Make a Unique Area Rug Yourself

Large area rugs are fabulous for big rooms but can often cost quite a lot of money. Small throw rugs, on the other hand, are generally inexpensive and easy to find. If you need a huge rug, but don't want to pay the price for one, consider making a huge rug from many small ones.

Round rugs are great for this project because they give the room a unique look that you just can't buy elsewhere. Round throw rugs are easily found in every color, size and fiber type. Decide the size rug that you need for the particular room then you can figure how many round rugs you'll need. So if you want a rug that's 60"x80", and the round rugs you find are 20" in diameter, you'll need 12 of the rugs.

The smaller the round rug, the more you'll need to complete the huge rectangular rug, of course, but the smaller the round rug, the cheaper it will be. If you can save by ordering a quantity - even better. You'll find some great deals in your home town at discount stores or at online retailers.

Align the round rugs so that they make a rectangular arrangement. At the spot where each round rug touches the next one, stitch the rugs together. Don't place right side to right side when stitching, but instead, top stitch the rugs together. Use a heavy duty machine, thread and needle to accomplish the task of stitching the rugs together. Be sure to zig-zag the stitches in a wide pattern so you'll get a good hold. Go across once, then back, then across and back. This will give a nice row of stitches that will hold for a long time.

You don't absolutely have to use round rugs for this project. Stitch together oval rugs, square rugs, rectangular rugs and other shapes. You can use different sizes, too. For instance, stitch three rectangular rugs, side by side, then one long runner directly underneath them. Add three more of the rectangular rugs, and so forth, until you have the size rug you need.

The rugs don't have to be all the same color, either. Mix it up a little by trying combinations of navy and burgundy, red, white and blue, or other combinations. It's easy to make the area rugs using smaller rugs and the overall finished product is a masterpiece. You'll rarely find anything else like it - at least not in a store.

If you only have a household machine, and you're afraid it won't hold up under this project, ask an upholsterer to quickly sew the rugs together. The upholsterer has all the right equipment and will probably charge you very little to sew the rugs together.

Thick, burlap, rope and similar rugs aren't appropriate for this craft, but shag rugs, faux fur, and lightweight throw rugs are ideal. Have a look around some department or discount stores to find a bargain on the small rugs and you'll have an impressive, giant area rug with little effort - and save quite a bit overall.