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Dukes and Duchesses

Dallas Fort Worth Creative Lifestyle Blogger

creative projects painting · Written by Randi Dukes

DIY Weighted Dropcloth Picnic Blanket

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This dropcloth picnic blanket project is part of a sponsored post for Grass Seed USA as part of the Mom It Forward Influencer Network.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love springtime where I live.  The trees become lush, the flowers start blooming, and the grass becomes green again after a brown winter.  Before it gets crazy hot {as it definitely will!}, I love to plan a picnic or two.  This DIY weighted dropcloth picnic blanket is the perfect thing to grab and go!  It’s big enough for a pile of people, the gingham screams picnic, and it’s the perfect way to set up a picnic on the lawn!

DIY weighted dropcloth picnic blanket

To make a weighted picnic blanket, you’ll need a large dropcloth {I used a 6×9 foot cloth from the hardware store}, wide painter’s tape, red spray paint {I used about four cans for the gingham pattern on this blanket}, and four large washers.

supplies to make DIY picnic blanket

Lay the dropcloth flat on the ground and use the painter’s tape to create stripes across it.  I used the tape width as markers between each stripe so the stripes would all be uniform.

Once taped off, I spray painted the entire cloth with red paint.  When it was dry, I removed the tape and taped the entire cloth the opposite way, perpendicular to the first set of stripes, and spray painted again then removed the tape once dry.

taped lines to make gingham picnic blanket

The final step was the addition of weights.  No one wants the picnic blanket lifting up and blowing around so I hot glued large, heavy washers on the back of each corner to weigh it down.

weighed corner on DIY picnic blanket

That’s all there is to it!  Now we have a large gingham picnic blanket that’s perfect for our big family!

gingham picnic blanket made from a dropcloth

We tested it out with a simple backyard picnic!  We kicked off our shoes and settled in.  Don’t you love the feeling of of cool grass on your feet on a warm day?  It’s a feeling that takes me back to childhood!  Did you know that grass actually has a natural cooling effect?  On hot days, grass is much cooler than asphalt, cement, and dirt, which trap heat.  A study done at Mississippi State University showed that when the temperature of a sidewalk is 100 degrees, the temperature of the lawn next to it will be 75 degrees.  That’s great news for our Texas summers and another great reason to have a picnic!

natural grass

I like to keep picnics easy and our picnics often have storebought goodies that we grab on the way.  Lemonade is a must but I also love to pack a baguette, some good cheese, a roll of summer sausage, and cookies. 

outdoor picnic for summer

You really can’t go wrong with anything you pack because the best part of the picnic is being outside and enjoying lying around on the lawn.

how to pack a picnic

In addition to the beauty and functionality of grassy areas, they’re also naturally calming and stress relieving.

DIY gingham painted picnic blanket

The visual appeal also contributes to improved mental health.  Pretty great reasons to have a picnic, right?  Make your own DIY picnic blanket and head outdoors!

backyard picnic with DIY blanket

What’s your favorite outdoor activity?


8 Comments

About Randi Dukes

I’m Randi, a Dallas-based mom of five kids, ranging from third grade to college and including a set of twins. I love strong coffee, craft and DIY projects, my planner, and my big ol’ family. When I’m not creating something for my blog, I can be found in the car, running kids from one place to another. I’m the one knitting at the red light. Connect with me on google+ | twitter | facebook

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Comments

  1. Cheryl says

    April 5, 2017 at 10:43 am

    Love a picnic and love this cloth!

    Reply
  2. Alice says

    April 5, 2017 at 10:40 pm

    That is such a clever and cute idea! Well done!
    Smiles, alice

    Reply
  3. Laura says

    April 5, 2017 at 10:53 pm

    This is so pretty!!! I am going to make one. You are so creative ?

    Reply
  4. Sara @ finditfixitorbuildit.com says

    April 7, 2017 at 7:16 pm

    That turned out great! So pretty:) The snow is finally starting to melt here in Alaska and pretty soon we’ll be able to start having picnics again…I can’t wait. Thanks for sharing this with us at the Home Matters Link Party, hope to see you again next week:) #HomeMattersParty

    Reply
  5. Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says

    April 7, 2017 at 9:31 pm

    Great idea to make it weighted. Will have to remember that! Love the gingham pattern. Visiting from Creative Collection party.

    Reply
  6. Lexi @That Fit Fam says

    April 7, 2017 at 11:48 pm

    I love everything about this! I have been searching the internet the last couple days trying to find the ideal picnic blanket! I love the idea of making my own, PLUS making it weighted is GENIUS! thank you!

    Reply
  7. Julie says

    April 9, 2017 at 5:36 am

    I feel like I’ve been missing out for years – weights on a picnic blanket ! It seems so obvious now you say it – why on earth didn’t I think of that. I’m going to add weighs to our blankets right now.
    I love your painted drop cloth idea too of course but we already have a couple of lovely but not weighted blankets.
    Honestly my mind is blown!

    Reply
  8. Leanna says

    April 11, 2017 at 7:21 pm

    Love this idea. Pinning as I will be making one for outside. Beautiful job.

    Reply

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Welcome to Dukes & Duchesses!

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I’m Randi, a mom of five living in Dallas. I love strong coffee, long lists, bright colors, thrift stores, repurposed junk, and power tools.

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