how to make a rag rug from old t-shirts

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Have you ever looked at a pile of old t-shirts and wondered what to do with them? Instead of tossing them in the trash, why not transform them into something beautiful and useful? A rag rug is a fantastic way to repurpose those old tees, adding a touch of handmade charm to your home. It’s a fun, affordable, and eco-friendly project that anyone can tackle, regardless of their crafting experience. Not only is this a great project for upcycling, but it also lets you create a unique piece of decor that tells a story, woven with memories from your favorite shirts. Let’s dive into how you can create your very own rag rug from those t-shirt treasures.

Gathering Your Materials

Before you get started, you’ll need to gather your supplies. The beauty of this project is that the main ingredient is readily available – your old t-shirts! Here’s a breakdown of everything you’ll need:

T-Shirts

The number of t-shirts you’ll need depends on the desired size of your rug. For a small doormat-sized rug, around 10-15 shirts should suffice. For a larger area rug, you might need 30 or more. Feel free to use different colors and patterns to create a visually interesting final product. Remember, the thicker the fabric, the sturdier your rug will be. Cotton t-shirts work best, but you can experiment with blends as well.

Sharp Scissors or Rotary Cutter

A good pair of sharp scissors or a rotary cutter will make cutting the fabric strips much easier and more precise. A rotary cutter can be especially helpful if you’re working with a large quantity of t-shirts. Make sure you have a self-healing cutting mat if using a rotary cutter. If using scissors, opt for fabric scissors.

Measuring Ruler (Optional)

A ruler can help you cut consistent strips of fabric, which will result in a more uniform looking rug. If you prefer a more rustic or free-form look, you can skip the ruler and cut strips by eye.

Rug Backing (Optional)

If you want to add more structure and durability to your rug, you can use a non-slip rug backing. This is especially useful if your rug will be on a slick surface. Materials like non-slip matting or canvas work well.

Preparing Your T-Shirt Strips

The first step is preparing your t-shirts. Here’s how to turn your old tees into usable fabric strips:

Cutting the T-Shirts

Start by laying your t-shirt flat on a cutting surface. Cut off the hem of the shirt. Next, remove the sleeves by cutting along the shoulder seams and armholes. You are left with a tube of fabric, the torso section. Now, cut this torso tube into strips, starting at the bottom and working your way up, cutting across the width of the shirt. For most projects, strips about 1 to 2 inches wide are ideal. There are a few ways to cut these strips:

• Continuous Strip Method: Cut a spiral continuous strip that goes around the t-shirt, starting at the bottom hem and ending just before you reach the armpit. Be careful not to cut into the seam of the shirt itself. This yields long strips, and reduces the number of knots needed.
• Individual Strip Method: Cut horizontal strips across the width of the fabric, creating individual loops. These loops can then be connected.

Once cut, stretch each strip out. This will make the edges curl inward, creating a more consistent and easier to work with strip.

Organizing Your Strips

As you cut the strips, sort them into piles based on color or pattern. This makes it easy to choose the strips when you are constructing the rug and it’s helpful to get an overview of the colors and patterns you will be working with.

Methods to Make Your Rag Rug

There are several methods you can use to create your rag rug. Here are a few of the most common techniques:

The Tied Rag Rug Method

This is one of the easiest and most popular methods for beginners, as it requires no special skills. This technique uses knots to connect the strips, forming the rug.

Step-by-Step

1. Lay your rug backing (if using) on a flat surface.
2. Take two strips and tie them together using a basic knot. If not using a rug backing, start your first knot in the middle of where you want your rug to begin.
3. Continue to tie more strips together, forming a chain. As you go, coil the chain of tied fabric strips around and continue to knot the new strips to the edges of the previous round.
4. Keep adding strips, coiling and tying the fabric, making the rug as large as you’d like. As you grow the rug, ensure the fabric lies flat and even, not bunching or puckering.
5. Once you’ve reached your desired rug size, knot the end securely, tuck the ends of the fabric under, and cut off the excess.

The Braided Rag Rug Method

This method involves braiding long strips of fabric before coiling them together to form the rug. While a bit more time-consuming, it creates a very durable and beautiful final product.

Step-by-Step

1. Prepare your t-shirt strips as described previously. For the braided rug, you’ll want long strips, the continuous method is ideal for this.
2. Take three strips of fabric and knot them together at one end, or sew them together with a few stitches.
3. Begin braiding the three strips as you would with hair, pulling each strand tightly to create a neat braid.
4. As you braid, add in new strips by either knotting or stitching them in as you reach the end of the previous ones. Keep braiding until you have a very long braid.
5. Once you have a long braided rope of fabric, begin coiling it around itself. You can use strong thread or twine to stitch the braided coils to each other, working from the center outwards to create the rug.
6. Continue coiling and stitching until your rug is the desired size.
7. Secure the end of the braid by stitching it to the rug and tucking any loose ends underneath.

The Weaving Method

If you have a loom or want to use a simple frame for weaving, you can also create a woven rag rug using your t-shirt strips. This method involves using a warp (the vertical threads) and weft (the horizontal threads) to create a woven structure.

Step-by-Step

1. Set up your loom or frame with warp threads. If using a frame, you can stretch sturdy string tightly across.
2. Weave the t-shirt strips through the warp threads using an over-under pattern, pushing the strips together as you progress.
3. Continue weaving across the loom, creating rows with the t-shirt strips, and use your hand or a tool to push each row down, tightening the weave.
4. Keep weaving until the rug reaches the desired size, then carefully remove it from the loom and secure any loose ends.

Adding Finishing Touches

Once your rug is assembled, there are a few things you can do to make it even better.

Trimming and Tucking

Trim any loose ends or fraying pieces using your scissors. Tuck any remaining ends underneath the rug to prevent them from unraveling. If you used the tied method, knotting the ends and then hiding the knot is a useful technique.

Securing the Ends

For additional security, you can add a few stitches to any areas that seem loose or unstable, particularly in the braided and woven methods. A needle and thread can be used to reinforce any potentially loose areas, keeping the rug more robust.

Adding a Non-Slip Backing

If you didn’t add a non-slip rug backing during the creation, you can apply one afterward. Using spray adhesive or by sewing the backing to the bottom, you can apply non-slip material. This is especially useful if you’ll use your rug in a high-traffic area.

Caring for Your Rag Rug

To ensure your rag rug lasts for years to come, here are a few care tips:

Washing

Most rag rugs made from cotton t-shirts can be machine washed on a gentle cycle with cold water. However, it’s always best to check if you used a non-cotton t-shirt for colorfastness to avoid color bleeding in the wash. Avoid using harsh detergents or bleach. Tumble dry on low heat or lay flat to air dry.

Spot Cleaning

For small spills or stains, spot clean immediately with a mild soap and water solution. Avoid soaking the rug entirely, which could damage it.

Regular Maintenance

Shake your rug out regularly to remove any loose dirt or debris. You may need to occasionally trim any loose threads, but this is usually a low maintenance project.

Creative Variations and Ideas

Once you’ve mastered the basic rag rug techniques, you can experiment with various creative ideas:

Color Patterns

Play with different color combinations to create stripes, geometric patterns, or even ombre effects. You can use specific color palettes to match your decor.

Shape Variations

Instead of just making a rectangular or oval rug, try creating round or even star-shaped rugs. The possibilities are truly endless.

Adding Texture

Experiment with different strip widths or fabrics. You could even add embellishments like pom-poms or tassels.

Mixing Fabric Types

While cotton t-shirts are the most common material, you can also mix in other types of fabrics like denim, fleece, or old towels for added texture and interest.

Creating a rag rug from old t-shirts is a fantastic way to not only reduce waste but to create something functional and beautiful for your home. This project is a testament to how simple materials and a bit of creativity can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Whether you choose the tied, braided, or woven method, the result is a unique, handmade rug you can be proud of. So gather those old tees and start your rag rug journey today!