How to Make a Carpet Into a Rug

Co-authored by Sarah Fogle

Last Updated: July 21, 2024 References

Making rugs from carpet remnants is an easy, inexpensive way to unique floor covering that match your room décor. Carpet remnants can be purchased from carpet stores at greatly reduced prices, or you can use carpeting that you have pulled from your own home or from a friend's home too. All you need are a few simple tools that you probably already have in your home.

Steps

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If you want to make a patterned rug, choose the colors you will use.^{[1]
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Cut out the background rug, placing the carpet on corrugated cardboard or other surface that cannot be damaged if cut with a blade. Use a utility knife to cut out the rug, pressing firmly. You may have to make 2 passes with the knife.^{[2]
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- The carpet used for the patterns should be of the same type and texture as the background carpet.
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Brown paper bags or butcher's paperwork well for this.^{[3]
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Use a utility knife to cut out the shapes, pressing firmly. You may have to make 2 passes with the knife.^{[4]
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Trace it with a felt tipped marker.
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Remove the cut out areas from the rug and replace them with the pieces you cut previously. Work from the underside of the rug, pressing the cut out pieces firmly into the base.
- You will probably have a lot of carpet fibers showing on the underside of the rug. They can be integrated into the rug by taking a flat head screwdriver and running it around the edges where the carpet pieces meet.
You can also use duct tape.^{[5]
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Lay down a 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) line of carpet glue along the edges of the rug.
Allow to dry thoroughly.
Turn the carpet right side up and apply a bead of carpet glue to the edges and approximately 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) onto the top of the rug. Pull the edging firmly up the side of the rug and onto the bead of glue on top, pressing firmly.

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Question

How do I cut off a piece of carpet from my large carpet and make an edging where I cut it off?

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I like to use a sharp box cutter. You can then use a yard stick or T-square to make an edge. Cut down that edge along the ruler from the back side of the carpet. When finished, take a big lighter and run it along the cut edge to keep it from fraying.

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Question

How do I make a rug from scratch?

maria abid

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Start by selecting your materials, such as fabric or yarn. Then design your pattern and gather the necessary tools like a loom or crochet hook. Begin weaving or crocheting, following your pattern, and continue until your rug reaches the desired size. Finally, secure the edges and trim any excess material.

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Tips

If you're making a large rug, consider having it professionally bound at the edges to prevent fraying.

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When making a rug with a design that flows in a certain direction, take this into account when laying out and cutting the pattern on the reverse of the rug.

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Warnings

Use a non-slip pad under your rug to prevent accidents.

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Rugs made from carpeting must be cleaned in the same manner as carpeting. They cannot go into a washer.

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