There are several ways to recycle old rags or old clothes and make a carpet. Why not be eco-friendly, resourceful and imaginative all in one go? Here are instructions for making your future rug with crochet, sewing machine or weaving.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Crochet Rug
Step 1. Get some weaving cloth with a minimum of 0.65 cm openings
You can find it with larger openings in any sewing shop or paint shop. Most have weaving cloths with pre-designed patterns to guide you in choosing colors.
If you buy a kit, it will show you and / or give you everything you need. You just have to follow the instructions on the box to choose the crochet hook and fabric
Step 2. Cut the fabric into pieces
The size you choose depends on the type of canvas. If you can, try to be eco-friendly by using old fabric, such as used clothes. Cut them into strips that are no more than 1.25 cm wide and 7.5-10 cm long. Cutting them all the same length will give an even "pile" in the carpet.
Cutting them after takes a lot of time and is more difficult than doing it at this point. Cut one and use it as a template to make all the others as well
Step 3. Make a sketch of the design you want on the canvas
This, of course, only if the canvas does not already have a drawing ready. Permanent markers are great for this job, just be careful not to smudge the surface under the canvas with the marker.
It is not necessary to have a drawing. If you want to create an impromptu work of art, you are welcome! It will be awesome
Step 4. Attach the strips with a crochet hook like making a crochet rug
In a couple of hours you will have your new carpet. Ta da! No glue, sewing machine or special skills.
Method 2 of 3: Sewn Rug
Step 1. Cut the fabric into strips the length of your finished rug
This method assumes you are making a standard rectangular rug. Anyway, it's up to you whether or not you want a fringe on the edge.
If you have rags that you would like to use but that are too short, sew them together! The beauty of the rag rug lies in extravagance, not perfection
Step 2. Pull the ends of the strips lightly to make them curl at the edges
This gives the carpet volume, texture and character. Who would have thought that a rag rug could have character? Well, yours will, little but sure.
Step 3. Spread the slightly curled strips side by side with even ends
Do it now, to see that the colors and designs go well together. You may not like how the shades fit together and you will need to adjust them before the whole thing becomes permanent.
Step 4. Machine the strips perpendicular to how you arranged them
That's right, perpendicular. This makes the rug more resistant and gives it very interesting visual lines.
Although you could sew by throwing caution to the wind, it is recommended to keep the lines evenly spaced. Every 2.5-3.75cm is ideal
Step 5. Sew parallel lines as well
You may have edges that appear to need to be put in place; in this case, turn the rug 90 ° and start sewing parallel lines. These can be spaced at your discretion.
You can make lines at a distance of 0.6 cm. If they look good, go ahead. But if there are lines 15 cm apart, be aware that your rug is in danger of falling apart due to lack of structure
Method 3 of 3: Woven Carpet
Step 1. Cut the fabric into strips of equal width
On the 7.5 cm it is fine. What you need can only be called "mountains" of fabric, so cut strips as long as you can. You will realize if you need more fabric only at the end, when the rug is well woven and has taken a shape.
Different fabrics intertwine in different ways. Since you're weaving it's easy to add more fabric if you run out of fabric and your rug isn't big enough yet. Do not panic! You will do it at the right time
Step 2. Sew all strips together, end to end, to make three long strips
Don't worry about combining materials and colors - the only thing you need is three long strips to work with.
As soon as you have all the fabric sewn in three super strips, sew them together by machine or by hand from the short end. This is the simplest starting point
Step 3. Weave the tight strips
It will be easier for you if you can hang the strips somewhere so that you can stand up while weaving your miles of fabric. A safety pin will come in handy to hold the braid together.
Weave it tight! You don't want holes in the carpet, do you?
Step 4. As you get to the end, twist the braid
Start from the beginning and twist in a spiral all the way through. If the carpet is big enough, great! You have finished braiding and can move on to the round sewing step. If it's not big enough, simply sew more strips to stretch the long strips and continue braiding.
- You don't have to twist it into a spiral and make it round but it's really easy and looks neat. You can also make a rectangle with the snake but need some extra sewing skills for the edges.
- If you had to add extra strips, keep weaving until you reach the new end. Twist it again - is it big enough now? Perfect! Go on.
Step 5. Sew the finished braid together
Unroll the rug and start working from the center. Sew on the inside edge to join the braid with the length of the fabric and continue in a circle all the way through. Roll up the rug following the braid.
Maybe you'll need to do some reinforcement after you're done. The beauty of the rag rug is that they won't show! If you keep sewing on the inside, you are in an iron barrel. Just add a few tweaks here and there like you did from the start. Et voila
Advice
- Cut all the fabric to the size you need. It is easier to do this before than after assembly.
- Choose your fabrics. It is best to make the rug from only one type of fabric. Mixing different types of fabric (wool with cotton knit for example) is "possible", but it will give a not very homogeneous and irregular result.
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Wash all the fabrics you want to use. Wash in hot water and dry at a high temperature, so that if you had to tighten it, it will happen before the fabric turns into a carpet.
Note: When choosing colors, it is wise not to use colors that "leak" during washing. It is recommended to coordinate colors before sewing to have a consistent look at the end
- Weaving a rag rug and crocheting a rag rug have their pages - check them out for two more methods.
