The braided rug is made from scraps of old clothing or fabrics and is a great way to recycle old worn-out or out of fashion clothes that would otherwise end up in the rubbish bin.
You will need:
Scissors
Safety pins
Ruler
Clothespin or binder clip
Tapestry needle
Upholstery thread
Old clothing scraps
Begin by cutting up the old clothes into one inch wide strips that are at least a foot long. Select three strips of cloth, pair them together at one end and secure them with a safety pin. Using another safety pin secure the fabric pieces an inch away from the end of the fabric. Begin braiding the fabric together and after braiding a foot long section secure it with the clothespin or binder clip to hold your position. Continue braiding and move the clip up every foot.
Stop braiding and move the clip forward when you are approximately four inches from the end of the shortest strip. Take a new strip of fabric and lay it over the end of the shortest strip. Ensure that both pieces overlap and are secure. Continue braiding until you have used all the fabric.
An inch or so before the end of your braid turn the ends of the cloth under the braid and sew them tightly to the braid. Repeat this process with the other end of the braid.
The next phase requires you to tightly coil the braid to form a circle or oblong shape. Using a zigzag stitch, and starting from the centre, sew the side-by-side portions of the braid together. Repeat until the entire rug is sewn together, flip it over and place it where you want.