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How to Make a Backdrop Out of a Drop Cloth

With the ever-increasing quality and availability of personal, digital cameras that produce incredible photo results, taking professional-grade pictures at home is easier than ever before. But, to make your photos appear as though they were taken at a photography studio, you̵7;ll need a few special items, such as props and backdrops. Create a professional-looking backdrop for $20 or less with a standard cloth or canvas drop cloth and some dye or paint and get studio-quality portraits of your loved ones for a fraction of the cost that professional photographers typically charge.

Things You'll Need

Cloth or canvas drop cloth
Fabric marker
Ruler
No-sew fusible tape
Iron
Ironing board
Fabric dye
Large bucket
Rubber gloves

Instructions

- 1
  Wash and dry the fabric drop cloth to soften stiff material and to remove hard creases or wrinkles.
- 2
  Determine which end of the cloth you want to be the top and draw a straight line all the way across the cloth using the fabric marker and ruler, 4 inches down from the top edge.
- 3
  Place a strip of no-sew fusible tape along the line you̵7;ve drawn and fold the cloth edge down onto the tape.
- 4
  Iron over the folded edge, along the covered tape strip, to bond the fabric together. This will create a lip to thread a backdrop pole or curtain rod through for hanging.
- 5
  Mix the fabric dye and hot water in a bucket, according to package instructions and dampen the cloth with some water.
- 6
  Put on the rubber gloves and dip the drop cloth into the bucket, swirling the cloth around with your hands or a wooden dowel to ensure even coverage, following dye instructions. Rinse the cloth once in warm water and again in cold water when finished.
- 7
  Allow the cloth to dry completely on a clothes line before using.

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