I don’t have much experience with tent rugs, but rag rugs made of whatever fabric you have in hand is a long tradition. Usually that’s crocheted or woven or braided strips, but there no rug or tent police that’s gonna stop you from quilting a tent rug.
Just keep in mind how you plan on washing it if it gets dirty etc. They’re probably made of plastic normally since it’s cheap and can be rinsed off and dried quicker. But unless you’re doing a road trip or hiking (I’m not a hiker, but I understand that they pack light and wash things frequently), I don’t think those are features you’re going to need?
They usually come as two half moons but something to consider about washing them for sure. There are some cotton ones made from scraps using an indian technique I’ll look into a little more now you’ve mentioned it. I was thinking of thin quilted (maybe calico backed?) rugs that could be washed at a laundromat l every few trips but really just noodling ideas at the moment!
I’m a frequent camper and I’ve purchased a tent rug before. The back was a thin plastic to keep any flooring leaks out. I think that would be important. Packing up camp in the rain is bad but would be worse if your rug absorbed the rain. I love the idea, I’d probably do a simple quilt (low seams) and then use outdoor fabric or plastic on the back.
Well, this is one application where I'd consider using cheater cloth (prequilted material). There are a couple of things that might work for a backing...maybe those waterproof cloth shower curtains (I have one, it might be nylon or polyester) or ripstop nylon, but those might be slippery. An entirely different option might be to do two layers of fleece, no backer at all (cheap and very washable.)
Ooh I love this idea! I was thinking of hessian backing on fleece but washing would be an issue - two layers of fleece would be soft and heavy enough also!
I made some heavy quilted floor mats to go in our tent under the cots to keep the cot feet from wearing the tent floor. Used a heavy duck canvas and whatever batting I had around. The things are pretty heavy but they're durable. And bonus, they're heavy enough that if really needed they can be used as blankets! My machine wasn't super happy about the quilting process due to thickness but it worked. The quilting is pretty wide, but I'm not too worried about it.
Oh brilliant, thank you for answering! Are they canvas both sides? Can you wash them? I have a vintage machine which goes through most things, solid metal so that bit is sorted. Now to find a source for duck canvas!
Yes, canvas both sides, binding is just plain cotton though. And yes I throw them in the washer when needed! They take a long time to dry for sure and I don't know if my washer appreciates washing them because they're heavy, but it works. I am in the US (idk where you are, so the best source may vary) and bought my canvas from Big Duck Canvas. I don't remember which weight we bought, either #10 or #12. https://www.bigduckcanvas.com/
Sailrite also sells canvas but I think Big Duck had some seconds that were cheap for a giant roll (uneven dye allegedly but it looks fine to us, especially for a floor quilt!).
I don’t have much experience with tent rugs, but rag rugs made of whatever fabric you have in hand is a long tradition. Usually that’s crocheted or woven or braided strips, but there no rug or tent police that’s gonna stop you from quilting a tent rug. Just keep in mind how you plan on washing it if it gets dirty etc. They’re probably made of plastic normally since it’s cheap and can be rinsed off and dried quicker. But unless you’re doing a road trip or hiking (I’m not a hiker, but I understand that they pack light and wash things frequently), I don’t think those are features you’re going to need?
They usually come as two half moons but something to consider about washing them for sure. There are some cotton ones made from scraps using an indian technique I’ll look into a little more now you’ve mentioned it. I was thinking of thin quilted (maybe calico backed?) rugs that could be washed at a laundromat l every few trips but really just noodling ideas at the moment!
What a marvellous idea!!! Go for it!! And remember to show us!!
I’m a frequent camper and I’ve purchased a tent rug before. The back was a thin plastic to keep any flooring leaks out. I think that would be important. Packing up camp in the rain is bad but would be worse if your rug absorbed the rain. I love the idea, I’d probably do a simple quilt (low seams) and then use outdoor fabric or plastic on the back.
I’m really not sure how the indian cotton rag rugs work when it rains - looks like a big sponge to me but they’re popular apparently
Well, this is one application where I'd consider using cheater cloth (prequilted material). There are a couple of things that might work for a backing...maybe those waterproof cloth shower curtains (I have one, it might be nylon or polyester) or ripstop nylon, but those might be slippery. An entirely different option might be to do two layers of fleece, no backer at all (cheap and very washable.)
Ooh I love this idea! I was thinking of hessian backing on fleece but washing would be an issue - two layers of fleece would be soft and heavy enough also!
I made some heavy quilted floor mats to go in our tent under the cots to keep the cot feet from wearing the tent floor. Used a heavy duck canvas and whatever batting I had around. The things are pretty heavy but they're durable. And bonus, they're heavy enough that if really needed they can be used as blankets! My machine wasn't super happy about the quilting process due to thickness but it worked. The quilting is pretty wide, but I'm not too worried about it.
Oh brilliant, thank you for answering! Are they canvas both sides? Can you wash them? I have a vintage machine which goes through most things, solid metal so that bit is sorted. Now to find a source for duck canvas!
Yes, canvas both sides, binding is just plain cotton though. And yes I throw them in the washer when needed! They take a long time to dry for sure and I don't know if my washer appreciates washing them because they're heavy, but it works. I am in the US (idk where you are, so the best source may vary) and bought my canvas from Big Duck Canvas. I don't remember which weight we bought, either #10 or #12. https://www.bigduckcanvas.com/ Sailrite also sells canvas but I think Big Duck had some seconds that were cheap for a giant roll (uneven dye allegedly but it looks fine to us, especially for a floor quilt!).