How to Bind Rug Edges

Binding the edges of area rugs is necessary to prevent unraveling and to prolong the life of this type of rug. When rug edges are finished with a quality binding that holds up to foot traffic, the area rug will stay nice-looking much longer. This method also allows you to turn leftover carpeting pieces into rugs. The method uses few tools and takes little time. The results will be high-quality and long-lasting.

Tape measure
T-square ruler
Carpet cutter
Carpet binding
Glue gun

Instructions

- 1
  Use the tape measure and the T-square ruler to make sure that all of the rug's edges are straight and are the length desired.
- 2
  Draw lines on the underside to indicate cutting lines if size adjustments are necessary. Cut along the lines with the carpet cutter carefully.
- 3
  Measure one side of the rug piece and cut a length of the carpet binding in the same length. Lay out the carpet binding and begin to peel away the paper layer that protects the adhesive of the carpet binding. Peel away only about 2 feet of paper to begin.
- 4
  Line up the carpet binding along the edge of the rug. Press the rug edge down onto the exposed adhesive of the carpet binding.
- 5
  Continue pressing the rug edge down onto the adhesive of the carpet binding. Peel away more of the paper layer as you work your way down the edge of the rug. Apply the carpet binding to the underside of one entire edge of the rug.
- 6
  
  Plug in the glue gun. When the glue gun is hot, begin to apply hot glue to the area of the carpet binding that extends out from the underside of the rug. Work on small areas at a time and as soon as you have applied approximately 6 inches of glue, fold the carpet binding up along the edge of the carpet on the top side. There should be equal amounts of binding on the underside and the top side of the carpet to enclose the raw edges of the carpet. Hold the binding in place with your hands until the hot glue has cooled and set.
- 7
  Continue applying hot glue to the carpet binding in 6-inch increments and folding up the edge of the binding to finish the side edge as described in step 6. Work until the entire side of the rug is finished.
- 8
  Repeat steps 3 through 7 to finish the other three sides of the rug.

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