DIY Rug from old clothes (2 Rag-rug tutorials)

Braiding fabric pieces cut out from rags (old useless clothes) and then sewing them into rugs – this can use up the old clothes leftover after you have grown out of them or the fashion has! This is one recycling project that you can try to be as sustainable as possible in your fashion choices. The beautiful texture of a rag rug and the creative possibility of making interesting patterns is well worth the time you take to make these easy-to-make rag rugs. These easy-to-make rag rugs not only upcycle old textiles but also allow you to create something both functional and artistic.

What do you need to make rag rugs?

To make a rag rug you do not need many things  – some rags to cut up and some sewing chops. All the things needed for sewing are most probably in your sewing box.

You can tear up long strips from rags (from old clothes including jeans, t-shirts, old bedsheets, old curtains) or cut them carefully with scissors – your choice; Just ensure that all the rags that you are using are of the same (more or less) weight. You can use cotton strips or strips cut from old t-shirts or wool fabric strips. Experts always advice to cut the cotton fabric strips in the bias direction – this gives flexibility when you make the rug. I didn’t. I tore left over fabric from old sewing projects in the lengthwise direction.

If you are using new fabric to make your rag rug, do prewash the fabrics to prevent shrinking after it is made and washed. Cut wool and other heavy-weight fabrics into 1-1/2 inch strips; If you are cutting old jeans cut 1 1/2 inch wide strips not more than that; You can cut Cotton into 2 1/5 to 3 inches wide strips. 

If you decide to hand sew, you will need a thick needle or a semi circular needle and Heavy crochet cotton thread/ buttonhole twist thread/linen or cotton cording.

Using the sewing machine to sew the braids together is a much easier way to make these rugs though hand sewing is a better look because you will be sewing on the back and the stitches are not visible on the front.

DIY ROPE RUG FROM RAGS 

Do you have lots of un-donatable clothes which you still do not want to dump in the landfills – these rope rugs are the best project for making use of them

There is one thing though – you need lots of patience for making it and the time. I re-watched some episodes of my favourite korean webseries while making it, so wasn’t bothered with the time or anything. To make a big rug I would have to watch the whole series.

What do you need to make the Rope Rug?

• Coir rope or whatever rope you have
• Fabric remenants from old clothes cut into 1 inch or so strips (all should be of the same width, but can be different in length)
• A plastic needle with large hole (usually found in a knitting kit)

The fabric strips can be any length – you will be joining them to the working fabric strip as you make the rug, so need to bother about the length. If you have a pattern in mind you can cut the fabric strips as you work and join

How to make the Rope-fabric scrap rug

Step 1.

Coil the rope into a round and tie in place.

Step 2

Start to coil the fabric strip over the look. Ensure that the right side of the fabric strip is outside and it is not twisting on itself.

When you reach the junction of the round loop thread the other end of your fabric strip.

Step 3

There is special stitching that you should do to keep the coils of the rope together- this is done with the fabric strip and the needle

After the first loop is covered with the fabric, and you start coiling the rope over the first one, then you should start the looping/stitching or whatever you call it

First you will be taking the needle through the middle hole and bring the rope to the first layer with this.

After this make one single twist over the rope (Picture below).

Again take the needle through the hole and over the rope.

Step 4

When you have moved past 2 layers of rope you should insert the needle from the back as in the picture below to stitch the layers together. 

After doing this twist the strip over the rope on its own ; then continue making one stitch as earlier.

Step 5

When you reach the end of your fabric strip you will have to join other fabric strip to this; Stitching it is tedious. A simple way is to knot it like this –

Make small holes on the two fabric strips

Keep the new strip on top of the fabric strip on your rug. ALign the holes

Thread a needle on the other end of the new fabric strip

Insert the needle from the bottom through the hole

Tighten the knot – this will join the fabric strips somewhat neatly without sewing 

Step 6

Continue stitching the strips through the coils of the rope – one stitch through the layer of rope below and then one coil on the top rope and then again one stitch.

Continue round and round till the whole thing is finished

How to braid the rag-rug

The most common braid is made using 3 strands. Here is a detailed tutorial to make a 3 strand braid. But you do not have to limit yourself to the 3 strands- In fact if there are more strands, thicker and more durable the rug will be. You can even braid 12 strands. A 3 strand braid will give you a round-shaped braid but you can make a wide and flatter braid with more strands.

Related post : Braiding tutorial for a 4 strand braid. 

With fabric that frays, you will need to pre-fold the fabric strips so that the frayed edges are not exposed outside. Cut the strips and fold the edges to the inside – like a double folded bias tape. This will prevent the frayed edges from showing outside. With the raw edges hidden inside your braided rug will look way neater. If you have a bias tape maker 3/4 of your job is done otherwise use an iron to fold the fabric by half and then fold the edges to the inside. (You can also fold them as you braid if you do not fancy ironing all those lengths of strips)

Decide on the color scheme. It can be a color riot or you can use light colors for an understated effect. If you want different colors, start with three strips of different colors and start braiding. After the first braid is complete, and you want to change colors, keep one strip the same color as in the previous braid and then braid. This will give a smooth transition of colors which is soothing rather than having a jump to a different color scheme altogether.

When you braid, make sure that you are not pulling it too tight. You have to keep an even tension at all times so that the braids will be flexible as well as not floppy. It should also lie flat and smooth. If your braid is too tight or the braids are stitched without any give, your rag rug may rise at the edges or at the center like fold mountains. Not a good sight. You want a flat rug, not a domed shape.

Start by stitching the top of the three strands together to keep them joined and then start braiding.

As you make the braids you will need to join more fabric. When you have reached almost the end of the a strip, stop and use a safety pin to hold the braids together in place.

Do that some 2-3 inches ahead of the end of the strips.

Then join the next fabric strip. I joined the strips straight across.

Ensure that you are not joining all the strands at the same place – this will create bulk in one area.

When you have braided sufficiently start by coiling the braid into a circle. If you are machine stitching, sew the braids in place as you coil.

Do give some ease when coiling (ie do not coil too tightly).

You can machine stitch the rug by choosing a zig-zag stitch on your machine and butting the braids and running the stitch across them the stitch should catch both the braids.

Change the presser foot on your sewing machine to one of zig-zag stitch, change the setting to a zig-zag stitch and make the stitch widest on your machine.

Butt the braids together and sew on the joint, catching the two braids in your zig-zag stitch.

Hand sewn rag rugs look much better than machine sewn rugs, though they are more work.

Related post : How to use fabric scraps to make fabric; Make fabric wreath from rags; Recycled t-shirt yarn – you can use this to make the rag rug.