STENCILED TABLE RUNNER

I am working on a new project. I have wanted to make a floor cloth for a long time. In fact, I have purchased white cotton duck canvas three different times with the intent to make a floor cloth. The first two purchases were given away after sitting in a closet for ages. The third time, I have made the effort to purchase all the needed supplies and feel I have the confidence to give it a try. I purchased the duck cloth from JoAnn Fabrics online but it should be available in the stores. I figured I was saving money by ordering online as I would surely find other things to purchase in the store and the bill would add up. The acrylic craft paints came from the local craft store. I could not find the specific antiquing medium called for or the clear Bri-Wax at the craft store. I could probably have used other stain but being a first timer on this, I wanted to stick with what was called for. I ordered both items online in separate purchases and am awaiting their delivery. Also, my husband will be going to Lowe's for carpet tape as I did not notice that it was a needed.

I know the first photo is boring. I enlisted my husband's help in preparing the canvas. You have to coat both sides of the fabric with gesso. One side gets two coats and that is the top where you do the rest of the painting. The instructions were to apply the gesso with a large foam brush but he used one of the small paint rollers that is meant for cabinet doors and that worked well. It took almost all of a 16 ounce container of the gesso to do the three coats. Next I combined a color called midnight which was a deep, deep navy with a soft black and he again used the roller to apply to the top only. The coats dry in about half an hour each. He spread the fabric on a piece of heavy cardboard box to do the painting.

The next step was to chalk a line 2 inches in and that marks the part that will get turned under with the carpet tape. And it lets you know not to stencil beyond the lines or part of the design will be underneath.
The instructions were to make stencils from mylar. I used freezer paper instead and it worked fine. At first, I was ironing the waxy side of the freezer paper to the painted canvas. It held somewhat but not like ironing on cotton fabric that is not coated with paint. And the iron was picking up background paint where it touched directly on. Now that did not hurt my iron or the background. I will be lightly sanding the canvas to remove some paint to give it a worn look anyhow. I discovered that my pieces were small enough that I could just hold them down in place in the area I was working on. It saved me money because the directions called for seven mylar sheets. The freezer paper is inexpensive in comparison.

One thing I learned is not to use inexpensive stenciling brushes. I had one good brush and just purchased a package of three less expensive ones. The brush bristles are too soft and go wild very quickly. Also the bristles start coming off as you work. I ended up using the one good one for all the work rinsing it out and drying with a paper towel when changing colors.
The last photo shows all of the design on the cloth. I should not have put the stem over the front of the pot as the leaf color shows differently. If I were to repeat this, I would leave it off. On this one, it is there for keeps. Now I have to wait for the staining medium and Bri-Wax to arrive before I go further. I will post more photos after I accomplish the next steps.

The cloth will be used as a table runner. The pattern is from "Home Sweet Home" by Barb Adams & Alma Allen (Blackbird Designs). The pattern is called "Autumn Brunch" and uses templates from a quilt pattern in the book called "Sunflower Charms". Alma did the stenciling on the one shown in the quilt book. It is shown on an old country table in a garden. The runner sits atop on what looks like a linen piece with fancy crochet edging. I will probably use mine on the dining room table. The size should end up about 20" x 42". I forgot to mention that I washed and dried the fabric before any of the paint was applied.

I am anxious to finish the project and see what it looks like. I have enough canvas that I could make another but would have to purchase more gesso and the background paints. I have plenty of the other pains left.

I am working on a small stitchery project. I am not far enough along to show it yet and will do that next time.

I hope you are enjoying the holiday season and that you are getting your shopping done. We had record high temperatures here today but it clouded over. My husband said it looked like a winter day but was 85 degrees out. It certainly is not what many of you would consider weather to be Christmas shopping in. The only time I miss snow is a couple of days at Christmas time. One thing I don't miss is having to wear boots and a heavy coat while I am out Christmas shopping. A cold front is moving in tonight.

Stop back again for another visit.

Karen