Make a Rag Rug

There are several methods of recycling old rags or torn clothing into rugs. Why not be eco-friendly, resourceful, and creative all in one go? Here are instructions for hooking, machine sewing, and braiding your soon-to-be rug.

Steps

Hooked Rug

  1. Obtain canvas webbing with a minimum of 1/4 inch openings. This is available in larger opening sizes as well from most sewing and craft stores. Most will have canvas webbing with drawn-on patterns to guide your color choices.
    • If you buy a kit, it'll show and/or give you everything you need. Just follow the directions on the box when it comes to choosing a hook and fabric.
  2. Cut your fabric into pieces. The size you choose will depend on your webbing. If you can, be e-co friendly by using recycled fabrics such as old clothing. Cut them into strips that are a maximum of 1/2" (1.25 cm) in width and 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) in length. Keeping the lengths uniform results in a smooth "pile" for your rug.
    • Trimming later is time consuming and more difficult than cutting to uniform length at this point. Once you cut one, just use it as a prototype and match the rest.
  3. Sketch the design you want onto the canvas mesh. That is, of course, if the canvas didn't come with a pattern on it already. Permanent markers work well for this; just take care not to get marker on any surface underneath the canvas.
    • Having a pattern isn't necessary. If you'd like to create an abstract masterpiece, go right ahead! It'll be just as beautiful.
  4. Hook your rag strips onto the canvas in the manner of a hooked rug. In a couple of hours, you'll have a new rug all your own. Ta da! No glue, sewing machine, or real skill required.

Sewn Rug

  1. Cut your fabric into strips that are the width of your finished rug. This method will be assuming you're making a fairly standard rectangular rug. However, it's up to you whether or not you want a fringe on the edge.
    • If you have some rags you'd like to use but are too short, just sew 'em together! The beauty of the rag rug is in the idiosyncrasies, not the perfections.
  2. Pull the ends of the strips slightly to make them curl along their long edges. This gives your rag rug volume, texture, and character. Who knew a rug could have character? Well, yours will, that's for sure.
  3. Lay the slightly curled strips side by side with their ends even. Do this now to see how the colors and patterns line up. You may not like how the shades frame each other and need to adjust before you make everything permanent.
  4. Machine stitch the strips together perpendicular to the lay of the strips. That's right; perpendicular. This makes the rug sturdy and gives it interesting visual lines.
    • Though you could sew away throwing caution to the wind, you may want to keep your lines evenly spaced. Every 1" - 1 1/2" (2.5-3.75 cm) is ideal.
  5. Sew parallel lines, too. You may have some edges that look like they need to be shown their place; in that case, turn your rug 90 degrees and start sewing parallel lines. These can be spaced at your discretion.
    • You can have lines as little as 1/4" (.6 cm) apart. If you think it looks good, go for it. But if you have lines that are 6" (15 cm) apart, know that your rug risks falling apart a bit more, since it's lacking structure.

Braided Rug

  1. Cut your fabric into strips of equal width. Somewhere around 3" (7.5 cm) is perfect. You'll need what can only be called "loads" of fabric, so cut strips that are as long as possible. You'll only know if you need more fabric at the very end, once the rug is coiled together and the size becomes apparent.
    • Different fabrics will braid differently. Because you're braiding, it's easy to add more fabric if you've run out and your rug still isn't big enough. So don't fret! You'll cross that bridge when you come to it.
  2. Sew all the strips end to end to make three long strips. Don't worry about the colors or material matching -- you just need three super long strips to work with.
    • Once you have your strips consolidated into three mega-strips, hand or machine sew the three short ends at the top together. This will be the simplest starting point.
  3. Braid the strips together tightly. This'll be easiest if you can devise a way to hang the strips so you can stand while braiding your feet upon feet of fabric. A clothespin will be handy in keeping the braid together.
    • Braid it tightly! You don't want holes in your rug, do you?
  4. Once you reach the end, coil up the braid. Start from the beginning and spiral out. If the rug is big enough, great! You're finished with braiding and can move onto sewing it into its circular shape. If it's not big enough, simply sew on a few more fabric strips to elongate your three master strips and continue the braiding process.
    • You don't necessarily have to coil it up and make a circle rug, but it's definitely easy and looks neat. A snake-like rectangle works, too, but takes a bit more sewing mastery on the edges.
    • If you had to join on a few more strips, continue braiding until you reach the new ends. Coil it up once more -- is it large enough now? Great! Moving on.
  5. Sew the finished braids together. Uncoil the rug and work from the very center. Sew along the inside edges to join the braid with the length of fabric that surrounds it, going around and around and around. Coil up your rug as you go, following with your string.
    • You may have to make some reinforcements once you've finished. The beauty of the rag rug is that none of these will be seen! As long as you sew on the insides, you're golden. Just add a few touch ups here and there in the same demeanor you did initially. Et voila!



Tips

  • Select your fabrics. It is best to fashion each rug from only one type of fabric. Mixing types of fabric (wool with cotton knit, for example) "can" be done, but will result in uneven and patchy finished results.
  • Cut all fabrics to the necessary size. It is easier to do this before construction than after.
  • Launder all fabrics to be used. Launder in hot water and dry on hot, so that all shrinking will have occurred before the fabric is incorporated into the rug.
    • Note: When selecting colors, it is wise not to use colors that will "run" when laundered. It is also advisable to color coordinate the colors pre-sewing for a cohesive look when finished.
  • Weaving a rag rug and crocheting a rag rug have their own pages -- refer to those for two more methods.

Warnings

  • Scissors and needles are sharp. Handle with appropriate care.

Things You'll Need

  • Scrap cloth or rags
  • Scissors
  • Ruler
  • Sewing Machine (if applicable)

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Sources and Citations

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