How to make a braided rug
Braided rugs have always been around. I know of several people that create wonderful rugs from fabric scraps and plastic bags, and while they may not sound attractive - they look great in a cottage bedroom or bathroom and are perfect for outdoors on the patio.
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Braided rugs have always been around. I know of several people that create wonderful rugs from fabric scraps and plastic bags, and while they may not sound attractive - they look great in a cottage bedroom or bathroom and are perfect for outdoors on the patio.
HERE'S HOW:
Once you have collected plenty of fabric scraps, remove all the loose threads along the strips - they normally are those vertical threads that came off when you tear the fabric. Roll up the strips into ball, don’t join the ends, just roll it up and get ready for the next step. I roller three balls from different bed sheets, so that I will get some pattern when I braid the strips.
Stack three strips on top of each other and make a few stitches at the end. Secure the end by pinning it down with safety pin to somewhere you feel comfortable to work at. I pinned it on my ironing board. Curtain should do well too.
Start braiding till you come to an end of the strip. Braiding is the same as plaiting - Mom's with daughters will know how to do this with their eyes closed! Arrange the strips to end at different length so they don’t join at the same point and make the braid bulky. Cut the length if necessary. Loosen up the other ends when they get tangled up. This is the reason why I advise not to join the strips before braiding. Short length is easier to loosen up.
Braid the strips till you have a substantial length for the rag rug, approximately 2 metres or so. Just an estimation will do, if you don’t have enough, you can always braid again later. Set aside. You will be mounting the braid onto a base, which can be fabric, felt, or other scraps of fabric. Double the fabric for a thicker base and stitch around the edges.
Place the braid at the centre of the fabric; coil and go around the first strip. Hide the head end of the braid when your rounding strip reach there. Pin to secure. Sew the side of the braid with zigzag stitch so that the braid joins up side by side. Continue to sew until you reach the last section and finish off. Cut away any excess base fabric.