How to Make Persian Rug Designs

Study Persian rug design. Survey actual rugs in nearby shops when possible and look at photos of Persian rugs in books or on websites such as Pak Persian Rugs. You'll find Persian rug designs categorized commonly by patterns called "rectilinear" (based on angular or geometric lines), "curvilinear" (based on curved or rounded lines) or a combination of both. Note that most Persian rug designs are symmetrical, usually with a medallion at the center and repeating motifs in scattered or connected patterns on the main field and surrounding borders.

Learn to recognize some of the most common motifs in Persian rug design. You'll see geometric patterns of diamonds, squares, triangles, hexagons, stars, combs, crosses and stripes, as well as curvilinear representations of trees (a tree of life shows a combination of birds, chickens, fish, fruit and/or flowers hanging from the branches as well as leaves), jugs, flower-filled vases, leaves, flowers, fruit, entwined fish, paisley, dogs and flames, and composites of both geometric and curvilinear motifs in the field and borders of Persian rugs.

Consider the materials and colors you'll use for your Persian design project. Look at the space where you plan on displaying the project to decide on a good color fit. Match materials to the complexity of the project, using simpler designs for smaller, less intricate mediums.

Choose an existing Persian rug design and adapt it to a project, or create your own Persian design based on the traditional patterns and motifs you've studied. Draw the initial Persian design out on drawing paper with colored pencils. Make alterations and corrections as necessary. When you're satisfied, draw the design to scale on graph paper.

Take the drawings to the area where the Persian rug design project will be displayed. Check to ensure that the design matches the function and aesthetics of the area. Make any additional adjustments to the pattern or colors of the Persian design as necessary.