How to Bind a Carpet Remnant With Tape

Make the edges of your carpet remnant square and clean, using a utility knife and a straightedge as a guide. This will ensure that you not only have a good-looking rug, but also that the binding tape will properly adhere.

Measure your carpet remnant to ensure you buy enough binding tape. It's probably a good idea to get a bit extra just in case of any mistakes. Make sure you buy do-it-yourself carpet binding tape, which has a rounded edge on one side. This will make your end result more durable and visually appealing.

Cut the appropriate measurement of binding tape for each edge of your remnant with scissors or a utility knife. When you reach the corners, you have two options -- cut the tape at an angle and join the two pieces together to form a sharp corner, or cut the tape with a square edge that has a bit of overhang so you can attach the next piece of tape onto it. The amount of overhang will depend on the thickness of the tape's rounded edge.

Lay the carpet on the binding tape so the rounded edge of the tape fits snugly against the edges of the carpet remnant. Peel the backing paper from the carpet-binding tape and press the underside of the carpet remnant onto the sticky side of the tape, ensuring the rolled tape edge is firmly pressed against the side of the carpet piece. Continue with each side of the remnant until the tape surrounds all sides.

Secure one end of the binding tape to the other end with a dab of hot glue applied to the rolled tape edge. Press both sides together and hold for several seconds until the glue sticks.