DIY: Rag Rugs
Handmade rag rugs were common in most homes in the United States before the era of mass production. These colorful and functional home accessories grew out of the once-common belief that nothing should be wasted, and that fabric, clothing, curtains, bed linens and other items could enjoy a second life when sewn into a rug. During the pioneering era, rag rugs were also used to help keep settlers warm as they traveled in cold and inclement weather in covered wagons, carts and open sleighs. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Rags and fabric scraps
- Fabric scissors
- Door knob or spindle
- Straight pins
- Paper and pencil
- Heavy-duty needles
- Heavy-duty thread
- Thimble
- Double-sided masking tape
Instructions
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1
Select materials for your rag rug. Durable fabrics such as cottons, cotton blends and denims are best for rugs that will see a lot of foot traffic and need frequent washing.
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Wash and dry your rags together before braiding. This will help you identify and discard any materials that are prone to color-bleed or shrink.
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3
Cut fabric into long strips at least 2 inches wide. Select three strips of staggered lengths. Tie them together at one end, leaving a fringe of about 2 inches.
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Tie the three-strand strip to a doorknob or spindle. This will hold the fabric secure while you braid it.
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Cut out three small squares of paper. Label them 1, 2 and 3. Pin the first square to the strip of fabric on the left. Pin the second square to the middle strip and the third square to the strip of fabric on the right.
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Begin braiding your rag rug. Pull strip 3 over the center strip. Pull strip 1 over strips 2 and 3. Continue braiding, alternating the strips over and under until you near the end of the shortest strip.
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Pin your braid together while you cut three more strips of fabric with staggered lengths. Sew each length to a strip in your braid. Release the pin and continue braiding.
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Continue adding fabric strips and braiding them together until your braid is about 9 feet long, or at any point in the process where the braid is inconveniently long to manage.
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Stop braiding periodically to assess the size of your rug. Position the braid in a spiral on a flat surface to determine its diameter for a round rug. Lay the trimmed strips flat to measure for a rectangular rug.
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Stitch the finished rug together when you've reached the size you want. Begin at the spiral center. Use a simple zig-zag stitch pattern to connect each braided round or rectangular strip.
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Snip the original fringed end off, leaving about 1/2 inch below the knot. Release the knot and stitch the unbraided material under neatly.
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Tips & Warnings
Use double-sided masking tape to hold a spiral together if you have difficulty stitching the loose braid evenly.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
