Two Easy Methods Of Sewing Braided Rug Pieces Together
If you have old sheets, clothes, and curtains, you can convert them into reusable material including a rag rug, rather than throwing them out. In spite of the fact that some of the crafters knit or crochet their rag rugs, there is no need for you to have these skills in order to make your own. By braiding the rags exactly in the same way as you'd braid hair, you will conclude with a very long strip of fabric. As soon as the braid is finished, the next step is to bend it into a round or oval rug and sew it together. There are two easy methods of sewing braided rug pieces together: hand-sewing & machine sewing, both the methods are mentioned below:
Method 1: Hand-Sewing
- Wire a heavy-duty sewing needle with sturdy polyester thread. Needles as well as the thread that is designed for upholstery work exceptionally well. Fasten the two ends of the thread together in a single overhand knot before cutting off all but 1/2 inch of the excess thread with the help of scissors.
- Bend & twist one end of the braid in on itself on a smooth, even & uniform surface, making a flat disc resemble a drink coaster. Cover or enclose the braid on every side of the center once.
- Sew the edges of the twisted or bent braid together with the help of a backstitch or whip stitch, making another stitch just about every inch. The sewn side will be the underside of the rug. Due to the fact that the upholstery needles are thick and strong, you need to use a thimble in order to push the needle through the fabric.
- Keep twisting or bending the braid on the even & uniform surface, make sure to keep it loose enough that it doesn't start to form a bowl shape. Sew the inside edge of the piece of braid you just twisted to the flat disc you've previously sewn.
- Now, stitch the braid with no overlap. Place each new coil alongside the previous one and sew only the edges of the braid together. Keep working in this manner as long as only one inch of braid remains.
- Bend the tail of the braid under so that it points toward the center of the rug. Sew the tail completely on every side so it will set down flat and be hidden when you turn the rug over.
Method 2: Machine-Sewing
- First of all, put the dial on your sewing machine in order to make the widest zigzag stitch possible.
- Now, lift your sewing chair enough so that you have some grip on the table, as taking hold of the edges of the rug together while pushing it across the machine needs firmly fixed, supported, or balanced pressure.
- Twist or bend the braid with the pieces positioned alongside each other and begin sewing from the center of the rug, taking hold of the edges of the braid together firmly.
- Iron the rug flat each & every time your braid runs out of thread. This will help stop the edges from turning up into a bowl shape and make it easier to keep sewing.
- Push, fold or turn the last inch of the braid into the round, sew it together, and run your needle backward for three inches in order to lock the stitches in place. Display the rug with the stitches confronts it for a decorative touch.