Crafting A Circular T-Shirt Rug: A Creative Guide

T-shirts are versatile and can be used to make a variety of items, including rugs. There are several ways to make a round t-shirt rug, including braiding, crocheting, and weaving. The process involves cutting old t-shirts into strips, which are then braided, crocheted, or woven together to form a rug. The size of the rug depends on the number of t-shirts used, with larger rugs requiring more shirts. It is important to choose t-shirts that are mostly or 100% cotton and to ensure the fabric weight is consistent. Additionally, it is recommended to use a rotary cutter for a quicker and more precise cut. Overall, making a round t-shirt rug is a fun and creative way to upcycle old t-shirts and create a unique home decor item.

Choosing your rug colours

Choosing the colours for your rug is an important step in the process of making a t-shirt rug. You can either go for an eclectic mix of colours or choose a specific colour scheme. If you want a more harmonious look, opt for colours that complement each other. For example, you could choose a range of blue-toned shirts and some neutrals, as mentioned in one source.

If you're having trouble deciding on a colour scheme, it might be helpful to make a colour study using your favourite colours. This will give you a better idea of which colours go well together and help you choose shirts with more focus and efficiency.

Another option is to dye your own shirts. If you can't find the exact colour you want, you can buy a few extra white t-shirts and dye them yourself. This way, you can create a more cohesive look for your rug.

When selecting shirts, it's important to consider the weight and thickness of the fabric. Try to choose shirts with a similar weight to keep your braids consistent in size. Thicker shirts, such as those given out for free at events, tend to work better as they stretch more easily. You can also include sleeves and the tops of shirts to add variety to your rug.

How many shirts you'll need

The number of t-shirts you'll need for your rug will depend on the size of the rug you want to make, the size of the t-shirts, and the width of the strips you cut.

For a 30" diameter rug, you'll need about 6-7 x-large women's t-shirts. For a small rug, you'll need around 10 t-shirts, and for a 4-foot rug, you'll need 3-4 queen-sized sheets.

If you want to make a larger rug, you can use a trampoline hoop or make a plywood frame with nails.

Cutting the t-shirts

The first step to making a t-shirt rug is to cut up the t-shirts into strips. The number of t-shirts you will need depends on the size of your rug. For a small rug, you will need around 10 t-shirts, whereas for a 30" diameter rug, you will need about 6-7 x-large women's t-shirts.

When it comes to cutting the t-shirts, you can use either scissors or a rotary cutter. If you are using scissors, start by cutting off the sleeves of the t-shirt and opening it up. Then, cut the shirt into strips, which can be anywhere from 1" to 2" wide, depending on your desired thickness. You will want to cut the end of each piece so that you have strands and not loops of fabric.

If you are using a rotary cutter, lay the t-shirt flat and cut it into 1.5" strips along the width of the body. Again, make sure to cut the end of each piece so that you are left with strands and not loops.

Once you have your t-shirt strips, it's time to start braiding! You will need three strips of fabric to start braiding. Sew or knot the three ends together, or loop them together as you would when adding strips. You can use a sewing machine or hand sew—either way will work as long as the start of your braid stays together.

When braiding, be sure to keep your long fabric strips from getting tangled. There are two ways to make a braided rug: coiling as you go or braiding first and coiling later.

Coiling as You Go

If you choose to coil as you go, start by making a braid a couple of inches long. Make it longer if you want an oval rug, and shorter if you want a circle. Lay the braid flat and curve the three strands of your braid around to braid up the side of the existing braid. Take the inside strand and loop it through one of the loops in the existing braid, then continue braiding.

If you have a tight braid, put a large tapestry needle on the end of one of your fabric strips to make it easier to weave through. Stick the tapestry needle through the existing braid loop and pull the strip through. Do this a few times, looping a strand through the existing braid to attach your braid to the previous braid as you go.

Braid First, Coil Later

If you choose to braid first and coil later, simply make a long braid and coil and sew it into a rug later. This method works well with non-stretchy fabric, like flannel sheets. Keep braiding, adding more strips as you go. When the braid starts to become unwieldy, start coiling and sewing it into a rug. You don't have to finish braiding all of your fabric strips before you start coiling and sewing—in fact, it is recommended that you start the rug before you are done braiding to avoid a big tangled braid pile.

To coil, put a length of string on a tapestry needle and tie the end of the string to the beginning of your braid. Start coiling the braid like a snake and weave the string through the loops along the inside edges of the coil to hold it together. When you run out of string, tie it off and continue with a new string.

Braiding techniques

The braiding technique you choose will depend on the type of fabric you are using and the effect you want to create. Here are some of the most common braiding techniques for T-shirt rugs:

Option one: Coil as you go

This method involves coiling and braiding your braid into the existing braid as you go. It works well with stretchy T-shirt fabric but can also be done with cotton sheets if you have a slightly looser braid. Start by making a braid a couple of inches long, then lay it flat and curve the three strands of your braid around to braid up the side of the existing braid. Take the inside strand and loop it through one of the loops in the existing braid, then continue braiding. You can use a tapestry needle on the end of one of your fabric strips to make it easier to weave through. Repeat this process, looping a strand through the existing braid to attach your braid to the previous one as you go.

Option two: Braid first, coil later

This method is better for non-stretchy fabric, such as flannel sheets. Simply braid your three fabric strips and keep braiding, adding more strips as you go. Focus on getting the braid as long as you want, and when it starts to get unwieldy, start coiling and sewing it into a rug. You don't have to finish braiding all of your fabric strips before you start coiling and sewing—in fact, it's recommended that you start the rug before you're done braiding to avoid a big tangled braid pile. To coil, put a length of string on a tapestry needle and tie it to the beginning of your braid. Start coiling the braid like a snake and weave the string through the loops along the inside edges to hold it together.

The basic 3-strand braiding technique

This is the simplest braiding technique and is suitable for T-shirt fabric. Take three strips of fabric, sew or knot the ends together, and then braid them together. Keep your braid tight as you go. You can hold the end of the braid between your legs as you work and let the finished braid fall to the floor as it grows.

Continuous braiding

This technique involves cutting the T-shirt in a continuous strip from the bottom hem up to the armpit, removing the hem first as it doesn't curl well. Once you have the big strip, stretch it and allow the knit to curl in on itself, creating the yarn. Then, ball up the yarn and crochet in the round, starting with a magic circle or the Chain 2 method.

Weaving

This technique involves weaving T-shirt yarn or fabric strips over and under every two weft (the crosswise yarns) for the first few rounds, then every weft for the rest. You can use a hula hoop or cardboard loom to get started, and then transfer to a bigger hoop if you want to make a larger rug.

Remember, the key to a successful T-shirt rug is to keep your braids tight and flat to avoid wrinkles and curling. You can also experiment with different colours and patterns to create a unique design.

Sewing the rug together

Before you start sewing, replace your regular needle with a medium-knit needle. A regular needle is not suitable for this task. Choose the largest zig-zag setting on your machine.

If you want to make a round rug, arrange the braids in a spiral pattern in a clockwise manner. If the braids grow in a counter-clockwise manner, they will grow towards the machine instead of away from it. For an oval rug, you should sew a bit more braid into the turns to prevent the rug from cupping.

Slide the braids under the presser foot of the machine. It will be tight, but force it under. Start sewing the braids together. Tuck the tail end of the braid under the next row of braids, and it will get stitched down and hidden. Line up the tick mark on the presser foot with the seam between two braids so that the zig-zag stitches sew the two strands together.

The thickness of the braids may be too much for the machine to handle, so you might need to manually move the fabric forward. Knit is a stretchy fabric, so if you pull the braids too tight while sewing, the rug will curl in on itself. To prevent this, push the braid forward so that the strands bow out a bit while stitching them in place.

If you are making a large rug, it may take more than one sitting to sew it together. Lay dictionaries or other heavy objects on top of the rug to help flatten and stretch it out between sewing sessions.

When you get to the end of the rug, tuck the tail under the previous row and sew it down.

Frequently asked questions