Bobbins floor cloths!

[bobbi campbell]

 WOW! That's all I can say. I am so impressed. I had never seen  these before and I am always looking for something new to try. I just can't believe how nice they look. Can you email some info on how to make them? I googled it but I think there are a few ways and looks like you have quite the experience

[Mike]

IsHIs do you keep them clean from foot tragic and my dog ?

[kodydog]

IsHIs do you keep them clean from foot tragic and my dog ?

I don't know about humans but you can train dogs to wipe their feet. At least that's what my wife tells me.  :D

Bobbin those floor cloths are very cool.

[bobbin]

Floorcloths are actually a very old craft, dating from the early 18th. century and likely before.  They were originally fashioned from discarded sails; painted and then varnished several times to protect the painted decoration.  They were used to cover bare wood floors and protect against drafts at a time when carpets were fabulously expensive and out of reach for many.  It probably didn't take long for enterprising itinerant artists to ply their trade on them.  Floorcloths were the precursor to linoleum and later, vinyl flooring. 

When completed,  my floorcloths have the between 8-10 coats of paint (depending on the level of decoration) and another 8 coats of polyurethane over the painted artwork.  The underside has 2-3 of paint and the same for polyurethane.  They are tough, hard-wearing and basically impervious to pretty much anything that comes their way.  Cat or dog puke? mud, slush, spilt food? No problem.  You wash them the same way you would wash a linoleum floor.   

Thanks for the nice comments. 

[kodydog]

Now you got my wheels turning. Our St Augustine house needs a ton of work. Including the original 1968 linoleum floor in the kitchen. Would your floor cloth be a good replacement for this.

For those who want to see Bobbins floor cloths here's the original topic, 7th reply,

http://get-up-and-go.com/upholstery-forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=bul0umoumdgm12v27ltp3g3ev2&topic=11422.0