Binding a Carpet Remnant

Transform an inexpensive carpet remnant into an area rug.

Wall-to-wall carpeting is convenient, provides a soft walking surface, a comfortable place for children to play and helps to insulate the floor and keep bare feet from getting cold. But, sometimes a design cries out for a central rug as the focal point. Unfortunately, rugs can be expensive, especially ones for oddly shaped areas. Instead of buying a rug, use a carpet remnant in the appropriate color and finish it by binding the edges for an inexpensive alternative.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• 2-inch carpet binding
• Heavy-duty thread
• Carpet needle
• Iron

Instructions

1. Trim the fibers to create a 1/2-inch-wide border, free of carpet fibers, all the way around a carpet remnant with scissors. Remove as many of the loose fibers as you can to expose the carpet backing.

2. Place the binding tape snugged up against the untrimmed carpet fibers on the rug remnant. Thread the carpet needle with heavy-duty thread in a matching color to your binding. Hand sew the top of the binding tape all the way around the carpet remnant using a whip stitch. Overlap the beginning of the binding tape by 1/2 inch with the end of the binding tape after you've finished the sewing the binding tape to the top of the carpet. Cut the excess away.

3. Fold the carpet binding tape under the edge of the rug remnant allowing a fold to extend 1/4 inch past the edge of the carpet backing.

4. Sew the back edge of the carpet tape onto the backing of the carpet using the same whip stitch.

5. Iron the fold line flat.

Tips & Warnings

• Carefully fold the tape around the corners.

• There are hot-glued rug binding products available that might be easier to apply and suit your needs if you only are intending to use the carpet for a limited time.

• Use a thimble to spare your fingertips from pushing the needle through the carpet backing.

Resources

• Wardrobe: Hand Stitches