusable stencils can be found at www.cuttingedgestencils.com, but if stenciling isn’t your favorite thing, you can hand paint a design or add fabric, ribbon or other embellishments instead. Contrasting fabric sewn on the top or bottom can add great color. You can also change the color of the fabric by bleaching or dyeing as we’ve done with our stencil. For extra protection, spray curtains with Scotchgard Outdoor Water Shield.
Drop Cloth Kitchen Couture
Now that you’ve spruced up the living space, it’s time introduce a little drop cloth style into your kitchen routine. A pretty half apron can be crafted using about a half yard for drop cloth fabric. Drop cloths are excellent fabric for aprons and they stand up to the pressure with their durability and they’re maintenance friendly; a quick toss into the washer and dryer and they look like new again. It’s a great gift for a “foodie” or gardener friend and it can be personalized by embroidery, hand painting or fabric markers. A little rick rack and contrasting fabric and you’ve got a sassy little number that’s as affordable as it is functional.
Decorating and crafting with drop cloths might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of arts and crafts, but you’ll quickly find that it’s a unique and easy way to bring a clever sense of fun and flair to your home. “Drop” what you’re doing and get into it today!
