- 1). Cut strips of scrap fabric 1-1/2 inches wide. You will need a lot of strips, but more can be cut as you go along if necessary.
- 2). Fold over 2 inches at the end of a strip. Cut a 1-inch slit straight down through the fold. Cut a slit on the other end of the strip in the same way. Repeat the slits on each cut strip.
- 3). Attach strips together to prepare for braiding. You need three strips, approximately 45 inches long, to start. To attach strips, place the top slit of the bottom or add-on strip over the bottom slit of the top strip. Bring the bottom of the add-on strip up and through the slit of the overlapping strips, from the back to the front. Pull the add-on strip all the way through the slit to complete the connection.
- 4). Stack three strips on top of each other, matching the short ends. Using a sewing machine, sew across one short end of the strips one-fourth inch from the edge. Attach a large safety pin to the sewn end of the strips. Using the safety pin, attach the strips to the arm of a couch, chair or a convenient object that will hold the end as you work.
- 5). Braid the strips together loosely. Attach additional strips as they are needed. Keep the working strips no longer than about 45 inches long to avoid tangling. As you work, move the safety pin down the braid to a more comfortable position. Continue until all the strips are braided or until you have a good size pile. As you create the rug, you can still add more strips.
- 6). Form the beginning end of the braid into a 2-inch coil, with the braid lying flat. Zigzag stitch an "X" across the surface of the coil.
- 7). Continue to coil the braid around the stitched center, slightly overlapping the braid's long edges. Zigzag stitch the overlapping edges.
- 8). Continue coiling, overlapping and stitching until the braided rag rug is the desired size. Add and braid more strips if needed.
- 9). Cut the end of the braid to even up the strips. Sew across the end to secure the braid. Tuck the last two inches of the braid to the back of the rug and zigzag stitch to finish off.
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