6. Canvas Drop Cloth and Rug Pad Mat
This is the workhorse. A canvas drop cloth is durable, neutral, and costs a fraction of nursery fabric, and pairing it with a non-slip rug pad gives you grip plus a little cushioning.
Materials: A cotton canvas drop cloth, a felt or rubber non-slip rug pad, fabric dye or paint if you want color, and a sewing machine or fusible hem tape.
Cut both the canvas and the pad to your playpen size, with the canvas an inch wider on every side. Layer them, fold the canvas over the pad’s edges, and either sew around the perimeter or fuse the hem with iron-on tape. If you want a design, use freezer-paper stencils and fabric paint before assembling — geometric lines, a simple rainbow arc, or your baby’s initial all work well.
Time: One to two hours. Difficulty: Beginner.
Canvas softens with every wash, so it starts out slightly crisp and gets better. Wash it alone the first few times, since new drop cloths can shed lint.