How to Bind the Carpet With Fabric

Use a brightly colored strip of fabric to bind off a white carpet remnant.

A carpeting scrap or remnant makes an excellent area rug once you bind off the edges. While it is possible to use premade binding strips to finish off a carpet, you can also use any type of sturdy, durable fabric to bind off the frayed edges. Burlap and canvas both give your carpet a long-lasting finish. Choose colors that contrast or otherwise complement your home décor or the theme of the room.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Fabric
• Iron
• Hot glue gun

Instructions

1. Trim the edges of the carpet remnant using a sturdy pair of scissors.

2. Measure each edge of the carpet and add 2 inches to each edge.

3. Cut a number of 3-inch-wide fabric strips equal to the number of sides on your carpet remnant, equal in length to the measurements you found in Step 2.

4. Fold down the long edges of each strip, creating a fold that is ½ inch deep, and iron the fold flat.

5. Fold down the short edges of each strip, creating a fold that is 1 inch deep, and iron the fold flat. These folds should be made toward the same side as the fold you made in Step 4.

6. Apply a line of hot glue to the top side of the carpet remnant, along one edge. The line of glue should be placed ½ inch from the edge of the carpet.

7. Press the fabric strip with a length that corresponds to that edge to the glue, lining up the long edge with the edge of the carpet remnant. The folded raw edges of the strip should be facing up.

8. Allow the hot glue to dry completely.

9. Fold the loose edge of the fabric strip over the edge of the fabric to the back, creating a finished edge.

10. Secure the long, loose edge of the fabric strip to the back of the carpet remnant using a line of hot glue.

11. Repeat Steps 6 through 10 to the other edges of the carpet, overlapping the strips at the corners.

Tips & Warnings

• Use wide grosgrain ribbon for the edging instead of fabric. Ribbon does not need to have the long edges finished and may be used straight off the spool.

• Use scissors made specifically for cutting carpeting or an old set of scissors that you won’t worry about blunting. Carpet is sturdy and can ruin the edge of scissors made for more delicate work.

References

• Carpet Rug: Carpet Terms
• Sophisticated Edge: How to Sew a Carpet Seam