Floorcloths

Floorcloths ( floor cloths), also historically referred to as oyl cloths, painted carpets and summer floor mats are the early precursor of linoleum.   Earliest documentation shows us that floorcloths were first produced en masse in England, and were designed to be used as insulation against cold, drafty,  winters.  They were also used during the summer months, (thus the reason for being called summer floor mats), to protect the wooden floors when the heavy wool rugs were taken up for cleaning and put away.  This invention became a large trade that lasted well into the late Victorian era, until the industrial revolution changed the way goods were produced as a whole and when English rubber manufacturer Fredrick Walton developed the first linoleum products in 1860.

The tradition of the painted floor canvas was eagerly brought to the Americas by colonists wishing to bring with them a favorite home furnishing from their homeland. These beautiful yet utilitarian works may still be found gracing many of the stately historic homes of our nation such as Mt. Vernon and Monticello. Similar to the fine artist’s canvas which is prepared by stretching over wooden bars and then primed with gessoes, the canvas of the floor cloth was cut to size and coated with a solution of drying oil. This initial oil preparation left the fabric both durable, waterproof and a perfect medium on which to paint on. Floorcloths became a medium that offered a base for some of the most decorative folk art motifs and paintings that stemmed from the colonial and neo-classical era. 

Pictured right:  A Flowers and Fans floorcloth by Canvasworks Floorcloths.  Used  by permission.

Pictured left:  Marbled Checks With Red Scroll- A Canvasworks Floorcloth. Image used by permission.

Floorcloths were mostly used in vestibules and stairways, or in other high-traffic areas of the home where wear and tear was most prevalent on the floor. This was due to the fact that cotton duck canvas was an inexpensive material to acquire and replace; far easier than replacing an expensive oriental or Aubusson carpet.  During the colonial period, when supplies were short, floor cloth artists would use old ship sails which were readily available and inexpensive. ¹ If the face of the floorcloth began to show wear or sun-fade, the worn areas were easily fixed by repainting them. There were many itinerate traveling country folk artists and decorative house painters who eked out a living in the trade of wall stenciling and floor cloth repair. We find examples of this in the historical record of one Joseph Barnes, who proudly announced on his London trade card, "Old Floor Cloths New Painted," while another account records Boston artisan Samuel Perkins, who in 1816 advertised; "OLD CARPETS-Repainted and Ornamented in the best manner." ²

At first, floorcloths were primarily imported, but in 1816, as their popularity continued to soar, a tariff tax of 30% percent was levied against importing them.  Domestic artisans quickly took advantage of this and soon, the historical record shows us that many enterprising craftsmen set up shop in Boston, Philadelphia and New York and they successfully sold them all through out New England

Motifs that were popular and highly in style could range from a simple solid color, typically green, to very busy, repeating geometric designs.  Alternating black and white squares was another a popular theme, as was the alternating combination of colors known as a diamond pattern. There were also patterns which were conducive to imitating expensive marble. Some patterns imitated tile or Turkish carpets, and yet others had borders or allover figure designs. The majority of these floorcloths were created by using mathematical theorems as a basis to create geocentric designs. Some less technical designs used freehand methods and others employed methods of stenciling on the cloths which were very similar to those used on walls.  European and American stencilers also utilized some stamping methods (block printing) which give them several different available techniques. Itinerant stencilers where traveling artists who made their living creating functional works of art for wealthy individuals, painting either solid colors, or fancy cloths with borders.

Fortunately, we still have a few old manuscripts that have survived through time which give modern day artists directions and insight into the methods of how these cloths were initially constructed.  This allows today’s artist to authentically recreate these masterpieces for use in our contemporary homes.

From The Golden Cabinet (Philadelphia, 1793), comes this clear description of the freehand painting method

The canvas being stretched on a frame give it a layer of size of paste water, then go over it with a pumice stone to smoothe off the knots. By means of the size the little threads and hairs are all laid close on the cloth, and the little holes filled up, so that no colour can pass through. When the cloth is dry lay on okre in oil which may be mixed with white lead to make it dry sooner. When dry go over again with pumice to make smoothe . . . On this first draw the picture with a coal then lay on the colors. The use of a little honey mixed with the size will prevent cracking, peeling, and breaking out.

From an article published in A New System of Domestic Cookery (Boston, 1807), we can add these additional points to the creation process:

Floor cloths should be painted on a fine fabric well covered with paint, and the flowers in the pattern should not rise much above the surface if durability is desired. The cloths should always be "seasoned" for some time before using — either hung up in a dry barn or laid down on the spare room floor. If taken up for any reason they should be wrapped around a carpet roller to prevent the ever present hazard of cracking.

From The New Family Receipt Book (New Haven, 1819)

After sweeping and cleaning the floor cloths with a broom and damp flannel, in the usual manner, wet them over with milk and rub them till (they shine). ³

The folk artists who first created American floor cloths were generally not trained as fine artists. They created their floor cloths out of necessity, decorating them to express their own individuality and style. As a folk art form, the original floor cloth artists concentrated on emphasizing color and simplicity of line. They used simple, bold forms, with much repetition and texture. These folk artists had many of the same problems with their floor cloths as we have today: cracking, compatibility of materials, insufficient drying time, durability and frayed edges.

Some Simple Tips for the making of Floor Cloths (floorcloths):

Traditional floorcloths were not hemmed at all, they were left to lay out flat due to the thickness of the canvas material and the many coats of paint and sealer. When choosing a canvas for making a floorcloth, remember that hemming will be needed when lighter weight material is selected. Heavy canvas will not ripple up on you and it will lay nice and flat.

For Materials: Choose the heaviest possible canvas material that you can find, or go to a craft supply store and purchase floor cloth fabirc by the roll that is already pre-stretched and primed.

Creation: If you select an unprimed, heavy weight fabric from a fabric store, it must be pre shrunk by soaking it with hot water and and then allowing it to thoroughly dry.  It is a good idea to lay it flat or clothespin it on a line somewhere to dry. When the dried cloth is ready for priming, a white acrylic gesso, (easily found in the oil painting supplies area of your local craft store),  is applied to front and back. You must follow this by a base coat of paint-which may be tinted the primary color of the background field. Once you have completed your painting, stenciling or blocking of your design, you must let it dry and then seal the front and back of the floorcloth with a few coats of sealer before you start trimming. Cut your cloth to the desired shape and make sure the edges are sealed with the sealer.  When finished,  the rugwill need to cure for a few weeks in order to give the paints and layers of sealers time to bond.

NOTE: Floor cloths do not do well over carpeting or uneven surfaces as they floor will conform to the uneven surface beneath, settling into the surface grooves and indentations.

Acknowlegements:

WSOAPP would like to thank Canvasworks Foorcloths  for generously allowing us to use photos of their work from their website.  You may find many superb floorcloths at Canvasworks Floorcloths and if you are interested in learning more about the technique of designing your own piece they have provided a detailed tutorial on the process.

You can also find another great article on floorcloths at the Early American Life website.

References:

1    From "The Floorcloth Story": Canvasworks Floorcloths

http://canvasworksfloorcloths.com/wordpress/about/floorclothsthen-and-now

2    Floor Coverings in New England Before 1850

Author: Nina Fletcher Little

Date: 1967

Type: Papers and Articles:

3 The New Family Receipt Book (New Haven, 1819)