Crafting A Comfy T-Shirt Shag Rug

Tired of expensive rugs that don't come in the size or colour you want? You can make your own shaggy T-shirt rug with a few simple tools and some old T-shirts. This DIY project is perfect for those who enjoy winding down with a mindless, repetitive task at the end of the day. It's easy, relaxing, and you'll have a unique, soft, shaggy rug at the end of it. All you need is some jersey fabric, a utility fabric rug liner, bent-nose pliers, a rotary cutter and cutting mat, and a lip edge ruler. Then, it's just a case of cutting your fabric, sectioning your rug liner, and knotting your fabric onto the liner.

Materials needed

To make a shaggy T-shirt rug, you will need the following materials:

• Old T-shirts: The number of T-shirts you will need depends on the size of the rug you want to make. For a small rug (12" x 16"), you can probably get away with using 2-3 T-shirts. For a larger rug, you may need upwards of 16 yards of fabric.
• A base or rug liner: This can be a utility fabric rug liner, which you can buy by the yard, or simply an old hand towel or T-shirt.
• Scissors or a rotary cutter: You will need something sharp to cut your T-shirts into strips. A rotary cutter is ideal, but regular scissors will also do the job.
• Ruler: A lip edge ruler will help you measure and cut your fabric accurately.
• Marker: You can use tailor's chalk or a water-soluble marker to mark your fabric before cutting.
• Bent-nose pliers: These are useful for hooking the fabric pieces when knotting your rug.

Optional materials include:

• A cutting mat: This is useful if you are using a rotary cutter, as it protects your work surface.
• A carpet rake or brush: These can be used to fluff up the fabric strips and give your rug a fuller appearance.

Cutting the fabric

The first step to making a t-shirt shag rug is to gather your materials. You will need a utility fabric rug liner, jersey fabric, a rotary cutter, a rotary cutting mat, a lip edge ruler, and tailor's chalk or a water-soluble marker.

Once you have your materials, you can begin cutting your fabric. The amount of fabric you will need depends on the size of the rug you want to make. For a 2 1/4' x 3' rug, you will need 8 yards of fabric. If you are using a 1-yard rug liner, you will need 16 yards of fabric to cover it.

To cut the fabric, start by folding it in half and placing it flat on your cutting mat. You will be cutting through four layers of fabric, so make sure it is positioned correctly. If you are using a 2' x 3' mat, cut three 6" widths horizontally, then cut those into 1 1/2" strips perpendicularly. This will give you the strips of fabric that you will use to knot your rug.

You can separate the strips from each other at this stage to make it easier when you start knotting. You can also choose to wash and dry the strips to get them to curl a little bit. Alternatively, you can skip this step and move on to knotting your rug.

If you have a pattern or design in mind for your rug, you can plan out where each color will go before you start knotting. This will give you a sense of how your rug will look and ensure that you have enough fabric strips in each color.

Planning the design

• Size: Consider the size of the rug you want to make. This will depend on where you intend to place it. For example, a rug for your grand baby's nursery will be much smaller than a rug for a living room. The size of your rug will also determine how much fabric you need. A larger rug will require more fabric, while a smaller rug can be made with fewer t-shirts.
• Colour and Pattern: Decide on the colour scheme and pattern of your rug. Do you want a solid colour, a mix of colours, or a specific pattern? If you're using old t-shirts, sort through your collection and decide which colours or patterns you want to include. You can go for a cohesive colour palette or a more eclectic mix, depending on your personal style and the intended space.
• Texture: Shag rugs are known for their soft and cozy texture. Consider the type of fabric you want to use to achieve this. Cotton or synthetic wool are great options, and you can even use recycled t-shirts or scrap fabric to create a unique texture. The thickness of the fabric strips will also affect the overall texture of the rug. Thinner strips will create a finer, softer texture, while thicker strips will result in a more pronounced shaggy effect.
• Layout: Plan out the layout of your rug. Sketch a simple diagram to determine the placement of colours or patterns. This will help you visualise how the different fabric strips will come together. Decide on the direction of the strips, whether they will be placed diagonally, horizontally, or vertically. You can also play around with different knotting techniques to create varied textures within the rug.
• Tools and Techniques: Choose the tools and techniques you will use to create your rug. This includes deciding on the type of rug base or canvas you will use, such as a utility fabric rug liner or a mesh rug canvas. Additionally, consider whether you want to cut your fabric strips by hand or use a rotary cutter for more precise and efficient cutting.

Remember, the design process is a creative phase where you can experiment and personalise your rug. Don't be afraid to make adjustments along the way, as this is part of the fun of creating a DIY t-shirt shag rug!

Feeding the fabric through the mesh

Before feeding the fabric, ensure you have cut it into strips of your desired width and length. The standard size is around 1/2 inch wide and 4 inches long, but you can adjust this based on the look you want to achieve. If you're using t-shirts, cut the fabric in continuous strips to make the most of the material.

Now, it's time to start feeding the fabric through the mesh. Start by taking one strip and inserting it diagonally through two adjacent holes in the mesh. Pull the fabric through until it is roughly equal on both sides. You can use a pair of bent-nose pliers to help guide the fabric through the holes if needed.

Continue this process, adding strips of fabric diagonally across the mesh canvas. Space the strips evenly and close together to create a dense and plush rug. You can follow a specific pattern or colour arrangement if you have a design in mind.

Once you have filled the entire canvas or a section of it, you can secure the fabric by tying a square knot on top of the mesh. Adding an extra knot will increase the density of your rug, making it more durable. Remember to keep the knots tight and uniform for a neat finish.

By carefully feeding the fabric through the mesh and securing it with knots, you will create a beautiful, soft, and unique t-shirt shag rug. This process is both creative and therapeutic, allowing you to upcycle old clothing into functional art for your home.

Tying the knots

To begin, you will need to cut your fabric into strips. The recommended strip size is about 1/2 inch by 4 inches, but you can adjust this slightly depending on the look you want for your rug. If you are using recycled t-shirts, cut through several layers of fabric at once to speed up the process. You may also want to separate the strips before moving on to the next step.

Once you have your fabric strips, you can start knotting them onto your rug liner. The type of rug liner you use is important – a utility fabric rug liner or a 1/4" mesh rug canvas is recommended. Avoid non-slip rug pads, as they are not strong enough. You can cut the rug liner into smaller sections if you prefer, which will make knotting easier and will allow you to wash sections of the rug separately later on.

To knot the fabric onto the rug liner, you can use a simple square knot. Feed each strip through the mesh diagonally, then tie a single knot. You can add an extra knot for increased density if you wish. It can be helpful to hook the fabric pieces along an entire row first and then go back to knot them.

If you are making your rug in sections, you will need to tie the sections together at the end using the same fabric strips. Tie the sections together about every 7 rows. This will allow you to easily separate the sections if you need to wash part of the rug or change its layout.

Frequently asked questions