Canvas Preparation - MB Historic Decor

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CANVAS PREPARATION

The canvas that you have received for this class was prepared by Michele Hollick of Stenciled Floorcloths by Michele:
http://www.stenciledfloorclothsbymichele.com
603-465-3426
I have been asked what the preparation process is from raw canvas to the finished floorcloth. This is Michele’s process.
She staples #10 canvas to the wooden floor in her barn hayloft (turned workshop). The staples need to be in at least 1 ½” from the edge and spaced 4”-6” apart. She then uses a fuzzy, lint-free paint roller to apply gesso to the front side of the canvas. She has two sources for gesso: Golden brand from Dick Blick, or Liquidtex from AC Moore. The gesso is allowed to dry for at least 24 hours. The canvas is unstapled and flipped over and re-stapled. Gesso is applied using the same roller, kept moist in plastic bags, to the back. After 24 hours, the canvas can be unstapled.
The next step is to apply two coats of paint to the top. She prefers Benjamin Moore. Your canvases are the color HC-5. If the canvas is going to be used for several cloths, it is then cut. After it is cut, it is sanded with an electric sander and a very fine sand paper. The third coat of paint is then applied.
Your canvases have been pre-hemmed. In class, Michele instructs us to score the edges on the back side using the edge of a screwdriver. Hems can be whatever width you want, but they all need to be the same! After scoring the canvas, cut the corners off. The score lines intersect, and this is where you want to cut the corners. A gridded ruler or quilting tool makes corner cutting easy. Line up a perpendicular line on the ruler from the corner to the intersection and draw your line to cut the corner. After the corners are cut, fold the hems up and in with your fingers a press down. Make sure everything lines up. Apply rubber cement to both inner sides of the hem and allow to dry for 30 minutes. Press the hem in place and roll down hard. Michele uses a wallpaper roller. I use a rolling pin.
Note: If you wait until after you have stenciled to hem, you can adjust for any miscalculations laying out your pattern!
And from me: I like to put Ninja brand (Amazon) rug padding on the back of the floorcloth. It prevents sliding and it adds a cushioning to the canvas. It also makes the thickness more uniform. I like Weldwood rubber cement. (Amazon). The green can is low odor, highly recommended! Apply a very thin coat of rubber cement to the entire back of the canvas, making sure to get the edges against the hem. Place the rug pad over the canvas and smooth it down with your hands from the middle outwards. Then apply firmly with a rolling pin. I like to allow it to dry, but it is not critical, before trimming. I use an exacto knife. I hold it at an angle and cut back into the folded over hem. Never cut straight down!

Enjoy your floorcloth!
Vivian Bisbee
MB Historic Décor
www.mbhhistoricdecor.com
978-273-1991