How to Make an Area Rug From a Remnant

Carpet remnants can be cut and bound to create an area rug.

Locating the right area rug may be impossible when the needed size is not a standard one. Carpet remnants can be used to create the right sized rug. Remnants can come from home or carpet stores, general contractors or even the right yard sale. Area rugs are simple to make using a tape measure and a sharp mat or carpet knife. Bind the edges to create a tailored, professional look or leave them unbound for a more casual appearance.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Carpet remnant
• Mat or carpet knife
• Kraft paper
• Wide masking or packing tape
• Instant binding cord (optional)
• Tape measure
• Straight edge tool
• Marking pen – wide tip

1. Create a template for the area rug using kraft paper or paper grocery bags, cut and flattened. Lay the paper on the floor as if it were the rug. Cut and tape (use wide masking or packing tape) as needed to create the best size for a rectangular or square rug. Use a tape measure to measure the final size. Record the rug dimensions.

2. With rug measurements and a tape measure in hand, begin looking for the best carpet remnant. Carpet and remodeling centers sell remnants. Use the tape measure to make sure the remnant is the right size or larger than what is needed.

3. Lay the remnant face down on a driveway or other concrete surface. Place cardboard (boxes can be cut to fit this requirement) underneath the remnant to protect the blade from dulling too quickly and to keep the remnant clean while working.

4. Lay the template on the back of the carpet and mark the dimensions on the backing using a marking pen (wide-tipped pens work best). Use a clean, straight carpet edge as one edge of the rug and line up the template from there.

5. Cut the area rug from the remnant using a carpet knife and a straight edge (straight edges are flat, metal rulers at least three feet in length). Always cut from the back of the carpet; this makes it much easier to see the blade and keep the lines straight.

6. Turn the rug over. With scissors in hand, inspect the edges and snip away any loose carpet yarn or backing fibers.

7. Bind the area rug's edges using instant binding cord. Instant binding cord has a sticky tape attached that adheres to the carpet backing as the cord is wrapped around the edges of the area rug. Then place a bead of hot glue between the cord and the rug edge to permanently attach the two together.

References

• American Chronicle; “Designing A Rug That Really Remakes A Room”; Veronica Smith: April 23, 2010
• Sailrite Acrylic Carpet Binding