Modern Floor Cloth

December 3, 2018 Stacy Schlyer

When it comes to changing up home decor, don’t forget the floor! Adding a floor cloth to your entryway, kitchen, bedroom, or even the bathroom can coordinate your look and transform a room. This modern looking design can fit in with any style and is simple to make. Plus, it’s easy to change the size of your cloth just by adding more blocks. Finished size 22 1/2 x 30″.

Materials to make the Modern Floor Cloth:

4 or more 1/4 yard cuts of fabric
3/4 yard of fabric for backing (for a longer lasting rug, it’s recommended that a durable fabric such as twill is used so that the rug holds up better over time)
Patchwork foot #37 for sewing 1/4″ seams
Rotary Cutter & Mat
Ruler
Thread to match
Hand sewing needle
Wonder Clips (Optional)
3/4 yard of batting or fusible fleece (Optional but recommended. Adding batting makes the rug “softer” which is especially useful if you plan on standing on it for periods of time, like when you’re in the kitchen. If making your floor cloth for the bathroom consider using an absorbent interlining layer such as those used in diaper making instead).

Cutting the fabric for the Modern Floor Cloth

From batting, cut 23″ x 30 1/2″ rectangle
From backing fabric, cut 23″ x 30 1/2″ rectangle
For each block (cut a total of 12 blocks):
- For 1st Fabric:
  - cut 2″ square
  - cut 2, 2″ x 5″ rectangles
  - cut 2, 2″ x 8″ rectangles
- For 2nd Fabric:
  - cut 2, 2″ squares
  - cut 2, 2″ x 5″ rectangles

Sewing a Modern Floor Cloth block:

All seams 1/4″ seam allowance.

With right sides together, sew the 2, 2″ squares of the 2nd fabric on both sides of the 2″ square of the 1st fabric. Press the seams so that they are toward the 2nd fabric.

With right sides together sew the 2, 2″ x 5″ rectangles of the 2nd fabric to the top and bottom of the piece that you just sewed. Press the seams so that they are toward the 2nd fabric. You should have what looks like a small square nestled inside a larger square.

With right sides together, sew the 2, 2″ x 5″ rectangles of the 1st fabric to the sides of the piece you just sewed. Press the seams so that they are toward the 1st fabric.

With right sides together, sew the 2, 2″ x 8″ rectangle of the 1st fabric to the top and bottom of the piece that you just sewed. Press the seams so that they are toward the 1st fabric. You should now have what looks like a square within a square, within a square! Your first block is now complete, repeat this 11 more times so that you have a total of 12 blocks.

Sewing the Modern Floor Cloth blocks together:

Blocks should be arranged so that there are 4 blocks in each row; 3 rows total. With right sides together, sew each row of blocks at the sides. Repeat for remaining 2 rows.

Tip: To keep from having to match so many seams, rotate every other block.

With right sides together sew the rows together, matching seams.

Tip for accurate seam matching: When sewing the rows together, place a pin in the seam allowance of the first block, then through the seam allowance of the second block, then pin together. Be sure to remove the pins right before your machine’s needle hits the pin as sewing over pins can damage your machine.

Finishing the Modern Floor Cloth:

If using batting or fusible fleece: Place the batting\fusible fleece on the wrong on floor cloth top. Baste or iron in place (fusible).

With right sides together, place the floor cloth top (with batting, if applicable) with the backing fabric. If material is thick, use Wonder Clips to hold in place.