DIY Rag Rug

I had a couple of rag rugs that I'd bought from one of those little pop-up stores at my local shopping centre. They were cheap but super bright and happy. After a couple of washes, the bits of fabric started to come loose from the twine holding them together... and the dog didn't help matters either.

I decided to pull them apart and make another rag rug from the bits that I could salvage. It's a little bit messy and it was tricky to get through my machine, but a little perseverance and nudging and it's finished. What it lacks in finesse, it makes up in bright joyful colour and texture.

I started out by pulling apart the previous rugs and platting the strips. To join the strips, I cut small holes in both ends and looped them through to make a type of knot. The trick here is to try and stagger the "knots" within the 3 pieces of the plait otherwise there'd be too much bulk in places.

Once I had a nice long plait, I took it to the sewing machine and began to sew. I used black Gutermann polyester thread and a large zig-zag stitch.

I started out with the regular needle in my machine but it wasn't up for the challenge. The next one wasn't up for the challenge either. I swapped them out with a jersey needle. Yes, it surprised me too that I had a pack of jersey needles in my stash. This seemed to work much better and I was able to finish off the rag rug. My advice here is slow and steady, lifting the foot regularly to ease the fabric through.

Once finished, it wasn't sitting nicely, so I wet it completely and laid it out flat on the deck in full sun - this helped immensely.

My plan was to use this mat inside the laundry door (the door that leads outside to the clothes line)... but Charlie has other ideas. Or maybe he was just enjoying the damp cool of it yesterday when the temperature got up to around 33ºC.

11 comments

Jeanette10/8/21, 9:18 AM
Good idea to salvage your rug & make a new one from the pieces. Looks great. I don't blame Charlie laying on the damp rug. It got to 37 degree here on Monday & my really fluffy cat laid herself on the cool bathroom tiles. I'm guessing she'll be camped there throughout summer & i don't blame her. Hugs, xx
Karen's Korner10/8/21, 10:54 AM
A very bright and colourful addition to the floor. Well done.
Mystica10/8/21, 4:39 PM
My grandma used to make these rugs and I think they've died out here with that generation. Machining them together is such a good innovation I never would have imagined possible.
Janice10/8/21, 5:36 PM
You did well. I have two woollen plaited rag rugs that my Mum made. One I stand on at my cutting table and the other is in our lounge room. They are all sewn by hand from dressmaking scraps. I also gave a box with a partly made one. When their spinners and weavers group used to go to heritage displays, Mum would bring this out to show how things were done in the past.
Maria10/8/21, 7:30 PM
Great job salvaging the bright rag rug..
Charlie does love it…..
kiwikid10/9/21, 8:28 AM
Your rag rug looke wonderful Anorina, great salvage. Charlie looks very happy.
Cheryll10/9/21, 1:31 PM
Great recycling and it appears the map is a winner... xox
Cheryll10/9/21, 1:31 PM
ooppss MAT...
Ondrea10/10/21, 12:57 PM
How clever are you! You certainly put a lot of time and effort into recreating the mat. It looks lovely even if your furry friend thinks it is his.
FlourishingPalms10/10/21, 11:52 PM
Good for you to take the time to rework that rug! Certainly the colors are happy and bright, so it still looks good. I've never tried piecing a rug through the sewing machine, though I know many people who have. As of course you know, there are many ways to make a rug. My favorite is the braiding method that doesn't need sewing together. Your rug is sure beautiful, and I hope Charlie gives it up now and again so you can admire it. Gosh, no wet/muddy boots on it though!
Robin10/13/21, 8:47 AM
I love the way this turned out. I'm going to try this.