How to Decorate a Piece of Carpet With Yarn Trim Binding

Turn a carpet scrap into a rug with yarn trim binding tape.

Save carpeting remnants or leftovers from a wall-to-wall carpeting installation and transform them into area rugs or small door mats. Apply yarn trim binding tape to the edges of a carpeting remnant to make a customized area rug or door mat. Yarn trim binding tape is available in a wide array of colors, enabling you to match the trim to the carpet color or select a color that complements the carpeting. Use the yarn trim binding tape to add stripes or a decorative border.

Things You'll Need

• Washable marker
• Carpet
• Box cutter
• Scissors
• Self-adhering yarn carpet binding tape
• Upholstery sewing needle
• Upholstery thread

Instructions

1. Place the carpet face down and use a marker to mark out the desired shape of the rug. Opt for a traditional square, rectangle, circle or oval, or select an irregular shape such as a heart or a fish.

2. Cut the carpet into the desired shape using a box cutter.

3. Unroll the strip of yarn trim and cut it to size. Cut four separate pieces of trim -- one for each side -- if you're working with a rectangular or square piece of carpet. Use one continuous piece of trim if you're working with a round, oval or irregular shaped rug.

4. Place the rug face-up and use water soluble marker to mark out the position of stripes that will extend across the carpeting. If you do not wish to add stripes, skip ahead to Step 6.

5. Apply the trim tape to the rug's surface, using the marks as a guide. Pull off the backing as you adhere it to the rug.

6. Place the rug face down and apply the trim to the edges of the rug, removing the backing as you go. Approximately one-third of the tape's width must be adhered to the back side of the rug.

7. Lift the edge of the carpet and wrap the yarn trim around the edge of the rug. Press down to adhere it to the edge of the carpeting. Work your way around the rug, securing the yarn binding to the perimeter of the rug.

8. Hand-sew the yarn binding tape to the carpet with an upholstery needle. Use a running stitch to sew along the point where the edge of the tape meets the carpet. If you've added stripes to the carpet, sew two parallel rows of stitching on the binding tape, just before the point where the trim meets the carpet.

9. Dampen a lint-free cloth and wipe away any traces of marker on the rug's surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Stand back and assess the shape that you've drawn onto the rug backing before you begin cutting. Irregularities tend to be more visible when observed from a distance of 10 or 15 feet.

• Self-adhering binding tape will stick to the carpet without stitching, but the stitches will prevent the trim from separating and pulling away from the carpet. The stitches are particularly important for rugs that will be placed in a high-traffic location.

• Always adhere the binding tape to the back side of the carpeting first. If you accidentally apply the tape at an angle, it's fairly easy to remove the tape from the carpet backing. The adhesive is strong and it's difficult to remove the tape from the carpet fibers.

• Add large buttons, appliques, ribbons and other decorative items to dress up the rug. Add decorative stitching or embroidery with a large upholstery needle and yarn.

References

• Fiber-Images.com: Free Hand Sewing Stitches Chart