How To Make A Rug.

By Mandi 02/18/2011

So ya’ll know that sometimes I get these ideas. And these ideas kind of grow until they have a life of their own. And once they grow to that size there is just no stopping them.

DSCN4780

Such was the case with the rug in my living room.

This was my perfect rug. Zebra, Gray, Not to jaggedy, Big stripes, 5×8 and only $600.00 Son-of-a. Good bye perfect rug.

 

zebra rug

 

So I decided to make my own. I got 2 rugs. The 5×8 white one is from Home Depot ($77.00) the 4×7 gray one is from Walmart ($19.00) *Note:  If you use 2 that are the same size you can technically make 2 rugs.

 

Oh and you will see my house progressively get messier as the pics go on…nice.

DSCN4734

 

I unrolled the white one face down and drew on the back where I wanted my stripes.

DSCN4744

 

The I used a box cutter with a new blade (it has to be sharp…it makes it SOOOO much easier) and cut out my pieces. I actually did this with the second rug underneath and the razor on the shortest settings so I didn’t ruin my wood floors.

 

DSCN4747

 

Then I laid my “patterns” on the second rug

DSCN4759

 

And traced them out.

DSCN4761

Then using my box cutter I cut them out. This time I did it in my daughters room on her carpet…you know, cause of my floors.

 

DSCN4765

 

Then you start piecing it together.

The tape that I used is pressure sensitive seaming tape. If you are using the same pile height of carpet you *may* be able to use normal carpet tape that you melt the glue with a seaming iron BUT I would recommend this so much. It is soooo sticky and lets face it. I am not an exact person so even though my lines weren’t perfect everywhere it still worked. You can only buy it at specialty carpet supply stores, the one I bought mine at in St. George is GS Distributing. The brand is Orcon,  it was about $6.00 a box and I used 5.

IMG_2409

I actually found about 1/2 way through that it was easier to tape it from the back so that is what I am going to show you. That way you can trim where it overlaps. Like the pic below.

DSCN4771

 

DSCN4772

 

Then you tape over it.

DSCN4773

 

I am sure you are wondering about binding it. I just made sure that each of the pieces that touched an edge had binding on them, ( I didn’t cut them out of the middle of the rug) and it lined up pretty great.

DSCN4796

 

Oh and this is what the back looked like when it was all done:

DSCN4776

 

Not so cute. But no one is going to see that….

I love it. The total cost was $119.00 and about 4 hours.

 

DSCN4780

DSCN4787

Let me know if you have any questions!!

 

UPDATE 2/19/11

Just to answer a few questions! The finished rug size is 5×8.

If I had 2 rugs that were the same size to begin with then I would have 2 rugs. I couldn’t find the right gray in a 5×8 so that is why I bought a 4×7. BUT if you can find what you want in the same size totally do it! Its like 2 rugs for the price of 1! Or you and a girlfriend could each buy a rug and do them together….

As far as durability,  I am sure that there will be some shedding since it isn’t seamed *perfectly* everywhere. But my plan is if it starts to fray really bad,  to put a line of hot glue along the edge to seal it. (after I trim all of the threads etc.)

There was also a wonderful suggestion to glue the back of it to a drop cloth. On Monday I am going to find out what the best adhesive to do that would be and I will let you guys know how it goes!

Love Your Guts

The Lettered Cottage

225 thoughts on “How To Make A Rug.”

  1. { OMG! Amazing! LOVE!! }

    Makes me want to go out and do it now!

    Normally I can think outside the box very well…however would have never thought of this one! 🙂
    Great Job!

  2. Wow. Can you stop being so amazing?! (Not really, because I love it) And can you look at how amazing your living room turned out? I LOOOOOOOOVE it!!

  3. OH MY GOSH !!!
    This is so amazing that I’m in a kind of horrified state of happy shock. This is CRAZY good, I love it!!!!

  4. what the!??!?! huh? you made that? the room is spinning…i can’t breathe. That is AMAZING! Seriously, I never would have thought of that and even if I did…I don’t think I could pull it off like that! oh and i might copy your wall art…if I do…I’ll let you know!

  5. You are one creative chic! I am loving your rug. Seems like something I would never think of doing, but you made it look so easy. Awesome!

  6. horrified state of happy shock – YUP those are my exact words! Can you come to Boise , Idaho and visit for the weekend – we have alot to do girl and I might need you into next week as well! Let me know right away! OHH and Roy well he is darlin!!! Love you big –

  7. Are you FREAKING kidding me?? That looks amazing! I honestly stared at your first picture. For 5 minutes. I was all, “that is NOT her living room! No it ISN’T!”. I am amazed. The rug is amazing. The walls– holy crap. I’m also jealous of your floor.

  8. WOW – no questions yet, but love the idea – it seriously looks like that is how you bought it! I was fooled from the get go when I saw the first picture of your zebra rug! Love your living room. It looks amazing!
    Mandi, I so want to be like you when I get some motivation & get my creative juices goin’ on!

  9. Well done that girl!!!!That really is a wonderful rug! BUT – did you make a second one with the reverse pieces? Cos you could probably sell that to anyone on here and cover your costs (at least!).
    And why not glue some canvas or even hessian on the back to make sure it doesn’t shed any more and holds together? You use rubber cement for the glueing.
    Again, awesome and amazing.I stumbled upon your blog this week, love it! Hugs from Jasmine Down Under.

  10. You amaze me! I just would like a little peek into your mind! oH, by the way I found the cutest red velvet bench at the St. George DI today. And I thought to myself, “Self, it is a good thing that you found this before Mandi did, cuz I know she would have snatched it up!” Haha! now to recover it. I just need a little inspiration. Hopefully it won’t sit in my garage forever, while I wait for this so called inspiration and the perfect piece of fabric. Wish me luck!

  11. hahhahaha, how awesome!!!! I can’t believe you made this. So flipping perfect. You rock….like…so hard 🙂

    Great job 🙂

  12. Also, I would like to note that cutting up rugs and taping back together into awesomeness is ballsy as hell and I love it.

  13. UMMM…WOW! I’m so jealous. I have been trying to figure out how to make my own rug for my living room for 6 months now. Never once did the thought of cutting 2 cheaper rugs to make one rug of awesomeness run through my head. I was thinking I would have to weave my own rug! Lol! This is so much better than that! Thanks for sharing your amazing ideas!
    knuckle pow!
    Tasha

  14. I consider myself resourceful but girl you take the cake! You are the MacGyver of decorating. Are you too young to know who that is??? It was a tv show on years ago, here’s part of the shows bio…

    he is a resourceful agent able to solve complex problems with everyday materials he finds at hand, along with his ever-present duct tape and Swiss Army knife.

    Great job!

  15. This is very, very nice. I like it so much better than the $600 one you wanted. The different piled carpet adds such a luxerious texture.

    One question, how does it hold up? Maybe you haven’t had it out long, but in a few months could you mention briefly in another post how it’s doing? Because I love it, and want to make it, but I’m always concerned about long term stability with projects I make. If I am going to work that long on hard on something, I am going to get attached and so I want it a very long time!

  16. That is such a good idea, which is why I’ve never thought of it. Even if I would have thought of it I would have been afraid to try it. Yours turned out great and so cool. I love your blog. You have a really good writing style and your projects are always interesting and fun.

  17. I bow in humble adoration to your freakin’ amazing awesomeness. You are a DIY genius.

    ps. Would you please stop stealing my ideas before I have them? I just had a similar idea TODAY before I even saw this post. What the Heck?! Again, I’m not worthy because you are the MISTRESS OF AWESOME!

  18. I second Katie’s question about durability. Because it’s taped together, I would wonder if it would come apart and be in pieces in a few months.

    If it holds up – sign me up!

  19. Wow- this is incredible! What an awesome idea!

    I do have one question- maybe I’m totally missing it, but what was the final size of the rug? I noticed the gray rug was smaller, and the shag was a bigger rug, so how did those manage to connect and piece together? Was the final rug the size of the smaller, gray rug?

    Thanks for the help, and I “third” the question about the durability! The rubber glue/canvas idea sounds good, too!

    LOVE YOUR IDEAS!!

  20. Phenomenal. So the whole time I thought the first picture was of the $600 rug you wanted, then I got to the end and I was like “WHA WHA WHAT?!” That IS the rug you made. I’m speechless. I only wish I didn’t live 50 miles away from the nearest home depot and walmart.

  21. Woman! You’re nuts! I love yours even more than that other thing…and the different heights of the piles are what makes it awesome. Love, Love, Love!

  22. Hey Everyone!

    I just wanted to answer a few quick questions!

    The size of the finished rug is 5×8

    As for the durability I just finished it this morning so I hae no cue about the long run durability. The tape is SOOOO strong and sticky that I dont think it will fall apart, however I usualy just vaccuum my rugs and not shake them out.

    I will keep everyone updated and if there is a problem let you know!!

    Thank you all so much for the sweet comments!

    Love your guts
    mandi

  23. Idol worship will start now! This is too amazing! how do you keep coming up with this stuff. You will easily gett 200 comments on this baby! Project of the year!!! I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

  24. OH, i love that rug!! So creative!! My grand daughter loves Zebra, that would make a great b-day gift. You did a great job on it!!

    Diana

  25. I think this is awesome. Being a 53 yr.old, I would probably add the canvas on the back for the long haul. However, under a coffee table it will hold up well, I am sure for stability,etc. I think you are super creative and I love it better than the expensive one. The different pile is beautiful and looks so exclusive! I am truly amazed! You go, Girl!! <3, <3 the decor!! JuJu

  26. OMG!! This is absolutely the most amazing thing that I have ever seen. I live in a small town and basically my rug shopping is limited to walmart. I have been wanting a new rug but can not find one I like and I really don’t want to buy one online. Now I know that I can just make my own. Thank you so much for sharing. I’m trowing my first link party Monday. It would be great if you would stop by and add this tutorial. https://diyhshp.blogspot.com/

  27. I love it!! It looked like a messy job, but so fun! I’ve been looking for a perfect rug in my house! This just might be my ticket! Thanks for sharing on Funky Junk! I’m your newest follower and can’t wait to see what you decide! I hope you have a blessed day!
    https://brandlarge.blogspot.com
    Please check me out and become a follower!

  28. are you tired of reading how wonderful you are? if not, let me continue the adulation!! this is the greatest. kudos to you! jkj

  29. FREAKING AMAZING… LIKE blow my mind, no flippen way! I LOVE IT. I hear you on the cost of rugs.. I so want a fab. zebra or damask rug… but the prices are killer. You did a -fab-O-li-O- job! winks- jen

  30. Oh my gosh, I’m 48 and just getting into this crafting thing…. And I must say you and many of the other younger women I’ve been looking into are just plain genius!! I am loving all of it, but this carpet you made takes the cake…. AMAZING!!

  31. This is AMAZING! I just ran in the other room to show my hubby. I mentioned a while back that I was going to attempt to make my own rug because I refused to spend $800 on the one i wanted. He looked at me like I was on crack! Now I have proof that it can be done! Great job! 🙂

  32. After seeing the first photo and before I read how you did it, I thought it was one cut (white) rug, attached to a whole (uncut) bottom rug. If the bottom rug was woven, mat style, that might work well, though I’d have to look into adhesives for that. What a wonderful idea you have shared–thank you!

  33. WOW! I just discovered your blog when someday Crafts linked it to their site and I am BLOWN away! Even my husband thought it was the coolest thing he’s ever seen on a craft blog. He usually makes fun of little projects on blogs but he got all excited about this rug. Very awesome and I love your style!

  34. okay, okay… I love the rug but I have to know about the big branch art on the wall… tell me they’re an original creation with an easy tutorial found elsewhere on your site??

  35. This is awesome! FYI: If your rugs are both the same size, cut them out together (one on top of the other). It takes half the time and your pieces will fit together perfectly! (If you make one piece too wide, for example, it would be relpicated on the other rug, so no “mistake”!)

  36. I love it! We have been searching for a new rug for our living room and to no avail. I’m trying this – this weekend! Have you attempted to vacuum it yet??

  37. This is amazing! Very clever and creative, it looks great! I am totally having a rug dilemma and the one that I was leaning toward on overstock is now outtastock.

  38. Not only is this so creative… but it’s gutsy and turned out AWESOME!

    I also gotta know: Did you make the wall art behind your sofa? If so… how? Also… is that wallpaper or stencil pattern on your walls? I’m in love!!!

  39. WOOOOO WEEE! I almost couldn’t find the end of all the flippin’ comments so I could comment! WHEW…THAT was hard work! AWESOME JOB! SMOOCHES!

  40. This rug is brilliant! The larger stripes really work. Another comment mentioned a local DI – I’ve seen it in other posts but can’t figure out what it stands for! Help.

  41. I was like Wow when I realized you had done it yourself, oh such creativity! I forward this to all my girlfriends, I was so impressed! As the kids say You Rock!!!

  42. if i were to do this with an 8×10 and a a 5×7 would the difference in size be too great or should i try to find 2 more alike? this is an open question to everyone~!

  43. Spectacular and genius. The tape should work fine, I believe it is ‘Flor’ carpeting that sells their carpet tiles to be pieced together and they sell some kind of tape spots to put them together on the back very similar to this. But their rugs can’t hold a candle to the deliciousness of yours.

  44. OMGOSH!!!!! Thank you s00000 much for posting this fabulous project! You truly are talented and inspiring! I cannot wait to make a mess doing this rug 🙂 I think I’m gonna convince my sister to do this with me/2 rugs!!!

    This would be so great in so many designs/patterns with your idea here; I’m already thinking of ideas for my 1 year old son’s room………. maybe in his name???? He would love that! 🙂

    Thanx again for sharing your talent with us!

  45. Ode to a Zebra Rug.

    There once was a girl named mandi
    Who thought the living room floor looked bland-y
    She made a big mess
    Got an awesome rug for less
    And now I am a really huge fan-zy!

  46. OH MY WORD! Your rug is SOOO Much better than the original from what I can tell!!! ANd your house is freaking amazing!! Thanks for the inspiration! I hope to try a couple of your ideas!!

  47. thats great..i made one like that, little different design, but i hand sew it..patty

  48. That is amazing. I am looking for a rug for my dining room but don’t want to drop the $500ish dollars.

    Question, totally off the subject. I LOVE your wallpaper. Where did you get it?

    THX

  49. okay so i have been following your blog for a while now not on this blog on my personal blog and i keep coming back to this rug im in love I’m thinking of doing one for myself but i need to ask you how did it hold up if you could email me back that would be perfect [email protected]
    thanks,
    Mandi

  50. So my sister and I tackled this project yesterday. We finished one fantastic rug and have the extra pieces for a second one. We used leftover carpet my sister pulled from her bedroom remodeling job and a super cheap indoor/outdoor rug from Menards. The total cost for the whole project was around $40! Love, love, love it! Thanks so much for the idea!

  51. Great idea, how do you think of these things? Love this rug, good for you. I just had an idea, brown circle-ish areas would maybe look like cow-hide…maybe…
    …I am Blue Wolf…

  52. OMG– my husband is going to pee his pants when he comes home to find me cutting rugs up someday (in the very near future, thanks to you!). This is an AWESOME idea! We’ve been without a rug in our living room for the last year since the one I’ve been lusting over is over $400.

  53. hey, just wondering why you have to have the same pile of rug to use carpet tape? Could you use carpet tape and just use an old cloths iron to melt the pieces of carpet together for more durability?

  54. I really want to try this. However, I have a toddler and an infant in addition to tons of company. I’m a little nervous about how the edges would hold up to that much traffic. Thoughts?

  55. I found this tutorial through pintrest, and I’m totally blown away. I even put the link up on my husband’s FB. I’ve been eyeing a rug with a river rock type design for quite some time. Problem is, I need one to cover a large area & boy! The price rose dramatically from one size to another. It has different textures & piles just like your zebra rug. After reading yours I’m ready to tackle this project of my own. I can’t wait! Thanks so much for this tutorial. Wish me luck! I’ve put this off for so long! I’m so excited!

  56. So clever and so cool!!!!!!

    I might adhere one of the cheapie rug pads under it so that it wouldn’t slip around. Or possibly use a old hunk of kitchen vinyl flooring and glue the rug to it. You’d get a little cushion from the flooring and some stability for the rug long term.

    Nancy

  57. You. Are. My. Hero.
    Seriously that is awesome and I so appreciate that you are not an “exact” person 🙂 me either

  58. Ooo, this is UHHHmazing!!! I love it so much! I too have been searching for the perfect zebra rug that doesn’t cost a zillion dollars.
    I have a cheater idea…what if you took the same white 5′ x 7′ rug…and figured out your desired pattern…and just cut the shag down? If the pile was long enough, wouldn’t it just make the cut part a shorter shag? Then you could dye / paint the shorter sections??
    Do you have any experience with dying rugs?
    Maybe this is a crazy idea…but it might just work….
    Hmmm….
    LOVE your blog!
    besos, Jasmine

  59. I just started reading your blog a few months ago and today was just clicking around archives to see what I missed before I started reading regularly. Holy goodness gracious this is an amazing DOABLE idea! I haven’t been able to find a rug anywhere near my price range and this could completely work, thank you 🙂

  60. just found this on pinterest! im in love with this. im going to attempt to do this in leopard print but was wondering would it be possible, (in your case) to have just attached all the white pieces to the entire gray instead of cutting both.

  61. This is one of the most creative DIYs I’ve seen in a while. I never would have thought it would work. It turned out great–congrats!

  62. Love this, but I’m lost after you trace the second rug. Why did you need to cut it? Aren’t the white pieces laying on top of the 2nd (grey rug)? Forgive me, but I’m confused at that point.

    Thanks

  63. Actually, I think I now get it. Both become pieces that you need to patch together to make one rug. I think what threw me is it looks like one is glued on top due to the height and/or texture of the two rugs.

    Brilliant work! 🙂

  64. I used to make wall hangings that way in the 70’s (I’m old, lol) and was trying to remember how it was done. I believe I used burlap backing.

  65. I used to make wall hangings that way in the 70’s (I’m old, lol) and was trying to remember how it was done. I believe I used burlap backing.

  66. I love it so much I can hardly stand it!!! I just have one suggestion, instead of cutting two rugs why not use a flat woven rug & glue the cut outs on top of it? Way less work & you wouldn’t need a drop cloth as another diy-er had suggested. It looks amazing either way.

Leave a comment!

Keep the conversation going! Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.