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!
How cute is that. I totally love this pattern. Thanks so much.
Rose – Farmerville, La.
Jun 12, 2009 - 11:53
Wow! I love that rug !I've got all kinds of demim scraps ,and I'm ready to get started .Thank you so much for sharin' the idea ! La.Rose
Denim Lover
May 23, 2009 - 15:33
I am SO in love with that rug! I just made a dog bed for my dog, which made me invoved with crafts recycling my old jeans. I was wondering, I wear about a double-zero. I have about six pairs I want to use. Will that be to thick? Will that be enough? Thanks!
-A wondering little girl?????
Lucy – Brooklyn
Apr 15, 2009 - 15:26
I love this rug Denim scattered rug but I'm having trouble making it
is it possible you can do a visual illustration of how to If is not to trouble beautiful work love the entire theme for denim I am a denim freak
GlendaJean Hepburn – Far N QLD Australia
Apr 13, 2009 - 22:28
Wonderful to see this pattern Hubbys Gran use to make them & I had forgotten about them, now I can use all those pieces of fabric I don't want in my patchwork but can not bear to part with. Can any one check in on your blog sounds like a teaching one of idea’s. Cheers Glendajean Down Under
Scherrie – Ft. Worth, TX
Nov 30, 2008 - 20:05
I found this looking for Christmas crafts ? go figure - ha? Anyway, I LOVE IT !!! I sew lots for my granddaughter but my grandson doesn't get as much. This will be perfect for his room. I plan to make one for him and maybe another one for my son too. I can't wait to start. You are so smart. It makes such sense. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings
joanna imbao – philippines
Nov 25, 2008 - 11:25
i love denim! i have a collection of old denims dark, light..... i made some bags, make up case, shoe bags, a cover for my couch and i have a lot of left overs or trimmings. and because of your idea i now have use for them. thank you!
Elsie – Saskatoon,SK, Canada
Nov 15, 2008 - 21:43
Do you have a pattern for potholders that are frayed?
Kelly – Pittsburgh, Pa.
Oct 14, 2008 - 08:23
I found this pattern last week & haven't gotten around to trying it yet but it looks great. I think my daughter would love a pink version of it in her room. I am planning to make it. Well, over the weekend, my husband & I rode up to Smicksburg, Pa. which is a little Amish town. One of the Amish shops had this type of rug on display. It was even blue! The backing was made from denim but the rectangles were a cotton material. I had to laugh. I told my husband that I had found a pattern for that rug & am planning on making it for our daughter's room.
Denise – Ft. Laud, Fla
Oct 01, 2008 - 19:48
Could never seem to throw out old denim & they just kept collecting in a BIG box.... then I stumbled into your website & got the fever, so many things to make!!! Made a weight sack to hang from large Canopy Tents so they dont get blown away. Recycled some old 2 1/2 lb hand weights, small pants leg bottom, a few inches of the pants thick inseam binding, some white sand as filler. Stitch the bottom closed, insert weights & sand, place the inseam strap however you want it to hang (from a corner, or corner to corner, or just a center spot) then stitch it closed. To hang you can use zip ties or make the haning strap long enough to loop it through itself from the canopy bars. Hang from the corner poles to prevent head injuries however! Works great!!
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. 
