Last updated on February 3rd, 2021 at 07:20 pm
How to Make a Recycled Denim Scatter Rug
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 in two views, the first, after completion, and secondly, 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.
Alternatively, try making the denim bathroom rug that is part of a denim bathroom set. It is made from one inch strips of denim sewn to a denim fabric back.
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 of 2 by 3 inch rectangles of thin denim.
4. Starting in the center of the denim fabric, 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 three children. She writes an engaging blog, called The Funky Clothespin, where she hangs out thoughts, anecdotes, and whimsical family happenings for your perusal. Thoroughly enjoyable!
Marg says
I really love you rug. I love reusing denim it is the most beautiful fabric to Upcycle, all the blues work together. I realize there are other colours of denim and they can also be upcycled. For me Blue denim holds a special place in my heart. Its my go to.
I really need pictures of step by step instruction I am a experienced sewer, and I wasn’t sure what you were saying.
Please do it again with pictures. you would make this woman very happy. Please and Thank you
Jane Lake says
Hi, Marg, blue denim has a place in my heart too. I once wrote an essay in high school called: “An Ode to Blue Jeans” and that’s a long time ago. But I have to confess, I haven’t made this rug yet although it’s been on my “To Do” list for a while.
I promise you, once I get the sewing machine out and follow the instructions for this pattern (shared by a wonderful contributor to AllFreeCrafts quite a while ago), I’ll be documenting the process step-by-step. Problem is I have a long “To Do” list and it might be a while.
Many dozens of people have successfully followed this pattern with awesome results. If anyone has photos to share of their finished rug, or any part of the process, I’d be thrilled to publish them. You can reach me at editor (at) allfreecrafts.com (email) or on facebook/allfreecrafts or Pinterest.
Alex says
Is this rug washable if made in denim? I’m cutting my strips of old jeans but before I go further, will the denim fray when washed and add character or will it ruin my efforts?
Jane Lake says
Hi, Alex, I just realized the photo of the rug as it looks when just made was missing! I’ve replaced it, so you can see the difference between the rug just made, and the photo below it, which shows the denim rug both frayed and faded after washing and drying. I haven’t made this particular rug, but I have done a lot of other recycled denim projects. It’s a personal preference, but I like the frayed and faded look. (I’ve always loved naturally faded jeans).
I will point out though that this rug isn’t made from jeans, it’s made from thinner shirt denim fabric. I hope your sewing machine is robust!
Debbie says
It would be really helpful for newbies if you showed a picture of each step.
Jane says
I agree with you, Debbie, but unfortunately I don’t have access to any step-by-step photos. The designer generously shared the project with me, but it didn’t include a lot of photos.
Perhaps if someone tries this sewing project, they could take some helpful photos and send them to me. I’d gladly publish them here!
Alex says
I’m willing to try to send you images as I go along. Just need to know if I make mine in denim, will it fray a lot when washed and dried in the drier. I’m cutting my denim from old jeans as I type this up.
Jane Lake says
There is going to be fraying but see my reply to your previous comment. f you are still willing and able to send me photos to publish (might help a lot of people), that would be lovely!
You can reach me directly: editor(at)allfreecrafts.com
Dana says
I’m a little confused. How are you turning the rectangles into bow ties without wrinkling the back? Love the rug !
Jane Lake says
I haven’t made the rug, but I have sewn similar things and made a lot of ruffles. If you look at Step 4, she does explain the method, although I can see why you’re wondering why the back doesn’t pucker as you sew. I think the answer lies in using a heavy-duty denim or heavier weight backing fabric than the lightweight denim used for the rectangles. The process of puckering or ruffling is done to each rectangle before going under the presser foot or as you are feeding it through. Might be a bit awkward at first, but I think you’d soon get a feel for it. Good luck if you try it!
Lissia says
I have a lot of old jeans that r not wearable, what could u suggest I could make with them?
Jane Lake says
Check out the ideas on my Blue Jeans Love page: http://www.allfreecrafts.com/recycling/denim/
Lynda Vickers says
Hi, just found your denim rug! Can you make it out of blue jeans as long as you use a jean needle? Wish I had my Small Singer Featherlite (inshop)it would sew through anything! I don’t think I have enough denim clothes or thinner bluejeans. Guess I could go to Goodwill and find some maybe. We have snow in the Winters here in Colorado and this would work by my front door for snowy wet boots. Thank you for such good instructions.
Lynda
Jane Lake says
Hi, Lynda, I haven’t heard from anyone yet who has tried this with regular weight denim. You’re right, a jean needle would make it easier, and I, too, have had favorite machines in the past that would cope with anything. We also have wicked winters here and thicker denim would certainly be useful to deal with snow. If you do try this, please let me know how you get on; I’m sure there are other people who are wondering about this as well.
farmboy says
What is the size of that rug?
Susan says
I just found a huge, AND I MEAN HUGE…..bag of Double knit, clothes.
Most of it will be used for rugs….
Buttttt…lol…I found a nice pile, I’m keeping to wear!
Jane Lake says
Well, now you’ve got me curious. I’d love to see what you make. And what you end up wearing!
Tammy says
Wish you showed step by step pictures or a video. Never done anything like this and would love to try.
Jane Lake says
Hi, Tammy,
I haven’t made this yet either, but I’d love to try too. If I find time this fall, I’ll try to take step-by-step photos to add to this tutorial.
Thanks for your comment!
Jane
REBECCA DUFF says
I am totally lost on the instructions..I get more out of pictures or seeing something than reading ‘how to’…I d love to try this