Customized Textiles

This method can be used to make table runners, place mats, curtains, or any number of other household textile items. For me this started because I wanted a small rug in front of my coffee table. The problem was that no store bought rug seemed to fit the 15 inch space between the couch and table. This left me with one option of making my own rug. The method I used did involve some very basic minimal hand sewing but you can do it all no sew if you choose.

Supplies

Fabric

Rug Stop (Found at Joanns or Home depot)

Rug Binding Tape aka Border Tape

Measuring tape/Measuring stick

One sided carpet tape

Upholstery thread (Optional)

Sewing needles (optional)

No Sew Bonding Tape

Iron/ ironing mat

Scissors

Spray adhesive

1. Choose the Fabric

The fabric should be either a carpet remnant or a medium to heavy weight upholstery fabric found at Joann’s or other similar fabric supply stores. There are indoor and outdoor upholstery fabrics that will work as a rug! I do not recommend using regular light weight fabrics such as cotton or linen for anything that will be on the floor and walked on. I chose a medium weight upholstery remnant with a textured diamond surface.

TIP: It is advisable to pre wash, dry, and iron your fabric before cutting and working with it. This is to induce any potential shrinking of the fabric for a more accurate finished product. For what it is worth I did not do this step.

2. Cut to Size

I measured out my fabric using a square, fabric measuring tape, and cut with fabric scissors.

3. Fray Check Cut Ends

As a way of using less fabric I chose to omit creating a doubled seam and instead used fray check to bond my cut fabric ends. I can attest that Fray Check will hold up over long term use and in the washing machine.

TIP: I buy a 1.5oz bottle of Fray Block to refill the smaller 0.75oz bottle you see in the picture.

4. Piece Together Additional Fabric

In order to make a 56 inch wide fabric into a 6ft runner rug I had to seam the fabrics together. First I used the upholstery thread to sew the two pieces together (optional) then I added the carpet tape to the bottom two pieces for added peace of mind.

OPTIONAL

4.1 At this point I added a few motifs!!

5. Add Bonding Tape

For a tailored finished look use bonding tape on the outer edges of the fabric. I used the no sew Heat n Bond to iron on the border tape.

6. Add the Rug Stop

Using the adhesive spray follow the instructions to lightly spray the back of the rug and rug stop material and allowing it to dry completely before putting it in place.

7. Top Coat Protection

For added protection I chose to use Scotch Guard Rug & Carpet Protector. I applied two top coats to my fabric and allowed it to dry before placing it in front of the couch.

Still to come is the matching coffee table mat!