Don't Throw Out Old Sheets and Clothes! Let's Make a Braided Rug
Here's how to braid a rug from strips of old fabric: cut the strips, sew them into one long strip, lay it in a zigzag, and join the loops into a braid.
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Translated
Things you will learn
The rug is braided from strips of an old sheet, duvet cover, or unwanted clothing, about 5 cm wide.
The strips are sewn into one long strip on the diagonal, right sides together, and the ends are folded in and stitched.
The long strip is laid in a zigzag and stitched down the center, and you can dress it up with a decorative stitch between two parallel seams.
The finished pieces are joined by threading the loops through each other to create a braid — the outer loops are pinned and hand-sewn.
What you'll get
A sturdy braided rug made from strips of old fabric — washable, and great for an entryway, a cottage, a bathroom, or as a pet bed.
Materials and tools
Materials
Old sheet or duvet cover, The main fabric source for the rug's strips.
Unwanted clothing, An extra fabric source if you run short on bedding.
Sturdy thread, For hand-sewing the outer loops at the end.
Tools
Sewing machine, For stitching the strips together on the diagonal and topstitching the long strip.
Scissors, For trimming the excess fabric after stitching the strips.
Pins, For pinning the outer loops before hand-sewing them.
Preparation
Mark out the strips
Make marks every 5 cm along the fabric's edge — that way all the strips come out the same width.
Cut the fabric strips
Tear strips from an old sheet
We're using an old sheet or duvet cover. Make marks every 5 cm along the edge, then tear off strips of equal width. If any long threads are left hanging, trim them off.
Prepare strips from unwanted clothing
Do the same with any clothes you don't need.
Sew the strips into one long strip
Join the strips on the diagonal
Sew all the strips into one long strip like this: lay the top strip over the bottom one, right sides together, at a 90-degree angle. Stitch diagonally, then trim off the excess fabric.
Fold and stitch the long strip
Turn it into one long strip: fold the ends in, fold again, and stitch.
Braid the rug
Lay the strip in a zigzag and stitch down the center
With the prep work done, it's time to start "braiding" the rug. Lay the strip in a zigzag pattern and stitch down the center.
Dress up and reinforce the strip (optional)
You can dress up and reinforce the strip by adding two parallel seams with a decorative stitch in between.
Join the loops into a braid
Join the pieces you've made by threading the opposite loops through each other. This creates a braid-like look. The longer the loops, the wider the braid — and the shorter they are, the narrower it gets.
Secure the outer loops
Pin the outer loops in place and hand-sew them with sturdy thread.
The rug is ready
Our braided runner is ready! It does take some time to make, so it's a great project for long winter evenings.
Finish and variations
Finish
Check that the seams hold
Before using the rug, make sure every seam and the outer loops are securely fastened — the rug will get a lot of foot traffic and wear.
Variations
A wider or narrower braid
The longer you make the loops while braiding, the wider the braid comes out — and the shorter the loops, the narrower and tighter the braid.
A pet bed
You can make the same braided rug in a smaller size and use it as a pet bed — the fabric washes easily.
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