Here's a denim rug recycled from a variety of thinner denim fabrics, such as those used for shirts or skirts.
Joyce, the designer, drew inspiration from her Grandma B's hand-made scatter rugs, usually made with non-fraying double-knits.
Although the denim version does fray, especially after washing, the homespun look that results has an appeal all its own.
Joyce's denim rug is shown, above left, after completion, and at right, after washing and drying. Two jumpers, one dress, a pair of denim slacks, a work shirt and old denim skirt were all used in the construction.
If you'd like to make your own, you'll need lots of denim to cut up into small rectangles, plus a larger section of thicker denim (pieced together to get the size you need, if necessary), as the backing.
Denim Rug Instructions:
1. Cut a piece of heavy-duty denim fabric for the backing, to the desired size, and finish the edges with bias tape. (Grandma's method was to reuse the legs of jeans, sewing pieces of fabric together, then cutting to whatever size or shape was required.)
2. Mark the backing fabric with dressmaker's pencil or something similar. Start at the outside edge and draw lines one inch apart. In the sample shown, the lines were drawn in decreasing rectangles, but straight lines would work too.
3. Cut lots and lots 2 by 3 inch rectangles of thin denim.
4. Starting in the center of the denim fabric, and working outwards, begin sewing the fabric rectangles to the backing fabric. Sew straight through the middle of the rectangle width, so both sides stick up evenly, gathering the fabric either before you stick the fabric under the presser foot, or bunching it up as you sew.
5. When you have completed one line, or gone around one marked rectangle, sew it down again to secure it.
6. For the last rounds, cut the rectangles in half along the length, to make rectangles that are 1½ inches by 2 inches, and sew along the edge of the backing fabric, so that the last row lies flat.
Suggestions:
Grandma B's original double-knit scatter rugs were non-fraying and virtually indestructible, so if you have unwearables made from double-knit, velour, or other non-fraying fabrics, consider recycling them into a bright rug of your own. The colorful rug shown here, at right, was made from scraps of velour.
About the Designer:
Joyce is married to a handsome farmer, and has two children, Owen and Helen. She lives in Alabama and is currently expecting her third child. She writes an engaging blog, called The Funky Clothespin, where she hangs out thoughts, anecdotes, and whimsical family happenings for your perusal. Thoroughly enjoyable!
looks like a great project for summer, for my 'let's make our house into a comfy beach shack' series of craft tutorials.
I'll try to answer all the inquiries here while i'll be at it. Seems there are a lot of questions still out there.
Michelle – Utah
Jan 23, 2010 - 19:02
Doesn't the denim fray a lot? Is the a step that isn't listed but is supposed to keep the rug from fraying too much?
Susan
Jan 13, 2010 - 07:20
Hello,
This would be an excellent project for me to use up a bunch of scraps I have, but I'd love to have some more details about attaching the scraps of fabric. Thank you very much!
Barb Meredith – Iowa
Dec 20, 2009 - 20:41
I made this rug out of scraps from lighter weight denim jeans. I made it the size of a bath mat. Really looks neat & soft to step on. Very easy progect. Thanks for sharing.
Angel – India
Dec 17, 2009 - 02:34
Intersting and creative!
jackie branscum – Wellston, OK
Dec 13, 2009 - 13:01
I need more instructions on how to fold and sew the squares onto the base piece. Could you send me a diagram or picture of each step of the process? Or is there a way to get the original pattern?
kim – pa
Nov 29, 2009 - 22:28
I need more direction on the preparing and attaching the denim squares please. I have a big bag of denim just waiting to be made into this rug!
Danielle – Michigan
Nov 11, 2009 - 14:43
I like it but insted I am going to use bright colors
Danielle – United States
Nov 10, 2009 - 09:17
Wow thats amazing Its great its a good idea
Marie-- – Wisconsin
Oct 17, 2009 - 10:05
Thank you so much. I found this by looking for a unique pattern for a pillow. My motherinlaw had a rung she bought at a garage sale and It was like this, only in the dbl knits. Than you so much again!
4. Starting in the center of the denim fabric, and working outwards, begin sewing the fabric rectangles to the backing fabric. Sew straight through the middle of the rectangle width, so both sides stick up evenly, gathering the fabric either before you stick the fabric under the presser foot, or bunching it up as you sew. 
Grandma B's original double-knit scatter rugs were non-fraying and virtually indestructible, so if you have unwearables made from double-knit, velour, or other non-fraying fabrics, consider recycling them into a bright rug of your own. The colorful rug shown here, at right, was made from scraps of velour. 
