Wednesday 7 December 2016

Denim Jeans Floor Rug

... that didn't work out as intended

Keeping it real here at Threading My Way, and showing you a project that, whilst it may look good, is not one I'm happy with, nor one I'll use for it's intended purpose.


It wasn't till right near the end that the problem emerged, hence I took photos along the way, fully intending to write a tutorial.


Denim frays easily and it's rather strong. The combination of these two factors combined to make the rug a tripping hazard - not exactly a suitable outcome.


I tried cutting off all the frayed bits, but it will keep fraying for some time to come. I know you can't see it in the photos, but trust me, they're there and it would be so easy to get a toe or two caught in them, a child's small shoed foot, or even a slipper. Some of the frayed parts are quite long.

Apart from the fraying, everything else worked exactly as I'd imagined in my head.

Next time, I make one, and there will be a next time, I'll zig zag the edges securely. I suppose I could still do that now, but it's already backed, and I don't have the enthusiasm to undo it.

I still have two large bags full of pre-loved jeans, so it's not as if I don't have enough materials to make another. 


Little Miss thought it was most suitable to throw on the floor and lie on, whilst she read a book. Maybe I'll keep it for this purpose. We'll see. I still think it could be a tripping hazard when used for anything on the floor.

I'm not sure what else I could use it for. Do you have any suggestions?

... Pam




20 comments:

  1. I think it could just be used as a throw blanket ... or the other thing I thought of, was to cut it up (not sure of the size?) for pillow covers? Or ... oh I know ... how about a big floor pillow?

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    2. A big floor pillow sounds perfect!

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    3. A big cushion or pillow seems to be the favourite option.

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  2. I think it would make a wonderful throw! 'Very cute! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  3. It would make a great floor pillow Pam.

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  4. Sorry to hear it didn't work out as planned but glad to hear it happens to others too! :D

    What did you use to back it? We only have one carpet, or rug more likely (woven by my husband's grandfather!) in the living room. There used to be a carpet in the hallway, in the kids' room and bigger carpet in the living room but combination of two toddlers, one dog and two cats was too much for carpets that are very hard to wash! The rug can be washed with water and soap, very useful feature! But now the kids are a bit older and I would like to have couple more carpets and I have been thinking about making at least one for their own room, one with nice colours, probably with bright colours, some pictures etc so it could be used as a play mat but I haven't yet found out how to back it so that it would stay put...

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    1. I've just used a thick cotton for the backing. As it was intended to be a rug on carpet, that would have been OK. On hard surfaces it wouldn't work, as the rug would slip. I'm not sure what you could use to keep rugs in place.

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  5. I think it looks great, how about a throw. I have a patchwork denim quilt on my bed which I love. I backed that with cotton and put in a layer of wadding. I did sew a seam with each patchwork square so no fraying.

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    1. Love the idea of a throw, Claire. I'd have to add a little more denim first, though. One day I'm going to make a denim quilt.

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  6. maybe I missed this part but how did you sew your denim strips together .. looks great the way you did it. my sewing machine has difficulty sewing through too thick layers.

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    1. Thanks, Helen. Instead of a normal seam, I lay each piece over the next, hence the fraying. Yes, not all machines will be able to sew through multiple layers of denim.

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  7. You could turn it into something else - a cool denim patch beach bag. Just cut the pattern straight out of your rug.

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  8. Next time serge your pieces together and back it with that non slip mesh stuff. This will solve both problems

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  9. Blackout curtain or wall covering? Reminds me of the 70's diy decor. Macrame embellishments and incense burners. I think the concept is good, maybe next time rag rug strips?

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    1. Memories of the 70s, Karen... I had macrame hanging baskets everywhere. Yes, I'm happy with the look - just have to perfect the technique. A rag rug in definitely on my 'To Do' list.

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  10. Nice. You could use it as a cushion cover.

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    1. Thanks. A cushion seems to be the consensus of opinion and it'd be large enough, too.

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