How to Make a Rug Out of Cattle Hide

Lay the cattle hide on a flat surface. Examine the borders of the hide, especially around the legs, to ensure it sits completely flat on the ground. Some poor-quality leather hides, as well as those that have been exposed to the elements and heat for too long, will experience cigaring. This natural occurrence causes the sides to curl. You'll need to repair any cigaring or the hide will be a tripping hazard when turned into a rug.

Roll the cowhide into a tight tube onto itself in the opposite direction of the cigaring if the hide is curling at the sides. Squeeze and massage the tube in your hand. Unroll the hide to inspect whether it is now flat.

If the cigaring is not gone, lay the hide on a flat surface with the curling edges facing down. Put a clean cloth over the hide on whichever is facing up, whether the leather or hair side. Use an iron on a low-heat setting and press the hide flat. Use a light mist if needed, but do not soak the hide with water. Too much water will damage the material.

Trim the cowhide into a desired shape if you don't want to leave it in its natural form. Turn it so the hair side faces down. Use a piece of chalk to outline the shape you want to make from the material. Hold the hide taut.

Place a sharp craft knife onto the marked line. Wiggle the knife into the leather and draw the blade along the line, always cutting away from yourself. Do not worry about slicing completely through the hide, but instead make a slit into the material. Turn the hide 180 degrees and trace the line again with the knife. The hide will separate along the line. Continue cutting the hide until it's trimmed into the desired shape.

Buy some male Velcro dots. These small circles should have adhesive on one side and gripping hooks on the other. Turn the hide so the leather side faces up. Remove the backing from one of the Velcro dots and place it along the border of the rug. Continue adding gripping material along the perimeter of the back of the rug. These will help the rug stay flat and in place when placed on the floor.