For those of you who spend a lot of time standing in your kitchen, a cushioned floor mat is a nice treat. We spotted this how-to project on Martha Stewart's website. Essentially, you layer 4 to 7 pieces of felt to make the mat. Imagine the fun you could have with layering different colored felt...
The directions sound simple enough, requiring only a straightedge, rotary cutter, felt pieces, fusible webbing, and an iron. Head over to Martha's page for the specific directions.
Has anyone tried this project?
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Comments (9)
I like the idea, but it seems like this would be filthy immediately, and perhaps not withstand cleaning very well.
felted fabrics can be really highly washable, and I like that...and of course using felted sweaters gives it a re usability factor, but I would really prefer to sew this rather than fuse it because washing would be a necessity in my kitchen.
I'm right there with you on the whole cleanliness issue. I could see creating a hot pad or placements using the same concept but with fewer layers and possibly in multiple colors instead.
Looking at the picture, it appears that Martha used the extra thick wool felt, as her individual layers are quite thick. Based in the prices that I have been able to find online, this mat would cost $100 to $200 to make. See possible source here:http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6093776
Wool felt shrinks when laundered, so washing this mat would be a little dicey. You could use acrylic craft felt from the chain stores, but you'd need a lot more layers, ironing the project together the acrylic would melt onto the iron, and it would still not be really washable.
There are so many bright and decorative cushioned mats that are designed for kitchen use, I think it would be a better use of time and money to skip this project. I'll bet Martha doesn't use mats like these in her kitchen
I keep meaning to buy one of <A href="http://www.gelpro.com/">these gel mats, but never get around to it. They're available in a shedload of different colors and textures (I love the red crocodile!). They probably clean up a lot easier than felt, and are less likely to be shredded by a spazzy dog.
The pro gel mats are the best. This looks cute, but not in the kitchen.
Who in the world would think of a felt mat in the kitchen. I guess these folk have enough money to dispose of them weekly, because spending the water, detergent and dryer energy to keep these clean would be the highest folly humanely possible. The longer between washing the harder to keep clean and maintain, not to mention the end results. You'll be sanding on soft mushy marbles.
Why not just buy a rubber floor mat at a restaurant/kitchen supply store? They are much better on your back and easily cleanable.
I was thinking about using ecofelt and trying this for a bathroom floor mat. I figure it wouldnt get dirty often, made of recycled PET it could be easily laundered and hung up to dry very quickly (unlike wool felt) AND i could make it in a coordinating color with the fabric screen tutorial listed a while ago! Any reason this wouldn't work well as a bathroom mat? Especially if the layers were sewn together?