Turn your old jeans into a durable, rustic-chic rug you’ll love walking on—barefoot style!
If you’ve been hanging onto a stack of worn-out jeans, this is your sign to transform them into something seriously useful and stylish. A Braided Denim Rug adds texture, warmth, and a touch of handcrafted charm to any space—from entryways to cozy reading nooks. And bonus: it’s tougher than most rugs you’ll buy off the shelf!
🧵 What You’ll Need:
- 5–8 pairs of old jeans (more for a larger rug)
- Fabric scissors or rotary cutter
- Measuring tape
- Safety pins or sewing clips
- Heavy-duty thread and needle (or sewing machine, optional)
- Hot glue gun (optional for extra stability)
- Rug gripper mat or non-slip backing (optional but helpful)
- Time and a good podcast—you’ll be braiding for a bit!
✂️ Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Cut Your Denim Into Strips
- Start by cutting your jeans into long strips, about 1.5″ to 2″ wide. Go with the grain of the fabric for strength.
- Remove seams and pockets; save them for another craft (like your pocket organizer!).
- The longer your strips, the fewer times you’ll need to join them.
2. Join the Strips
- Connect strips by overlapping the ends and sewing a small zigzag stitch or using a secure glue bond. You can also cut small slits in each end, loop one through the other, and pull tight (like a slipknot).
3. Make Your Braids
- Divide your strips into three bundles and start braiding.
- Braid as tightly as you can without curling the braid. You can clip the ends to a heavy object or pin it to a cushion to keep it steady as you go.
- Add more strips to the braid as needed—just keep the ends joined securely and braid on!
4. Shape the Rug
- Once you have a long, continuous braid (this takes some time, but it’s therapeutic!), start coiling it into your desired rug shape. Most people go with a circle or oval.
- As you coil, stitch the braid together by hand using a sturdy needle and thread. Go through the edges of the braids, not the middle, to keep the rug flat.
Optional: Use hot glue in between braids while stitching for added hold.
5. Finish the Ends
- Once your rug is the size you want, neatly tuck the tail of the braid underneath the rug and stitch it in place.
- If you want a super clean finish, you can wrap the end in a piece of denim and sew it shut before hiding it.
6. Add a Non-Slip Backing
- To keep your denim rug from sliding around, use rug gripper pads or hot glue lines across the back to create grip.
🎉 Final Thoughts:
This Braided Denim Rug might just become your favorite conversation piece. It’s sturdy, eco-friendly, and loaded with character from your own lived-in jeans. Plus, it costs zero dollars if you’re using what you already have. Whether you make a tiny mat or a full-sized rug, the cozy, textured result is totally worth the effort—and it looks amazing in farmhouse, boho, or eclectic spaces.
Click here: 25+ Clever ways to give old jeans a second life!
Leave a Reply