The technique of flat-wrapped rug-making developed from an ancient way of making baskets. Rather than using traditional basket materials, a rug is made by wrapping a rope with strips of fabric cut out of yardage, bedding or even older clothes. This type of rug-making is a thrifty way to generate a sturdy rug for a kitchen, playroom or bedroom. The process may also be used to make coasters, hot pads and placemats. Make one of these smaller projects to practice the technique before making an entire rug.
Wash and dry cotton fabric or bedsheets. Straighten the cut ends of the fabric and trim off the selvedges. If you’re using bedsheets, cut off the top and bottom hems and the side borders or selvedges. Lay a ruler along one side edge of the fabric or sheet and clip in 2-inch periods to mark the width of the fabric strips you may use to wrap the rug. Tear the fabric throughout the breadth of the sheet in the clip marks to make the fabric strips.
Match a finish of a fabric strip to the end of the rope or cord so the strip meets the rope in around a 60-degree angle; secure by taking some stitches with a large sewing needle and heavy thread, like button and carpet thread. Wind the fabric across the rope 1 to 2 inches, or enough to fold the rope back on itself to make a round loop that’s only wide enough to pass the fabric strips through. Secure the loop and fabric by making a few stitches with a needle and needle thread.
Thread the loose end of the fabric strip through a large-eyed tapestry needle. Make one wrap round the rope outside the loop, then pass the needle through the rope loop to hold with the loop as well as the working end of this rope. Wrap the fabric after and pass the needle through the loop again. Continue in this fashion, wrapping the fabric and also passing the needle during previous loops of rope, until you are in 6 inches of the fabric end.
Remove the needle and place it aside. Fold the end of the fabric strip back about 1/2 inch and cut a lengthwise slit in the end of the strip, making sure not to cut through the end of the strip. Cut a similar slit at the end of the following fabric strip. Combine the strips together by passing the slitted end of this free strip into the slit of the very first strip. Pull the free strip around about 2 inches and pass its opposite end through itself in the slit. Gently tighten the knot you only made to join the ends together. Thread the needle in the free end of this newly attached strip.
Wrap and weave the fabric and rope together as before, joining fabric strips as required until the rug attains the size you desire. As the rug gets larger you can make three to five wraps before passing the needle during the prior rope loop. When you are in 2 to 4 inches of the end, cut the rope with an angle throughout the length to grade it in the body of this rug. Keep on wrapping and rubbed the fabric to the end of the cut rope. Using the needle, then weave the fabric into the wraps on the back-side of this rug, going back and forth a few times to hide the loose end; then trim with scissors near the rug surface. Secure the loose end by stitching with deep thread, or employ fabric glue into the cut end and let it dry overnight.
