Mary was braiding a new rug. She had cut worn-out woolen clothes in strips, and Ma had put each color in a separate box. Mary kept the boxes in order and remembered where each color was. She was braiding the rag-strips together in a long braid that coiled down in a pile beside her chair.
—The Long Winter
On the prairie, no scrap of fabric could go to waste, and you had to do what you could to make your home feel cozy. From beautiful quilts, to fashion accessories, no scrap went unused. Ma’s resourcefulness is one of the things we love so much about her.
When reading the Little House on the Prairie books as a child, I loved to learn how the Ingalls girls used what they had to make lovely decorations, like braiding rags into rugs. Their creativity has inspired this fun and easy DIY project. All you need to know is how to cut, braid, and stitch. You don’t even need to do any of these particularly well to get a great result.
Supplies for Your Braided Rug Inspired Placemat
- Assorted shirts
- Scissors
- Rotary cutter
- Ruler
- Safety pins
- Needle and thread
How to Make a Braided Rug Inspired Placemat
Start by selecting your shirts. For contrast, look for different colors.
Fold the shirts in half down the front. Using scissors, cut down one of the sides. Cut off the bottom hem, then cut up the shirt into 2.5″ strips. Repeat for all the shirts.
Select three strips, pin the ends of the three strips together.
Braid the strips together.
When you get to the end of one strip, add a new strip of fabric by overlapping the last two inches and securing it as you braid.
As you continue braiding, the new color will be secured, as you can see with the peach strip above.
Keep adding new strips and braiding them in until your braided rope is long enough for the rug you want to make. Use a safety pin to pin the ends together.
Thread your needle. Wrap the thread around one end of the braided rope, cutting off the excess braid.
Fold about 1.5″ of the braid back over on itself. Stitch together the sides that are touching. Don’t worry if your stitches show, this will be the underside of the braided rug.
Spiral the braid around, stitching in place as you go.
Keep spiraling the braid around, and keep stitching.
When you get to the end of your braid, decide if your rug is large enough. If it is not large enough, you can braid in more shirt strips, and keep going. Once the rug is large enough, trim the ends, tuck them to the back, then stitch in place.
Flip over your braided rug – you’re all done!
This is so beautiful and such a practical item. Use a series of these as old-fashioned placemats, or create a slightly larger oval-shaped rug to use as a table centerpiece. See more fabric craft ideas to inspire your pioneering spirit!
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FAQs
What kind of needle and thread should I use?
Use a sturdy hand-sewing needle and strong thread, such as upholstery thread, quilting thread, or heavy-duty polyester thread. If you are working with thicker fabric like denim or wool, a longer, heavier needle may be easier to use.
Choose a thread colour that blends with your fabric if you do not want the stitches to show. The most important thing is that the thread is strong enough to hold the rows together securely.
Why won’t my braided rug lie flat?
If your braided rug curls, puckers, or starts to look like a bowl, it usually means there is too much tension somewhere in the project. The braid may be too tight, the rows may be stitched together too firmly, or the outer edge may not have enough room to spread as you spiral.
Try keeping the braid relaxed, pinning the rug flat as you work, and checking the shape often. When stitching, avoid pulling the rows tightly together. If the finished piece still curls, try lightly steaming or pressing it, then placing it under something flat and heavy until it settles.
How many T-shirts do I need to make a braided placemat?
The number of T-shirts needed will depend on the size of the shirts, the width of the strips, and how tightly you braid and stitch. For a placemat-sized project, start with about 3–4 adult T-shirts in different colours.
The nice thing about this project is that you can keep adding strips as you go. If your placemat is not large enough, simply braid in more fabric before finishing the end.
How can I make a thicker braided mat?
To make a thicker mat, try using wider fabric strips or doubling the strips before braiding. You can also use heavier fabrics, such as denim, fleece, or sturdy old sweatshirts.
For a pet mat or cushion, stitch the rows together very securely. You could also make two braided mats and stitch them together for extra thickness. It will not be as soft as a stuffed bed, but it should be easier to wash, repair, and reuse.
How do I finish the end of a braided placemat?
To finish the end, trim the tail so you have just enough left to tuck neatly to the underside of the placemat. Fold the end toward the back, tuck it under the last row or two of braid, and stitch it securely in place.
If you are using doubled twine wrapped with fabric, trim the twine slightly shorter than the fabric. Fold the extra fabric over the cut end of the twine, tuck it under the last row, and stitch it down. If you are using a zigzag stitch, sew back and forth over the tucked end a few times to anchor it.
Can I make this braided rug placemat in a heart shape?
Yes, you may be able to adapt the method into a heart shape, though this tutorial does not include a specific heart-shaped pattern. Try sketching or cutting out a heart-shaped paper template first, then coil and stitch the braid around that shape as you work.
For the top of the heart, you will need to create a small “V” shape before wrapping the braid around it. Then gently shape the bottom into a point as you continue stitching.
Can I use 5-inch fabric squares to make a braided rug?
Yes, but the squares need an extra step first. Braided rugs require long strips of fabric, so you would need to sew the squares together into longer rows before cutting or folding them into strips for braiding.
This can create a pretty patchwork effect, but it may take more time than starting with shirts, sheets, or other larger pieces of fabric. If the squares are lightweight or made from mixed materials, they may also work well for quilts, patchwork placemats, pet mats, or other small projects.
Can I use jeans or denim for a braided rug?
Yes, jeans can work well, especially for a sturdier braided mat or rug. Denim is heavier than T-shirt fabric, so it may be harder to braid and stitch by hand.
Cut the denim into thinner strips than you would with softer fabric, and try to use denim pieces that are similar in weight. A strong needle and heavy-duty thread will make the sewing easier. Starting with a small mat is a good way to test how the denim handles before making a larger rug.
Printable Instructions
Supplies
- Assorted shirts
- Scissors
- Rotary cutter
- Ruler
- Safety pins
- Needle and thread
Instructions
- Fold the shirts in half down the front. Using scissors, cut down one of the sides. Cut off the bottom hem, then cut up the shirt into 2.5″ strips. Repeat for all the shirts.
- Select three strips, pin the ends of the three strips together.
- Braid the strips together.
- When you get to the end of one strip, add a new strip of fabric by overlapping the last two inches and securing it as you braid.
- As you continue braiding, the new color will be secured, as you can see with the peach strip above.
- Keep adding new strips and braiding them in until your braided rope is long enough for the rug you want to make. Use a safety pin to pin the ends together.
- Thread your needle. Wrap the thread around one end of the braided rope, cutting off the excess braid.
- Fold about 1.5″ of the braid back over on itself. Stitch together the sides that are touching. Don’t worry if your stitches show, this will be the underside of the braided rug.
- Spiral the braid around, stitching in place as you go. Keep spiraling the braid around, and keep stitching.
- When you get to the end of your braid, decide if your rug is large enough. If it is not large enough, you can braid in more shirt strips, and keep going. Once the rug is large enough, trim the ends, tuck them to the back, then stitch in place.
- Flip over your braided rug – you’re all done!
A crafty mom of 2 active boys, Carolina prefers sewing, gluing, and painting to doing laundry and dishes. She has been sewing since she was 6, quilting since she was 12, and can't remember a time she wasn't creative. X-rays have proven she doesn't have an un-crafty bone in her body!
Would love to do but do not know how but I can braid. Just don’t know how to put it together never knew about crafts find it difficult but I would love to do . I love ❤️ the series have watched it all the way through many times on my 3rd cancer and find that Little House on the Prairie ♥️Heart warming full of love and very entertaining and enjoyable!!!!! I wish I could see the 50tg or any year reunion I know we have lost may but they are all in my heart forever just like the show!!!!!
Thank you! It’s such a fun way to turn old shirts or fabric scraps into something useful and cozy. The braiding and stitching are simple once you get started, and it’s a lovely project for anyone who enjoys old-fashioned crafts inspired by Little House on the Prairie. We’d love to hear how yours turns out if you make one!
I have several Pendleton wool flannel shirts from my late father. I am wondering if these would be good to use for a braided rug or braided seat cushions? If so, what kind of other material(s) could I combine with it?
What a meaningful way to use your father’s shirts. Pendleton wool flannel could work beautifully for a braided rug or braided seat cushions, especially because wool is sturdy and has a lovely texture.
I would recommend combining it with similar woven fabrics rather than stretchy T-shirt material. Other wool flannel, wool blankets, wool suiting, or sturdy woven cottons would likely work best. The key is to keep the fabrics fairly similar in weight and stretch so the braid stays even and the finished piece lies flat.
Since the shirts are sentimental, you might want to start with a smaller project, like a seat cushion or table mat, before using them in a larger rug. I’d also be careful with washing, since wool can shrink or felt. If the shirts need cleaning first, use the same gentle method for all the fabrics before cutting them into strips.
I have braided with used t-shirts twice now and keep the fabric flat on the table while I’m attaching the braids. The first time I thought maybe I pulled the fabric to tight so the second time I attached the braids looser. Both times the fabric once lifted off the table won’t lay flat again. please help.
Thank-you.
Helen
Hi Helen, this is a common issue with braided rugs, especially when using stretchy T-shirt fabric. If the rug curls or won’t lie flat once you lift it, it usually means there is too much tension somewhere — either in the braid itself, in how tightly the braid is being spiraled, or in the stitching.
A few things to try:
Keep the braid relaxed and avoid pulling it tight as you stitch.
Lay the rug flat as you work and pin each section in place before stitching.
When you spiral the braid, give the outer edge a little extra ease so it has room to spread.
Avoid stitching too tightly between rows, since that can pull the rug into a bowl shape.
Once finished, you can try lightly steaming or pressing it, then placing it under something flat and heavy for a day or two.
T-shirt fabric stretches, so it can take a little experimenting. You may also find it easier to work with fabric strips that are all similar in weight and stretch.
What a wonderful craft to run into! I am looking forward to making my own rug, with my goal being to use it as a bath mat! Thank you for the simple to follow tutorial. 🙂
Hiya! Is there a way to prevent the edges from rolling in? I’ve tried it a couple times and it looks like a bowl… Any advice? Thanks!
I haven’t made a rug yet but i have heard that the sweet grandmas in my family that used to make them would stick them between the bed mattresses until they flattened out 🙂 hope that helps.
Hi! Yes — when a braided rug starts to look like a bowl, it usually means the braid or stitching is a little too tight, especially around the outside edge.
Try keeping the braid loose and relaxed as you work, and avoid pulling the rows tightly together when you stitch them. As you spiral the braid, make sure the outer edge has a bit of extra room to spread. It can also help to pin the rug flat as you go and check it often by lifting it off the table.
T-shirt fabric can be tricky because it stretches, so using strips that are similar in weight and stretch will also help. If it still curls a little when finished, try lightly steaming or pressing it, then placing it under something flat and heavy until it settles.
I received boxes of material, all cut into small squares like 5 inch by 5 inch. Is there anyway I can make into braided rug somehow?
The person that gave me material runs a dog rescue and was hoping to raise money by possibly making quilts and braided rugs.
Yes, you could still use them, but 5-inch squares would need an extra step before they’ll work well for a braided rug.
For a braided rug, you need longer strips of fabric, so you could sew the squares together into long rows first, then cut or fold those rows into strips for braiding. It may take more time than starting with shirts or sheets, but it could create a really pretty patchwork effect.
If the fabric squares are very small, lightweight, or mixed materials, they might actually be better suited to quilts, patchwork placemats, pet mats, or small braided projects rather than a large rug. For a dog rescue fundraiser, quilted pet blankets or small washable mats could be a wonderful use for them too.
I am looking for a heart shaped pattern would you know where I could find one?
That would be such a sweet project! We don’t have a specific heart-shaped pattern available with this tutorial, but you may be able to adapt the same braided-rug method.
Instead of starting with a straight fold for an oval shape, try sketching or cutting out a heart-shaped paper template first, then coil and stitch your braid around that shape as you work. For the top of the heart, you’ll need to create a small “V” shape before wrapping the braid around it, then gently shape the bottom into a point. One braided-rug tutorial also suggests starting a heart shape with a small V in the centre and wrapping the braids around it.
You may also want to search Google for “heart-shaped braided rug pattern” or “heart-shaped rag rug tutorial” for a visual guide before you begin.
Would jeans work for this? I have many with rips from my husband looking for a way of using them.
Yes, jeans can work, especially for a sturdier braided mat or rug. Denim is heavier than T-shirt fabric, though, so it can be a little harder to braid and stitch by hand.
I would cut the jeans into thinner strips than you would with softer fabric, and try to use denim that is similar in weight so the braid stays even. You may also want to use a strong needle and heavier thread, since denim can be tough to sew through.
It’s a great way to give ripped jeans a second life! I’d suggest starting with a small mat first to see how the denim handles before making a larger rug.
Hi Carolina, I’m SO excited to try this! My great grandma used to quilt and make rag rugs. I have a quick question that I didn’t see previously asked or answered in the instructions. How big is the placemat and how many T-shirts did it take to make it?
Thank you so much for all the crafty ideas! Now that I’m no longer able to work due to a back injury, I have tons of free time and need ideas to keep me busy!
Hi Cynthia, what a lovely family connection to this project! The exact finished size and number of T-shirts can vary depending on the size of the shirts, the width of your strips, and how tightly you braid and stitch.
For a placemat-sized project, I’d start with 3–4 adult T-shirts in different colours. The nice thing about this method is that you can keep adding strips as you go, so if your placemat isn’t large enough yet, you can simply braid in more fabric before finishing the end.
Since you’re dealing with a back injury, this is also a good project to do in small stages — cutting one day, braiding another, and stitching when you feel up to it. Hope you enjoy making it!
Looks great. Just wondering if there is anyway to make it thicker, I have a dog that destroys every bed I give him, he rips them open and pulls out all the stuffing so I’m going to try and make him one that has no stuffing but I want him to be comfortable on it, any ideas would be great.
That sounds like a smart solution for a determined dog! To make it thicker and more comfortable, you could try using wider strips of fabric or doubling the strips before braiding so each braid has more bulk.
You might also want to use heavier fabrics, such as denim, fleece, or sturdy old sweatshirts, rather than thin T-shirts. Just try to keep the fabrics similar in weight and stretch so the braid stays even.
For a dog mat, I’d suggest making the braid fairly thick and stitching the rows together very securely. You could also make two braided mats and stitch them together for extra cushion. It won’t be as soft as a stuffed bed, but it should be much harder for him to rip apart — and much easier to wash or repair if needed.
The rope stitching with a zig zag stitchI am trying to make a braided place mat with a tiny rope doubled together and wrapping the fabric around my problem is how to end the mat!
My problem is how to end the braided place mat I am sing the twine method doubled then wrapping the fabric around the twine but how do I end it what do I do with the tail?
That’s a great question. When you get to the end, trim the tail so you have just enough left to tuck neatly to the underside of the placemat.
If you’re wrapping fabric around doubled twine, fold the fabric-covered tail toward the back of the mat and tuck it under the last row or two of braid. Then stitch it securely in place with strong thread, making sure the stitches go through the wrapped tail and the nearby rows so it won’t come loose.
If the twine itself is bulky, you may want to trim the twine slightly shorter than the fabric, then fold the fabric over the end before tucking and stitching. That will give you a cleaner finish and hide the raw end.
You’re not alone — finishing the end can be one of the trickier parts of this project. Since you’re using doubled twine wrapped with fabric, try trimming the twine slightly shorter than the fabric. Then fold the extra fabric over the cut end of the twine to cover it. Tuck that finished end under the last row of the placemat and stitch it down securely.
If you’re using a zigzag stitch, you can sew back and forth over the tucked end a few times to anchor it. You may also want to add a few hand stitches if the end feels bulky or doesn’t want to stay flat. That should give you a cleaner finish and keep the tail from coming loose.
i love your look of this. but what needle and thread do you reccomend for sewing this?
For sewing the braid together, I’d recommend using a sturdy hand-sewing needle and a strong thread, such as upholstery thread, quilting thread, or heavy-duty polyester thread.
If you’re using T-shirt fabric, a regular sharp needle may work, but if your fabric is thicker, you may find it easier to use a longer, heavier needle. The most important thing is that the thread is strong enough to hold the rows together securely as the placemat is used.
You may also want to choose a thread colour that blends with your fabric, especially if you don’t want the stitches to show.
Nevermind! Found the link to the Facebook page under the Community section of the website. 🙂
My 8 year old and I made this. The only issue was that the colors switched dramatically from our first three colors to the next three. Should we have alternated using the different colors instead of using all the color, which we continued until we were out of that color and then switched to the new color? Does my question make sense?
Yes, your question makes total sense! You did not do it “wrong”, just different, and you’ll get a different (though still very fun) result! If you use three of the same/similar color for your braid, and then switch them all up partway, when you spiral them to make a rug, you’ll get a “bullseye” look, rather than the scrappy look shown here. If you braid all one color shirt for the first 80-90%, and then a second color for the last bit, you’ll have a rug that looks like it has a border around it. These are also lots of fun! Please share a picture of your project on the Little House on the Prairie Facebook page – we’d love to see your progress!
Ok! We are going to make another one and we will try it one of the other ways next time. It was a great project and we really enjoyed it. I’ll post a picture there, but which Little House Facebook group is it?
I’ve tried sewing a t-shirt braided rug together 3 times. It keeps puckering and looks more like a hat what can i do to stop it puckering up?
Thanks for sharing this idea! I’ve braided several wool rugs, but never thought to use cotton and make braided placemats. To make the rug reversible, rather than pinning the ends together at the beginning, I’d stitch them into a T-shape before you begin to braid. Then to end the rug, use a needle nose pliers to tuck the strip raw ends into the next to the last braid and stitch to hold in place. A reversible rug will last longer!
the rugs look great i can handle doing them. my hrs have been cut at work starting in February so i plan to do more crafts,and for the T-shirts i can use the clothes that are to small or just use extra material that I have. Thanks for the suggestions, i cant wait to get started.
Thanks for sharing how its done. I tried to crochet the strips and was too hard to do. Maybe would be easier if I used stretchy t-shirts. But like the braided idea better. To get a supply of t-shirts I will go to Goodwill or Salvation Army as want to use my suppy of shirts for a t-shirt quilt. Helped my daughter make one and it turned out great. We used the flexible iron on backing to stabilize the shirt squares.
love doing crafts
My Mother-in-law made braided rugs n I would enjoy making them n other crafts
LoveLittle House and Love those braided rugs!!
I try to make it thanks for the idea
Hello! Excited to do this, but I have 2 questions… What us a rotary cutter? Also, when you put to cut strips into 2.5″, are you saying 2 and a 1/2 inches? Or 2 feet, 5 inches?
Thank you!
Tina
It’s kinda looks like a pizza cutter but you use it to cut straight lines in fabric. If you look in the second picture you will see a rotary cutter.
I for sure want to make this rug but do you have to use shirts? Can you use used sheets another material?
You can use whatever fabric you have on hand. I had old t-shirts, so that is what I used. I would stick to one kind of fabric, though. If you use shirts, use all shirts and knit fabrics. If you use sheets, stick to woven fabrics (flannel shirts and work shirts could be combined with the sheets). This is because the knit fabrics stretch more than the woven fabrics, and it will be easier to keep an even braid if you stick to just one kind of fabric.
I have been braiding rug material for a while guess I better get busy and put it together
Im so going to try this with my kids and hopefully if i do it right i can give them out as christmas gifts and deccorate my new home next year.