Prepping Drop Cloth 101
I must confess………I love using drop cloth material for projects. Have you guys ever used drop cloth fabric for DIY…I mean besides as a drop cloth ?
Well, if you haven’t used drop cloth you are in for a surprise at how versatile and lovely it can be. Drop cloth looks great as pillows, curtains, placemats etc.
Let your imagination run free because the possibilities are endless. Once you properly prep drop cloth it is so amazing to work with and best of all you can get it for a very low price for the amount of material you are getting.
If you are wanting a drop cloth with no seam in the middle here is one that is seamless except for the hemmed edges>>>>>>>>Seamless Drop Cloth
I am finding that it is getting harder to find seamless cloths.
Before prepping
Here are the steps to prep drop cloth:
- Wash your cloth two times
- Remove from washer and do not dry
- Iron the drop cloth while it is damp
- Use a steam iron on the highest setting
See it really irons well when damp.
If you try to iron when dry you will never get all the wrinkles out.
Learn from my mistake, the first time I worked with the drop cloth, I tried ironing while dry………
Let’s just say it doesn’t work……so a few, not so nice words later…..I washed the cloth again
and ironed while damp.
Properly prepping makes life a whole lot easier. HA!
Cloth Done ~ Perfection!
Once done you will have this beautiful piece of fabric……..woohoo….let the fun begin
It is the little things in life that make it so good.
Ok now let’s do some projects.
Here are a few my Drop Cloth projects you might enjoy:
Drop Cloth French Cafe Placemats
Thanks so much for this information! I plan on hanging drop cloth curtains in our bedroom and would have been fighting it every step of the way!
Thanks Benita….good luck with your curtains
Where do you like to punch your drop cloths from?
I have purchased mine from Home Depot and Menards. I look for the ones that are canvas. I have purchased a couple that are more cotton and a looser weave which if you are wanting a softer cloth this would be perfect for that.
Could I possibly cut the required yardage for this project before washing? That’s a lot of stiff fabric for a washing machine. Just wondering. Easier to handle also.
Yes, I did this. Be sure and cut the fabric larger than your project because it does fray.
The drop cloth for recovering our old sofa bed was very large. I added, what I thought, was enough extra fabric, when I cut the dropcloth before washing. It was not enough! Luckily it is on the sides where you can’t really see it. It is in our backyard cottage so a small space. Later I might add some to the sides to cover the missing area.
I haven’t had a problem with shrinking of drop cloth. I think if you decide to add fabric to the sides it would be fine. I would probably add fabric up by the arm sides to make it look intentional. Thanks for writing.
You could cut before washing but I always wash and iron first in case of fraying. I have never had a problem with shrinking and it does fit in my washing machine, even with the large 9 x 12′ drop cloth. Good luck!
I have been able to wash a 12’ x 15’ cloth easily in my washer. Trying to iron it was a different matter 🤯🤯
I have purchased drop cloths before that have seams, which would fall in the middle of the curtain. Can you recommend a brand that doesn’t?
Hi…..yes I have purchased some that had a middle seam and I didn’t like it. Let me look up the brand that normally is one piece. Right now I can’t think of the name but will let you know asap. Thanks for the question.
Hi Robin……I have added a note in the above post to include a link that does not have a seam in the middle. Hope this helps. Thanks for the question.
I don’t know how to tell when you created this post, but I clicked on the link for the Seamless Drop Cloth and ordered 4 of them for various projects. I was expecting them to be an “off-white” color but when they came in, they all have a blueish gray tint.
I washed them two times, just hoping maybe they would lighten up a bit so I could get by with using them, but they didn’t seem to.
Would you recommend trying to bleach them or dye them?
Thank you!
Do you wash your drop cloth in laundry detergent or just water? Do you put it in the dryer? I will be trying pillows for the first time. Thanks
Hi Debbie….thanks for the great questions. I do add a little laundry detergent when washing my drop clothes, but that is just my preference. I do put in the dryer but DO NOT dry completely. While still slightly damp, iron with iron on high to remove all wrinkles. You will have a beautiful smooth cloth ready for your pillow project. Good luck!
I used drop clothes to recover a love seat. I have a matching couch I’d like to do as well. I had trouble getting the cushions snug enough due to the fabric pulling apart. On one set of cushions I added interfacing to firm it up. It helped a good deal, but made it near impossible to run through my machine. Suggestions?
I’ve been buying 4 x 12 on sale for half price. Not certain what I’ll do with them yet! I’d like to try making winter clothing with it, what do you think? Have you ever made clothing with drop cloths?
I haven’t read if you wash the cloth in cold, warm or hot waster?
Hi Renee,
I just wash in cold water. Thank you for the question.
Wash and dry a couple of times in washer and dryer. It’s amazing the lint that comes out. Seal the bath tub drain. Plastic baggie and duct tape. Fill with hot water. Three quarts of bleach. Let sit for a few hours. Stir occasionally with a wooden stick. Drain tub. Transfer back to washer and wash a couple of times. First time with detergent. Put in dryer. You will have beautiful white, soft fabric. No ironing required. Have done this for years with no deterioration of fabric. Make sure it’s 100% cotton. I have a tall tub washer and can wash two 9 x 12 at a time.
I think you might be giving directions for how to work with burlap material?
Hi Pauline
Thanks for your question. Working with burlap is an entirely different process. I will do a post on it soon.
I appreciate you stopping by.
Best
BonBon
I would like to make covers for my outdoor furniture are any or the drop clothes
Waterproof. I made some out of towels and the dust gos right through them.
Hi Darlene
The drop cloths are not waterproof but some are very resistant to liquids. As far as dust goes the drop clothes do not allow the dust to go through in my experience. Look for a very tight woven drop cloth for the best results. Some are better than others
I hope this helps. Thanks for the question and stopping by.
BonBon
Do you think the drop cloths can be dyed a darker color?
Hi Marysue
Thank you for your question. I haven’t tried to dye the drop cloth but the drop cloth I recommended buying is a fabric weave that I believe would take the dye very well.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you try it.
Best
BonBon