How to Make a Braided Rug Out of Bed Sheets

Old bed sheets can be made into a rug.

Old, tattered and even stained bed sheets look fresh and new again when they are braided into a traditional rag rug. If you already have the sheets, this thrifty project doesn't cost anything but your time to make. It also doesn't require any special skills. If you can braid hair and sew a basic running stitch, you can make a brand new rug in an afternoon. Customize the rug by choosing colors that match your decor.

Things You'll Need

• 3 flat full-size bed sheets
• Cloth measuring tape
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Needle
• Thread
• Safety pin
• Ironing board with a cover

Instructions

Prepare the Fabric

1. Lay a sheet on a flat work surface. Measure along one edge with the cloth measuring tape and mark every inch in pencil.

2. Cut a small slit at each pencil mark with scissors.

3. Rip the sheet into strips, starting at each slit in the end. The strips will be straight because you are ripping them along the grain of the fabric. Cut off any stained pieces or pieces with holes.

4. Roll the strips into one large ball. When you reach the end of one strip, cut a 1/2-inch slit about 1 inch from the end. Cut a similar slit in the next strip and pull it through the slit in the first. Then pull the tail of the second slit through its own slit and pull it tight to connect it to the ball. Repeat until every strip is attached and rolled into the ball.

5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 for the other two sheets.

Braid the Fabric

1. Unroll about 1 foot from each ball of fabric, and stack the strips on top of each other.

2. Thread a needle with about 6 inches of thread and tie a knot. Sew the ends of the three strips together using any stitch you want. The stitches will not show on the final rug, so you don't have to be very careful about how they look.

3. Attach the sewn edge of the strips to an ironing board cover with a safety pin. Adjust the ironing board to be at a comfortable standing height.

4. Braid the three strips together as you would braid hair. Pull the left strip over the middle strip to become the new middle strip. Then pull the right strip over the middle strip to become the new middle strip. Continue in this manner until you reach the end of one of the balls of fabric.

5. Cut any excess fabric and sew the end of the braid closed as you did for the beginning of the braid. Remove the safety pin.

Sew the Rug Together

1. Place the braid on a flat work surface large enough to accommodate it. Place it on the floor if you don't have a table large enough.

2. Thread a needle with about 4 feet of thread. Tie a knot in the end.

3. Insert the needle in one end of the braid, hiding the knot between the strips of fabric.

4. Fold the end of the braid over 1/2 inch and roll the fabric into a coil like a cinnamon bun. As you go, sew the edges together with a basic running stitch. When you reach the end of the braid, fold the last 1/2 inch over and sew it securely in place.

Tips & Warnings

• As you work, make sure the rug remains flat.

• Use larger sheets or more sheets for a larger rug.

Resources

• Stitch with the Embroiderers' Guild: Running Stitch