Painted Fabric Rugs

by Mark Montano

10K21420

Intro: Painted Fabric Rugs

Make no-sew painted fabric rugs in any style and size to match your home decor.

STEP 1: Watch the Video Tutorial Here!


STEP 2: You'll Need (to Make Both Rugs)

YOU'LL NEED

1 yard printed fabric

2 yards heavy cotton canvas

Americana Multi Surface Paints in your favorite colors

Minwax Polycrylic

E-6000 Stitchless Iron On Glue

1 yard fringe (optional)

E-6000 Fabri-Fuse

Painter's tape

STEP 3: Prepare Your Canvas

Figure out the size you want to make your rug and add 1" all the way around

Cut your canvas to this size

Iron the edges in 1"

Add E-6000 Stitchless glue around the edges and iron the edges in place

STEP 4: Create Your Design

Measure the center of each side of your canvas rug

Connect where you marked with painter's tape

Using the first taped diamond, measure in 3" to create a smaller diamond

Measure in again to create the center diamond

Add tape to all your drawn lines

Start filling in with your multi-surface paints

STEP 5: Paint and Seal It!

Black in the center

Next red, followed by turquoise orange and finally green

Remove the tape when it's dry and coat the front and back of the rug with Minwax Polycrylic

STEP 6: Let's Make a Printed Fabric Rug

Cut your printed fabric 1" bigger all the way around than you want your rug to measure

Cut a piece of canvas 1" smaller all the way around than your printed fabric

With the printed fabric centered on top of the canvas, seal them together with a layer of Minwax Polycrylic

Add more Minwax Polycrylic to the top after you've sealed them together

STEP 7: Embellish and Seal It

Add E-6000 Fabri-Fuse to the 1" edges and iron them to the underside of the canvas

Create a 2" boarder 1/2" in from the edge of the rug all the way around using tape

Fill it in with a matching color

Glue fringe under the ends of the rug with E-6000 Fabri-Fuse and let dry

20 Comments

Gilly 9 years ago

Beautiful. Just have to see if I can source a couple of the products you used, in the UK. I sooooo wish I lived in the US, you seem to have a MUCH wider range of craft stuff than the UK. We do have some good craft stores but not as prolific as the states.

MicioGatta 9 years ago

I do love the colours..... can't stop looking at them........

KookyKreations 9 years ago

I really like your rugs and the vibrant colors you used. Now, I want to
make my own painted floor cover! When you say "printed fabric" does it matter what kind of
fabric it is? Is upholstery fabric necessary? How durable are these?
How do you clean them? A kitchen rug tends to get stuff dripped on it
while an entry rug may experience dirty shoes or paws. You mention it
as an option in the video, but I really think you should emphasize that a
non-skid backing should be on ALL kitchen rugs - this is a pretty easy
addition once the rug is completed. They look great!

DeeRilee 9 years ago

Great Instructables! And I love the design you chose to do!

@KookyKreations, I think I can answer your questions regarding fabric & durability. Canvas duck (available in any store that carries fabric) is a great choice. It is durable & the paint adheres to it very well. You could also use a heavy-weight denim.

I've made a door-sized 'rug' like this in a Christmas theme, that is used to hang on an office door. Loosely rolled up, it is stored for most of the year.....I think its 8 years old now. Cleaning is easy, just wipe it with warm water with a little dish detergent using a soft cloth (t-shirt material works great), and then wipe down again with rag soaked in clear water. The sealer I used was not as durable as MinWax Polycrylic (but it wasn't intended to be walked on), and it looks as great now as it did when I first painted it.

If you really want it to last, lay your prepared cloth out (make sure you've ironed out all the wrinkles) and coat with a "bondable primer", after it is completely dry start painting with your acrylic paint. Make sure the acrylic paint is totally dry before sealing with the Polycrylic.

bizzycrafter 9 years ago

Beautiful!! And brilliant!! Your kitchen must be gorgeous!! When you ironed the 1" edge over on the printed fabric rug (step 7) is the hot iron touching the surface which has been coated with the Minwax Polycrylic? Is that OK??

Mark Montano 9 years ago

I did get some acrylic on my edges, but try not to. It did iron, but I have a nice, non stick iron and I'm not sure how it would react on an older iron. Also, on this one, seal the back with more clear coat after you've ironed over the edges.

the.mom.1956 9 years ago

I especially like the way you did the video tutorial, speeding through areas of painting that could have added time, but no additional information to the video. Quick and precise!!

Mark Montano 9 years ago

Thanks the.mom.1956 I really try to get the editing just right.

mooconnor 9 years ago

Love these!! I want to make one! Heading for the fabric store!

Mark Montano 9 years ago

You'll be surprised at how easy they are to make.

bagshotrow 9 years ago

I had no idea this was a thing you could do but now I'm obsessed :O

inklayer 9 years ago

I have seen many painted rug designs and instructions before but this is the first time I have seen using fabric sealed to canvas and again sealed after the fabric is applied. This is a great idea and a well put together instructable! Although I also have an entry in the "Paint It" contest I am compelled to give you a vote and am positive that yours will receive an award if not the top prize yours must end up close. Congratulations for a job VERY well done.

Mark Montano 9 years ago

Wow, thanks inklayer! I haven't entered the paint contest actually. Maybe I should! Keep in touch, OK. Thanks for the nice comment.

Mark Montano 9 years ago

Hey Kooky, I would use a regular printed cotton fabric and a heavy canvas for the printed rug with the stripe. They are easy to clean and super durable as long as you coat both sides with the Minwax. I've had one in the kitchen for 6 weeks now and it's in perfect condition. I wipe it with a sponge. You're right about the non stick on every kitchen rug.