Boat sails can be made into some impressive things around the house, preventing you from having to throw them away, and giving you a new decor piece as well. Yard sales around marinas are a possible source for acquiring a used sail. There are usually ads selling used boat sails, too, in towns where there’s a lake or seaport. But, if you can’t find a boat sail, most any old piece of canvas will do.
Boat sails make great area rugs for, usually, a fraction of the cost of a new area rug. And, since you’ll design the “rug” any way you want, you’ll have the only one like it in the world! Start by cutting off areas that have large holes or tatters, unless they’re on the edge. Obviously the sail can’t have gigantic holes right in the center, so choose a piece that is fitting for an area rug.
The size and shape of the sail or canvas will, in the end, be up to you. Leave sails in their original shapes for a unique conversation piece, or cut them to any desired size. Hemming the sail or canvas is preferred, but not entirely necessary. You can get most any upholsterer, or someone with a heavy-duty machine, to hem the canvas, or just treat it with a no-fray cream that is found at fabric stores.
It’s important to start with a clean, dry canvas, if possible. Obviously, if the sail is old and tattered, it probably hasn’t been washed in quite some time. Stretch it out in the driveway and use bottled soap that attaches to a water hose for best results. The soap can be found in department stores where they sell car wax. Put a lot of pressure to the water so the soap is forced through the sale. Rinse well and allow to dry, turning over several times throughout the day, to quicken the process.
To make your own design on the canvas you’ll need a paint roller and pan, if it’s a big rug, foam paint brushes, bristle paint brushes, stencils, and ideas for a design. There are so many different designs you can do on the canvas: paint it one solid color, make it striped with wide streaks of paint, just let paint dribble, from above, onto the canvas, or you can paint words or phrases.
Any oil-based paint will work for the project, but you can also use fabric paints. Paint rollers are perfect for doing the perimeter or other large areas. Foam brushes are handy when patting paint into stencil designs. Regular brushes are perfect for wide stripes.
Lay a suitable-sized piece of plastic onto the floor or other area where you’re working. Stretch the sail out and start painting. Start from the middle and work your way out, if you have a large canvas, or work from one side to the other if you are doing stripes. When the design is done, allow the sail or canvas to dry well. Positioning a fan to blow onto the rug will speed drying time.
Canvas is heavy and won’t easily slide, but if you need to make it absolutely slip-proof, check on rubber matting for the underside of the sail. The matting is sold in department stores and is placed on the floor with the rug lying on top. You can also buy a dollar-store-type of rubber matting which is sold on a small roll for a buck. Cut the matting to go under the perimeter of the rug and it’ll stay in place.
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