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I have been wanting to make one of these for our home for quite sometime and I am finally making it happen this week. I like the idea of the braided rug because it is made from recycled material that I would otherwise throw away. Plus the rug has a unique, primitive charm about it. It is extra special because it is 100% homemade too!

The instructions I found were pretty confusing, eventually I was able to make it all come together. With my simple instructions you will be able to make your own braided rug now too!

Here are the easy instructions followed by a helpful video tutorial:

1. Get fabric & cut strips

Gather scrap fabric & old clothes, you can color coordinate them based upon the desired color scheme of your rug. I like using dark fabric colors. Using white or lighter colored fabric will only show dirt and look dirty faster. Next cut the fabric into strips that are about 1 inch wide, the longer your strips the less sewing you will need to do later. Just get as many strips as you can from the scrap fabric you have rounded up. Also, the accuracy of the strip width is not really a huge deal it is just a guideline. I am not good a cutting straight lines so my strips weren’t perfect. The condition of your strips will greatly impact the look and feel of your rug. If you don’t mind a rustic rag look then hack those strips up but if you want a neater look take care when cutting your strips so they are not jagged.

2. Join strips together

Now sew a few of your fabric strips together to form 3 longer strips. Each strip should be about 12 – 18 inches long for optimal braiding ease. Strips that are too long will tangle while you braid and that is pretty annoying, you’ll see this mistake in the demonstration video.

3. Begin braiding

Now tie a knot at the top edge of the strips to secure the three fabric strips together. You can rubber band the strips to a door handle, coat rack or whatever is convenient for you. You can begin braiding the three strips together like you would braid hair. When you get to the edges of the fabric strips (leave about 1-2 inches from the edge) pin the braid so it doesn’t come undone and sew additional strips on to the braided strips so you can braid more.

4. Rinse and repeat

Continue braiding and sewing strips on till the cows come home! Seriously though, you should continue till your braid is long enough to make the size rug you desire. This is lots of braiding and sewing! Every now and then do a test wind to see how much rug your braid huge braid will make. Use a clothes pin to secure your braided fabric while you do your test wind (like the video shows). Add more fabric strips and continue braiding if necessary.

5. Sew coiled braids to finish

When your braid is the desired length tie it off and get some thread and a needle. You will now begin sewing your braid in the shape you want it. Sew each braid coil till you have a rug in your desired shape! Trim excess string and fabric when you are done sewing and you’ll have your very own homemade braided rug. Mine is a permanent fixture in front of my washroom sink. Give it a try, its super easy and rewarding!

Instructional Video:

If you enjoyed this and would like more craft project inspiration you should check out some of my past projects here.

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The most popular topic for this edition of make it from scratch is food, these ideas are mouthwatering and I can’t wait to try some of them out! If you are looking for creative recipes you have come to the right place.

One of the best ways to enjoy the food you eat is the raise it/ grow it yourself. This is the ultimate in self sufficiency and it’s easier than ever to Get Started Growing Vegetables. Home grown veggies are not old delicious but they are also very rewarding!

I know I enjoy freshly grown zucchini, green beans and perhaps some salad from my own garden and nothing goes better with freshly grown vegetables than some homemade Salad Dressings. Over at Funny about Money you will find six easy salad dressing recipes that are easy, delicious and addicting.

You could take your freshly grown green beans and onions to make Melissa’s Green Beans With Caramelized Onions recipe.

If you are looking for a creative sweet recipe head over at changing seasons you can find a creative recipe for Papaya Pie, it’s a great unique make it from scratch dessert recipe. If you like more traditional desserts you might consider making your own from scratch cake mix for a sweet treat.

Over at cheaphealthygood you can find a very inexpensive and delicious recipe that is great for entertaining… A Tale of Two Salsas. I love a good salsa and for about $.04 per serving the recipe is great for the pocket book too!

If you are like me you enjoy cooking enjoy making a meal for your loved one. Valentines day is just around the corner and you create a romantic home cooked meal for you and your loved one. Consider a quite evening at home by making Turkey Ragout with Rigatoni for you and your honey! Katy outlined the recipe so clearly and it seems very easy to try.

Or you could bring delicious Baked French Toast to your loved one in bed on valentines day with a single rose, a great way to start the day off and show you care!

Another delightful sweet recipe you could consider is making Quick and Easy Cream Scones recipe is courtesy of our red house and is one of the easiest and quickest make it from scratch recipes I have seen! Enjoying scones with jam and some coffee or tea is a great way to start your morning.

Making something from scratch can be very enjoyable and it’s also a great expression of love so give it a try for valentines day!

I hope you have enjoyed this edition of make it from scratch, next weeks edition of make it from scratch will be hosted by It’s all for the best and you can submit your own articles to the make it from scratch blog carnival

The post Make it from scratch blog carnival – Feburary 5th 2008 appeared first on Updates from Ryder Family Farm.

I have included a brief excerpt from each of the articles, if you click the excerpt it will take you to the article.

Make your own braided rug/ rag rug – Braided rugs are not only useful around the home but they are also a great way to recycle fabrics. You can make your own braided rug using old t-shirts…

How to make a t-shirt quilt – Everyone has a pile of t shirts that have sentimental value, you may never wear them again but you hold on to them because they remind you of where you have been and all you have been through…

How to make a cell phone cozy – These days everyone has a cell phone and they take it everywhere with them! Unfortunately, having your phone with you all the time can result in it…

How to make a duvet cover – Making your own duvet cover is great, it allows you to create exactly what youwant how you want it. You can add Velcro inside the duvet cover …

Recycling craft ideas – Crafting is a great hobby for both young and old but as with any hobby it canget expensive. If you have to run out and buy tons of supplies for your…

Creative do-it-yourself Christmas gift ideas – Whether you are trying to save money or if you just want to give a sentimental gift often times handmade/ homemade gifts are best. My favorite gift…

Autumn craft ideas for kids – What is more profuse in autumn then leaves? I love using items found in nature for my crafts! I have many craft projects that use autumn leaves so …

Origami projects for kids – Origami is great for kids because it improves hand eye coordination and it helps them feel comfortable reading and following written or visual inst…

Spring crafts for kids and families – Spring is a wonderful time of year because it symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings. Plants are springing back to life after the long, harsh winter…

The post I have many free craft project ideas for you appeared first on Updates from Ryder Family Farm.

All you need is a jar of your choice. Think about the gift recipient and decide what theme you want to use to decorate the jar. Once the jar is decorated you can fill it with strips of paper that have meaningful things written on them. For a gratitude jar you would write all the things you can remember that you are thankful for. Things that happened long ago or that were forgotten are the most memorable and touching. This is a wonderfully personalized gift just like a message in a bottle gift, that will be cherished by the recipient for many years to come!

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