Craft a Rag Rug from Fabric Scraps

For the look of country without the home decor store price, why not make you own rag rug from recycled fabric scraps? Using simple materials and a homemade tool, you can create lovely rag rugs in any pattern you like.

Materials Needed for a Rag Rug

The backing for the rag rug is made of sackcloth or burlap type fabric. You can purchase this at a fabric or craft store. You will also need wood to make a frame to put your rag rug backing on. Small nails or tacks would work for attaching it. You will also need a progging tool or a non-spring type wooden clothespin. Bread one of the legs off for an inexpensive homemade tool.

Finally, you need the rags to make the rug out of. You can purchase knit fabric and cut it into strips about four inches long and three-quarters of an inch wide. Or you can cut the rag strips for old sweaters, t-shirts, and other knit fabrics.

Preparing the Backing Fabric and Pattern

Start with a piece of sackcloth or burlap about two inches wider and longer than you wish the finished rug to be. Stretch it onto a wooden frame and tack it in place. You needed the fabric to be taught if you want to be able to work the rags into it.

The next step is to make the pattern you wish your rug to have. Use a washable fabric marker to draw a pattern right on the cloth. You can also draw a pattern on a piece of paper to begin with and then copy it onto the rug backing with a permanent marker. The best patterns for rag rugs have large blocks of color and limited detail.

Creating the Rag Rug

Once all preparation is complete, begin making your rag rug. Turn the frame over so the wrong side of the fabric is facing you. Use your sharp tool to poke a small hole in the fabric and then shove one end of a rag scrap through to the other side. Then, make another hole about half an inch away and stick the other end of the same rag through.

Make sure the ends are the same length and pull them through the backing fabric to leave loose ends on the other side. Repeat this with many other strips of fabric, pushing two rag pieces through each hole to keep it tight. Keep doing this until the entire pattern is filled in.

Finishing the Rag Rug

Once the entire patter is completed, remove the backing fabric from the wooden frame. Turn over the unworked one-inch or more edge and stitch it in place. This will prevent fraying and make a nice, shaggy edge of your rug.

Use your handmade rag rug where ever you would like a super comfortable splash of country style in your home.