From Rags to Riches: How to Make Your Own Rag Rug

Hola y'all!  This week has been busy, busy, busy with summer fun with the kiddos, but I made time to make the cutest rag rug for the kids' bathroom.  Here's a pic of the finished project.  So sorry for the fuzzy pic.  My digital camera is el cheapo and maybe a bit steamed up from the summer heat here in the South. :-)  I hope you can still see the cuteness.

I used old t-shirts.  Not pristine, coddled preppy t-shirts, the old painted in, haled-hay in, hiked-in t-shirts.  Maybe you have a few as did my husband.  (Shhh, don't tell him.  He'll never miss them if you don't tell.  Haha.  Anyway, I saw a cute picture of a rag rug somewhere and thought, "I can do that and won't have to spend a dime.)  I hope the same is true for you.  I am all about being green, especially in my wallet and yours. :-)  Here's another pic of the finished project.  

If your interested, here is my supply list and tutorial.  I hope it helps you create your own lovely little rag rug for your nest.

Supply List:
1 XL t-shirt   for the base of the rug (cut in the largest      
                         rectangle you can)
good sewing shears (so you don't wear out your grip)
5-6 adult size or 10-12 kid size t-shirts (old ones you don't 
                           care to cut up, the less graphics on there the 
                           better.)
TIME (It takes a while.  A Bachelorette or So You Think You 
             Can Dance Marathon may be in order while you 
             construct your rag rug)

First, you cut the t-shirt into a rectangle.  I used a rotary cutter and ruler.  The larger size the shirt, the larger the rectangle base.   You can sew two shirts together to make it longer if you want a runner.

Next, you will cut 1/4" to 1/2" slits into a long row.  You can fill your base with rows of slits or you can cut a row of slits and then thread that row with fabric strips.  Then cut another row of slits and thread it, and so on.  This is what I did just because I have the attention span of a five-year-old and can't do the same thing for too long without getting majorly bored.
Your fabric strips need to be 5" to 6" in length and about 1" to 1 1/2" in width.

 Here is how it looks as you work on it.  You just put one end of your fabric strip in one slit and then thread the other end into the next slit.  Then thread the next strip into the second hole.  The first and second strips will share a hole, as will the second and third strips and so on.  This will hold your strips in place.  You can see how it should look in the picture above right.  

Here's a picture of the strips laid out.

Here's a picture of me threading the rug.  I hope this helps you.  It really is an easy project.  It just takes time.  This is not a one day project, but if you can practice patience, it turns out really cute and is super inexpensive.  I hope you have as much fun with your rag rug as I did.  Happy crafting!!

Courtney C.  

This is the day that the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.  BE BLESSED!!!

**Side note** After a while the strips began to come out, so I had to start over.  I used a rubber rug mat.  One that you glue to the bottom of a rug to keep your rug from sliding all over the place.  I just threaded the strips through there, tying the skinny strips.  Hopefully, this will work better.

  Just wanted to share with you so that your project will be successful! Blessings Courtney C.