How to Make Nylon Stocking Rugs

Use the color remover to prepare the nylons for dye. While the color remover will not make the nylons white, it will give them all the same starting point for the dye step. This helps ensure an even color throughout the dyeing process.

Dye the hoisery according to manufacturers directions. Use as many colors as you want for your rug. The longer you leave the fabric in the dye mixture, the darker it will be. So if you want a rug that is different shades of the same color, leave some of the nylons in for a short time and let others stew longer. Let the stockings dry.

Cut the legs off of the pantyhose. Cut off the feet so you are left with long tubes. Cut the tubes length-wise into strips that are about 2 inches wide.

Stack three of the strips together. Sew across one end to secure them. Braid the strips. When you get close to the end, sew three more strips onto the ends of the first set. Keep braiding and adding strips. When you have either no more strips or the braid is as long as you want it to be, stack the ends and sew them together, trimming any excess

Lay out your rug. Start in the center with one end of the braid. Wind the braid around itself on a flat surface. For an oval rug, make a hair pin shape in the center, then keep winding around that. For a round rug, make a spiral out of the braid.

Stitch the braid together, starting in the center. Keep an even tension on your stitches, which need to be loose enough so the rug will lie flat, but not so loose so that it comes apart. If you notice the rug start to cup as you stitch it, the stitches are too tight. If you see your work surface through the stitching, it is too loose. Tuck the ends underneath and stitch them in place so they are hidden.