How to Make Shirred Rugs

The prospect of making a rug without a loom or knitting experience may sound daunting, but shirred rugs are a surprisingly simple DIY project. The term "shirred" refers to the gathered appearance of the fabric that comprises the rug; shirred looks are also common in women's fashion and window treatments. Beyond the element of style a shirred rug can add to your home decor, making a shirred rug out of discarded scraps of fabric is a way to "go green."

5 to 6 yards wool or cotton fabric
Fabric shears or scissors
Heavy gauge sewing needle
Embroidery thread
Rug liner

Instructions

- 1
  Cut fabric into strips measuring 1 inch by 2 yards.
- 2
  
  Double thread for added strength.
  
  Pull embroidery thread through the eye of the needle and double the thread on itself, to create a double-strand thread at least 1 yard in length. Cut the spool end of the thread and tie ends together in a reinforced knot.
- 3
  
  Gather fabric into a wave or accordion fold, like the folds in this piece of paper.
  
  Choose a fabric strip and gather the first few inches into a wave fold. Draw the needle through the center of the gathered fabric and pull the thread until the knot catches. Continue to fold and gather material until you reach the end of the strip. Tie a simple knot to hold the bunched fabric in place.
- 4
  Align another strip of fabric below the first. Starting from the end you just finished, fold the second strip of fabric and sew as with the first.
- 5
  Continue to add strips of fabric, working back and forth with a continuous line of thread, until the rug has reach the desired length. If the thread runs out as you are working, cut the thread from the needle, tie a reinforced knot, and hide the knot within a fabric fold. Thread the needle again and continue the shirring process from the same spot. When the rug is at the desired length, cut the thread and tie into a reinforced knot.
- 6
  Rethread your needle with thread 3 to 4 inches longer than the length of the rug.
- 7
  Sew strips of fabric together lengthwise. Feed the thread through the first wave fold all the way through to the end of the rug, then secure with a knot. Repeat on the opposite side of the rug.
- 8
  Cut the rug liner to the size of the rug, save 1 inch on both length and width. Lay the rug flat and center the liner onto the rug, then sew it into place around all sides.

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