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Other: Recycled Rag Rug
210 kudoz

Recycled Rag Rug

Recycled Rag Rug

Recycled Rag Rug
Recycled Rag Rug

Instructions

Cutting old t-shirts in strips gently braid and tack stitch in a circular patten.

Difficulty:

Category: Other

Type of item: Home Decor

For: Other

Style: Cute, Retro / Vintage, Traditional, Whimsical, Funky, Casual


Materials

Recycled old ratty T-shirts

What was your inspiration?

Love Cottage crafts and this makes a room feel homey.

What are you most proud of?

I recently taught two groups of children, around 40 in all to make a simple rag rug out of old t-shirts, it was a very successful project.

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

Start collecting and have quite a few t-shirts ready because once you start it comes together quickly.

 

54 comments

Add your comment:

hccgems on craftsy.com
Dec 11, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Like the rug and read many comments. Just wanted to clarify, Jedk, you sd make the strips 2" long, did you mean 2" wide then add then together in strips by sewing together or tying a knot?
ranch woman on craftsy.com
Oct 28, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
I have started one of these, it's about 2 feet across. It's curling a little as I'm stitching the rounds. What am I doing wrong?
Jedek on craftsy.com
Oct 28, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Hi, I sometimes find if I pull it around to hard and stitch, it can curl up, also if I am too loose it can bunch up, so somehow there is a happy medium, just take it slow and make sure the rug is on a flat surface while stitching.
honeybee1391965 on craftsy.com
Sep 19, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
I love the color combination you have chosen. I made one years back from old worn out flanel sheets in light blue, tan and a reddish brown. Its still holding up und its been washed over and over. hope my english is not to bad. Greetings from Germany the Bavarian Alps !!!
Jedek on craftsy.com
Sep 19, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Greetings honeybee1391965, rag rugs are so beautiful and really make a room feel warm and comfortable, Have a wonderful day, Greetings back from Canada
maggiesc on craftsy.com
Jul 09, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
I love this, what is tack stitching, could you machine sew this?
Jedek on craftsy.com
Jul 09, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Tack stitching is just small stitches to join them together, although I have found that after some time and many washes they tend to break, definately try the sewing machine, honestly it would make a stronger seam, gonna do that for my next one :)
deweybabe on craftsy.com
Jul 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Wow! Great idea. You have inspired me to dig out a wool rug made for me, by my grandmother, for my high school graduation in the mid 60s. It has some damaged areas and I've always wanted to address them but had no idea how. Since they are in the middle I'm still hesitant, but I am going to try. Any suggestions?
Jedek on craftsy.com
Jul 09, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
mmm, not sure myself how to fix that, i am sure they would be absoulutely beautiful, go for it, If you dont try you will never know
deweybabe on craftsy.com
Jul 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Wow! Great idea. You have inspired me to dig out a wool rug made for me, by my grandmother, for my high school graduation in the mid 60s. It has some damaged areas and I've always wanted to address them but had no idea how. Since they are in the middle I'm still hesitant, but I am going to try. Any suggestions?
creativecatnap on craftsy.com
May 08, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Your use of color is very intuitive.
creativecatnap on craftsy.com
May 08, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Nice work, I really like that it is in a perfect circle:)
anne 727 on craftsy.com
Apr 15, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
so do you stich as you go ? dont understand please help .
Jedek on craftsy.com
Apr 15, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Yes Anne727, stitch as you go, helps to do it on a flat surface.
anne 727 on craftsy.com
Apr 15, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
do you have instructions for this rug please
Jedek on craftsy.com
Apr 15, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
If you go down I have explained to others how easy it is, They are very easy, I have taught classes of kids around 11 years old and they seemed to handle well, collect as many plain t-shirts as you can and cut in strips around 2 inches long, join with a simple stitch or tie a know and braid three colours together, tack stitch into a circle, it goes together quite quickly and you will love the look of it, maybe pick a colour and go in different shades of that, post a pic when you are done. You will love this
Weeser1 on craftsy.com
Aug 29, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
This is good.MyGrandma used to braid rugs. Sounds similar .Thanks for sharing !
janetjewal on craftsy.com
Mar 08, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Old sheets ,quilt covers and towels all make brill mats .Ive used jeans and old (well cleaned ) shower curtians make brill shower or door mats .
anne 727 on craftsy.com
Apr 15, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
so you dont have to use stretch fabric?could be a good way of using all that extra fabic iv got .
xstitchingirl on craftsy.com
Mar 01, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
What a fabulous idea! I have just started a T-shirt quilt for my hubby and tried my hand at dyeing the backs of the t-shirts, but didn't know what to do with them - now I know :o)
JPB1947 on craftsy.com
Feb 25, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
I would like to the instructions on how to make these rugs --- my grandmother had them in her house -- what great memories, if I could make my own!
Jedek on craftsy.com
Feb 27, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
They are very easy, I have taught classes of kids around 11 years old and they seemed to handle well, collect as many plain t-shirts as you can and cut in strips around 2 inches long, join with a simple stitch or tie a know and braid three colours together, tack stitch into a circle, it goes together quite quickly and you will love the look of it, maybe pick a colour and go in different shades of that, post a pic when you are done. You will love this
Jncoupon on craftsy.com
Jan 15, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Any good instructions that you can recommend? I want to use our old mateless socks
Jedek on craftsy.com
Jan 15, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
What a great idea, please post a picture when you complete it, now you have me thinking.....
craftylady718 on craftsy.com
Nov 10, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
My grandma used to make us these rugs all the time growing up...sure brings up some happy memories....will definitely try making one or two!! Thanks for sharing!!
Oldscool on craftsy.com
Sep 24, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
I used to make rag rugs with my grandma and I also made an enormous one for my final year project at school, got top marks too!! This one is lovely.
Jedek on craftsy.com
Apr 15, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
You should post a picture of it
Diane M-S on craftsy.com
Sep 15, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
When I was young, I was taught to crochet using skeins of strips of fabric that was sewed together - end to end - into rag rugs. I used a very large hook and just crocheted in a circle or in an oval. It was pretty easy and a good way to teach a young person who is all thumbs.
Jedek on craftsy.com
Sep 15, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
I crochet the strips into beautiful rugs too!!! It actually goes together quicker by crocheting them.
jewelziq on craftsy.com
Sep 14, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
These rugs are just beautiful. My grandmother used to make rag rugs alot.
mygrandkid65536 on craftsy.com
Sep 14, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
What a neat idea and we all have plenty of old t-shirts.
lesliemore110819 on craftsy.com
Sep 14, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
I've always loved these rugs.. reminds me of my grandma. I'm a t-shirt collector, lol, so I think I'll make one of these for my kitchen. thanks for the great idea!!
Marce on craftsy.com
Sep 14, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
Love this what size did you make it and how many shirts did you use?
Jedek on craftsy.com
Sep 15, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
The rug isnt much bigger than the picture shows but I have made ones for friends that are huge enough for a large living room. As to the amount of t-shirts, I would probably judge in garbage bags full, haha. Ask friends and family especially with the change of season to send all ratty and stained shirts your way.
wesleyphi113356 on craftsy.com
Sep 13, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
Good job! My daughter used to make a lot of these & we loved them! I still have a round one with a matching basket.
Auntie McPhee on craftsy.com
Sep 13, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
sooo cool !
MJayne58 on craftsy.com
Sep 13, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
Really cute idea! I can't wait to try it.
kimmipat on craftsy.com
Sep 13, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
Sounds like fun - Thanks for the idea!
RachelH5266 on craftsy.com
Sep 13, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
Cute! :o)
ruffles on craftsy.com
Sep 13, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
love this..........
dhltau101322 on craftsy.com
Aug 13, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
I saw an explanation of how you made the rug, but I didnt see any instructions, for a newbie like me to understand. What am I missing here?
Jedek on craftsy.com
Aug 15, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
Start collecting old t-shirts, they dont fray and cut in a spiral from the base, around and around, about 2 inches wide, join three strands with a knot and start braiding, gently on a flat surface start to twist your braid into a spiral and stitch together.
Beneita on craftsy.com
Sep 13, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
me too! How to get instructions!
jewelziq on craftsy.com
Sep 14, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
you can also change the form to make more of an oval shape or even a heart shape. There are lots of YouTube videos showing this and other methods for rag rugs.
Swt Pi on craftsy.com
Dec 11, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
you and me both, I need a bit more insturctions any hints?
holthanlon@hotmail.com on craftsy.com
Aug 13, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
Very nice, good looking and I love the recycle factor as well!
Mariya on craftsy.com
Aug 12, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
Oh! great idea! I knew where to get woven scraps, and now I know where to get knit scraps from my old projects. Thanks for idea!
Dole22407 on craftsy.com
Aug 11, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
Nice =D
Nina Savard on craftsy.com
Aug 11, 2011    Flag as inappropriate
Love the idea!!! I understand you braid the strips together, but how to you join the new color/strip to the braid you have started?
mummy.43 on craftsy.com
Aug 11, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
where are the instructions? How wide should I cut the strips, etc....
Jedek on craftsy.com
Aug 11, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
I simply tie them together, or you could stitch them
Jedek on craftsy.com
Aug 11, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
I sim;ply tie them together, or you could stitch them, sometimes the rougher the more rustic it looks.
Jedek on craftsy.com
Aug 11, 2011   Flag as inappropriate
I usually judge the strip width by the top of my finger to the knuckle, but honesty whatever works, the smaller the strips the smaller the braid.
anne 727 on craftsy.com
Apr 15, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
yes good comment ?i dont understand neither?