Easy DIY Rug Tutorial

I was strolling through Walmart the other day looking for some creative inspiration. It hit in their new dollar section! Do you know the section I mean? I think it is supposed to compete with Target’s Dollar Spot. However, I’m pretty sure our Walmart doesn’t fully grasp the concept! They just open up the boxes and stick them on the shelf!!

Regardless, I stumbled upon these cute rubber backed floor mats. They were only $5 each, and as soon as I saw them I knew we could easily spiff them up to make them even cuter and something a little more one of a kind.

These rugs were 18″x30″, but you can use any size rug that you want. You can even use a rug that you already have. Maybe it just needs a little makeover! You can also use any type of rug. As long as you can hot glue some fabric onto the back, it will work fine.

After you have all of the strips cut, you will begin to know each strip. Place the knot approximately 1/4 to 2/3 of the way down the fabric. You don’t have to be exact because we can even everything out at the end. This part can be a little tedious, so grab a cup of cocoa and watch a good Christmas movie while you knot those fabric strips!

Once you have all of the strips knotted, it is time to begin attaching them to the back of the rug. Before you glue anything down, lay a few of them out to get an idea of how closely you want them placed. I ended up putting my pretty close together. Two important things to remember before you start gluing down the fabric.

1. Make sure the right side of the fabric is facing down. You are looking at the back of the rug so you should also be looking at the back of the fabric.

2. Line up the knots right next to the edge of the rug. If the knots are underneath the mat, it won’t lay flat.

Now start gluing down the strips. Make sure to add enough glue to keep the fabric secure. Once you are done with that side, begin working on the opposite side. Work you way around the rug if you are doing all four sides.

Voila! You are done and you have a really cute one of a kind rug!

But wait! If the fringy, raglan look isn’t your style, the next design just might be more to your liking.

Sew a simple gathering stitch a mere 1/4″ from the raw edge of the fabric. Once all of the strips have been sewn, you can begin gathering. How tightly you gather the fabric will depend on the look that you like and how much fabric you have. Work with it until you achieve the look that you like.

Then you just begin gluing the fabric down. After you finish adhering one piece of fabric, just overlap the next piece on top of it and keep working until the rug is finished.

That’s it! This look is a little cleaner and more refined. As you can see, the rugs that I am using can be indoor or outdoor. There are so many options and variations that you can do with this idea. If you try this idea, I would love to see it! Also, let me know which look you like better.

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Welcome to another month of the “It’s Good to be Home” blog hop. I get to join a wonderful group of bloggers as we share our seasonal home decor ideas, recipes, and more. We also have guest bloggers joining us from time to time! If you are a blogger and would be interested in joining in on the fun one moth, just let me know.

Here are the links to each of the blog posts for this month’s tour. Please visit each one. I am inspired by these talented ladies, and I know that you will be too!

Southern Spangled / At Home In The Wildwood / The Frugal Homemaker JENRON DESIGNS / My Weathered Home / Robyn’s Southern Nest