Oil Cloth

Aims: to introduce an old method of creating floor covering
    to introduce stencil technique to create a repeated pattern

In the early 1800's many settlers oilcloths to cover floors and to keep out drafts. This process took months to do. The ladies of the house would select cloth from the general store - a size to fit the room. Many times this meant sewing lengths together. The cloth was then treated with a rye paste that was painted on. After drying, a coat of oil paint is applied and dried out of doors for two weeks. This is done three times. The third coat of paint is left to cure for two months. After this is finished the design is stencilled on. Stencils were created from oiled cloth. Designs were cut so that color could be painted through the cut-out section. These designs were repeated over and over to create the desired floor design.  After this layer was thoroughly dry, the oilcloth could be used on the floor to protect the wooden floors and to keep out drafts.

We will be using tracing to repeat the patterns on our oilcloth designs.