Making a braid rug is a great way to create a one of a kind floor covering that will be custom to your space and color scheme. You don't have to settle for the usual.
Today we are going to just focus on the preparation. This is one of those projects that are fast and fun if you prepare well first. It is a pain in the neck if you are not prepared.
Decide on your colors first. Don’t be afraid to throw a little contrasting color in for interest. You don’t want to go to all the work to make a braid rug only to have it turn out boring.
You will need fabric, lots and lots of fabric. Since each rug will be different in size and shape it is difficult to say exactly how much. You do not have to have everything ready and exact. This is a really good project for using up all of those scraps you have left over.
One of the great things about making your own rug is that you decide when it is done. You may have started out with the idea of making a room size rug only to get to a four foot size and realize it would work perfect for the bedroom instead. That's ok, you are the boss.
We want some prep done but don't worry whether all of it is done and perfect. You allow yourself to add new color or shades if you don't get too rigid.
Materials Needed:
- Rotary cutter or scissors
- Cutting mat (for rotary cutter only)
- Needle and thread or sewing machine
- Ruler
- Pen or marker
Fabric choices:
Because the function of the rug is to be used to wipe feet off and to walk on. If you choose a delicate fabric, your rug will be delicate. Not a great attribute in a rug. Use durable fabrics like denim, wool and cotton broadcloth.
Cut fabric into 3-4” strips. Thicker fabric would be the 3” strip and thinner fabric would require wider strips. Join one strip to the next by laying the ends together in an ‘L’ fashion. Lay your ruler across the intersection of the ‘L’ so that it touches on one side the lowest point on the right side that the fabrics meet. Now adjust the other end so that the uppermost left of the two fabrics together is on the same side as your bottom mark. Draw a line along this angle. This is your sewing line. You can sew by hand or machine. After you’ve done this a few times, you can begin skipping that step. Cut off excess. Fold open into a straight line.
The connections are sewn on an angle for two reasons. First, it will give it added strength as the seam will end up spread out over multiple sewn stitches as opposed to one or two. Secondly, there will not be a periodic lump in your rug where the seam was rolled into layers resulting in waves on your run that make walking on it uncomfortable.
Continue joining until you have 3 strips that are 12-18 feet long.
Watch January 17 for the remaining directions.
