How to Make a Braided Rug from Plastic Bags

Plastic bags are everywhere! Even if you refuse them at the store, they still seem to pop up in one form or another. You can use plastic bag material to create useful and pretty rugs for the bathroom, kitchen or even the doorstep.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scissors
• Plastic bags of various colors
• Fishing line or dental floss

1. Cut off the top and bottoms of plastic bags, leaving a rectangle.

2. From this rectangle, cut strips about 2 inches wide and as long as possible.

3. Holding three strips together, tie the ends together and fasten to a chair back or something, then begin to braid them.

4. Add more strips as necessary, working them into the braid.

5. When you have several feet of braid, begin to shape it into a flat rug and lace it together with fishing line or dental floss.

Tips & Warnings

• Use colors randomly or make a pattern with them
• Wash with warm water and hang to dry
• Don't pull the lacing too tight or the rug will pucker
• Only use one kind of plastic in a rug. If you mix them, the rug will be uneven.

[rainandshine]

on 3/22/2009 Wonderful idea to use up those bags in an environmental friendly way! Thanks Peavey! Kim

[peavey]

on 9/1/2008 Bailey, besides using them to make braided rugs, some people crochet with the strips, making all sorts of things like doilies and shopping bags.

[sixstring2slim]

on 7/6/2008 Ok? I wish I could see what it looks like.. I get the newspaper everyday and it comes in a light colorful blue , red. yellow, thin plastic bags... I save them becauae they look like County fair and Cotton Candy, Have any ideas how to make something useful or artisitic out of them? Good Stuff here Peavey! ~Bailey