How to Make Fabric Tapestry Rugs

• 1). Choose your pattern and fabrics.
  
  
• 2). Wash your fabric and dry to prevent shrinkage.
  
  
• 3). Tear some sample strips and see how they crochet. Determine whether they need to be wider, narrower, on the straight or the bias, torn or cut, folded or flat. Tear or cut the fabric into strips 1 to 1.5 inches depending on its weight. Fabric strip widths are a personal preference and should be what is most comfortable for you.
  
  
• 4). Fold the raw edges in toward the center for a more finished look and begin to cast on your chain stitches according to your pattern. Depending on the fabric, you may also leave the strips flat. For a square or rectangular rug, make chain stitches the length or width of the rug you want to make; at the end of each row, chain 1 and reverse using the single crochet stitch. Repeat. For circular rugs, chain 5 and single crochet in the first chain stitch to form a circle. Reverse, placing 3 to 5 single crochets in the circle created; reverse and single crochet around again. Repeat.
  
  
• 5). Overlap the strips by at least 1.5 inch to change colors or to splice in a new strip, folding the raw edge under and sewing them together.
  
  
• 6). Continue crocheting until your rug is the desired size and finish the last stitch with a slip knot, leaving a 2-inch tail. Thread the tail back through the crocheted stitches, using a smaller hook, to hide the end. Your rug is now ready to enjoy. If you have used light colors and are concerned about staining, you can protect your rug with a scotch guard type spray.