How to Make a Canvas Rug

Priming

• 1

  Lay the drop cloth out on a level surface large enough to lay the canvas out. Keep in mind that the gesso will have to dry overnight, so make sure that you can leave the canvas where it is for 8 to 12 hours. Your canvas rug will need to dry in between each paining. Simple designs will need approximately 12 hours drying time plus a minimum of 24 hours drying time for the coats of varnish. More intricate designs will need 12 hours for each layer of paint on the design plus a minimum of 24 hours drying time for the coats of varnish.

• 2

  Lay the canvas out. Measure in six inches from all edges. Fold over--a yard stick can help to make a sharp fold line--and secure with tape.

• 3

  Turn the canvas over. Smooth out any wrinkles. Sweep off surface. Use the yard stick to press along the hem fold to make it a sharp crease.

• 4

  Pour gesso or primer into roller tray. Using paint roller, roll gesso onto the canvas. Clean roller tray and roller.

• 5

  Let dry overnight.

• 6

  Most designs benefit from putting a base coat of paint on top of the gesso, so that the white of the gesso will not show through the design. If you do not want the white gesso as the background for the design, pour background color acrylic paint into roller tray. Using a paint roller, roll background paint onto canvas.

• 7

  Let dry overnight.

Designing

• 8

  Keep in mind that this is your canvas rug and you can put on it whatever you want. Classic canvas designs include stripes, stars and leaves. For a nautical themed area, a compass rose, for a child’s room, bright shapes and colors, for an outdoor kitchen, fruits and vegetables--the options are endless, because you are designing it yourself. Great resources for graphics include rubber stamps, stencils, and everyday objects you find around your home, such as round coffee cans or even tracing around some of your favorite objects, such as a bookend or your child’s favorite puzzle pieces. Rubber stamps can be used with the acrylic paint to stamp desired images on the canvas rug. Rubber stamps have some great graphics, especially for borders or groupings on canvas rugs. Stencils that can be found in your local craft store are also a great resource for graphics.

• 9

  Layout the design on the canvas with pencil.

• 10

  Using the acrylic paints, paint the design onto the canvas rug.

• 11

  Let dry overnight or approximately 12 hours.

• 12

  Repeat as necessary to apply multiple layers of design.

Finishing

• 13

  Apply varnish per the instructions on the varnish. Some will be applied with a paint brush and some are sprayed on.

• 14

  Let dry overnight or approximately 12 hours.

• 15

  Re-apply the varnish and let dry overnight. A minimum of two coats of varnish should be applied. The more coats of varnish you apply, the better your design will stand up to foot traffic and the easier it will be to maintain your canvas rug.

• 16

  Turn the canvas rug over. Trim the hem to 2 inches outside the fold line.

• 17

  Prepare corners by folding at hemline on each side of a corner. Excess canvas will stick up vertically from your fold. Mark a line where the canvas bends upright. Cut. Repeat on remaining corners.

• 18

  Affix carpet tape to underside of hem, between hem and canvas rug. Press firmly. To help the tape stick well, rub the edge of the yard stick along the hem, pressing firmly.

• 19

  Let dry an additional 24 hours or as per varnish instructions. Now you are ready to put your custom canvas rug in place and beginning enjoying your efforts and artistry.