Braided rag mat

By Spotlight

Originally these mats & rugs were created using real rags & worn clothing in random colours.

Final Result

Materials

• left over fabric from other projects or old clean clothes or rags
• scissors
• Gütermann linen thread in co-ordinating colour
• straight pins
• chenille needle

Step 1

Cut or tear 5cm-8cm wide strips of co-ordinating fabrics. Sew several of these long lengths together end to end, mixing and matching the patterns. To join the strips overlap the ends at right angles and then sew them diagonally across the resulting square. Cut the excess material to decrease bulkiness and increase seam strength. Join 3 or 4 strips together to make 3 long strips for braiding.

Step 2

Take the 3 long strips and knot together at one end. Roll each strip into a ball as this will make it easier to braid without getting tangled.

Step 3

Sew a scrap length of fabric above the knot and use to attach the strips to a doorknob or other steady base that will not move. Begin braiding (plaiting) the strips - right over centre, left over centre, right over centre, etc. Keep the braid as flat as possible and the tension firm but not too tight or the braid will twist and buckle.

Step 4

When the strip of braid is finished, cut off any excess fabric. Cut off the knot and stitch across one end.

Step 5

To make the mat, begin with the stitched end in the centre and lay an 8-10cm length of braid flat on a table. Start coiling the rest of the braid around this length, butting the sides of the braid together and pinning them.

Step 6

Sew this long braid into a flat oval with linen thread by making running stitches about 5mm apart. To do a running stitch make a continuous looping stitch down through the top of the fabric and back up through the bottom with about 5mm between the stitches. Continue coiling and pinning then stitching until mat is the desired size finishing with the same number of rows on each side.

Step 7

To finish tuck the end neatly under the mat and stitch in place.

Step 8

finished product pictured from above