Rags to Rugs is an ebook and a series on the Day to Day Adventures blog. If you would like to check out all the posts in the series(or get the ebook) then go to the main Rags to Rugs page to see the other 8 posts. This is #2 in the series so go check out Reasons to Make a Rag Rug and then come on back. I'll be here waiting to share with you about how much fabric you need to make a rag rug.
Rag Rugs are a unique craft to make! When you make one you can take something old(if you use scraps) and make something new! My current project is made from old jeans that my guys out grew or wore out and I love the way it looks! Denim is so durable! There are many reasons you should make a rag rug but the main one but the main one is that they allow a place for creativity and design that a store purchased rug just doesn't give. You can take your creativity and make a unique piece of beauty that will be useful plus may become a family heirloom!
Get your Fabric!
Obviously you can't make a rug without fabric but I've seen people use very unique material for rugs. From plastic bags(I'm going to try this someday) to fabric! So don't just think about fabric--use your imagination!
How Much Fabric do I Need to make a Rag Rug?
Lots of it! If you don’t have a lot of scrap fabric laying around then you will need to purchase fabric of some kind. I want to encourage you to think outside of the box on this. You do NOT need to spend lots of money on fabric. There are places to buy cheap fabric and they aren't all at the fabric store!!
It takes about 10 yards of fabric to make a 24 x 36 inch size rug. 1/3 of this fabric is not even seen so an old sheet or other scrap fabric is great. I found that a full size sheet is about the same as 4 yards of fabric. I can find an old sheet at the salvation army or Good Will for WAY less money than buying a new yard of fabric. It's even less if I use one that I already have!
Cut your fabric to make your rag rug
General Rule for Width of Fabric Strips for a Rag Rug
The thicker the fabric you use, the thinner you should cut your fabric strips. If you use thin fabric like cotton broadcloth, then cut it wider. Denim should be cut about one inch wide. When I used cotton sheets I cut my strips 2 ½ inches wide.
How long does it take to do this? Well it depends on your fabric. When ripping jeans it took me several sessions and it was much harder because I was using old jeans not just straight fabric. I don't have a good time for how long it took.
This weekend I started a new rug using an old full size sheet.
Assembly Line Fabric Strip Cutting
If you are using thinner fabric, consider ripping the fabric instead of cutting it. Ripping goes faster than cutting and is a good thing to do when you are frustrated. There is something satisfying about riiiiippppppinnnnngg the fabric.
Helpful Hints
Cut more strips than you think you can use. If you do this you won’t have to stop to cut each time that you need to add on a strip. It takes a lot of strips to make a larger rug.
Consider ironing your fabric before cutting it. It won't matter once you make the rug if the fabric is flat but it does make it easier when you are making the rug to not have a lot of messy wrinkles.
You can also wind your fabric into balls like yarn if you want.
Want to see how to make your own rag rug? Don't miss the Rag Rug Video Course or wooden needles!!! Everything you need is on the Rag Rug Resource page!
Don't miss the next post in the series! It's all about how long it takes to make a rug!
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