How to Make Floor Coverings from Sailcloth

Measure a rectangle on the sailcloth for your desired floor cloth size and cut it out using sharp scissors or a craft knife. Choose a smaller size, such as 3 by 5 feet for a beginning project.

Soak the sailcloth in hot water and allow it to dry in the sun to let it shrink as much as possible.

Fold all four edges under 1/4 inch and sew them down. Turn the edges again, this time using a 1-inch fold. Stitch these hemmed edges down, sewing right next to the first seam line.

Lay the cloth with the hemmed side down, which will cause the right side of the cloth to face up. Coat the entire top surface of the cloth with a thin layer of gesso, a canvas primer. Allow the gesso to dry thoroughly, then add another coat and let it dry.

Paint the cloth with the background color for your floor cloth design. It should be a contrasting color from your design, to show off the hues. If this is your first floor cloth, use a simple white or eggshell color. Allow it and all other paint layers to dry after you apply them.

Lay the stencils on the painted cloth and begin stenciling layers to the design. Depending on the stencil you've chosen, you may need to apply one color or as many as five or six.

Coat the finished floor cloth with a water-based sealant after all the painted designs have been applied. Add four layers of sealant, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next. Let the floor cloth dry completely overnight before using it on the floor.