DIY tribal wall rug

After exploring the unconventional trend of  using rugs as wall art in my previous post, I am today sharing how you can make your very own tribal patterned rug!

Wether you'd like to make one for an awkward floor space, where regular rugs don't quite fit, or you'd like to make one to fill a big blank space on your wall, this is an easy and cheap way to get in on the trend!

In fact it is so easy that I've made two this week: One for my living room wall and one for the landing at the top of our stairs!

And apart from being able to visualize and create a pattern you love, there is not really any skills required!

You will need:

calico canvas/ heavy cotton material

Scissors

Iron

Sewing machine and thread

Pencil and eraser

Marker Pen (You may need more than one!!)

Ruler(Or something else long and straight) and tape measure

Anti slip mat and Spray adhesive to make a floor rug (+fabric protector)

or

Heavy duty sticky velcro to make a wall hanging

I used the same technique making both, here's how:

Cut the Canvas to the size you want, adding a couple of centimeters to the measurements either side.

Then fold and iron the edges of the fabric...

I found that the best way to insure that the canvas was straight, was to iron a fold along one side , then, measuring the width as I went when Ironing the fold on the opposite side.

Stitch the edges on a sewing machine....if you haven't got one . you can always use some hemming web to iron into the folds (just an afterthought on my behalf!! LOL)

Next up, it's time to get creative with the pattern!

Use my pinterest boards RUGS and TEXTURE FOR WALLS for inspiration.

Use a pencil to sketch up your pattern onto the canvas.

I found it helpful to draw up a grid first, marking out the center lines both lengthwise and width-wise.

Then I used my ruler and tape measure to ensure the pattern would be (at least semi-) symmetrical!

Start at the ends of the canvas and work your way towards the middle, drawing up zig-zags, dots, lines....any sort of pattern that appeals to you! 

 For that tribal look, keep it geometrical!

When you are happy with your pattern, put something underneath to protect your surfaces, then using a marker pen (You may need more that one...cheap ones will do fine!) and trace over your pattern ,filling in any larger areas as you go! 

If you'd like a really neat finish, use a ruler to make your lines straight.... I didn't as I think the small imperfections of a slightly wobbly line here and there adds to the "tribal" look!!

When you have traced over your entire pattern with marker pen(s) use a rubber to gently erase any pencil marks, the hoover up the rubber crumbs!!

If you'd like to hang your finished "canvas-rug" on the wall, get some heavy duty sticky velcro, then simply stitch it onto the top of your canvas, either by hand or with a sewing machine:

Then simply stick it onto your wall!

I love how mine turned out! It fills that big space over my bookshelves in my living room beautifully!

Turning your canvas into a floor rug:

This is so easy: Just get some anti slip rug underlay, and cut it to size:

Turn your canvas, so the back is facing up.

Then use some spray adhesive (heavy duty carpet ones are great) and apply to the Anti slip only!

Leave for a couple of minutes before positioning it onto the canvas.

Turn the canvas rug around again, and use your hands to smooth out any creases and ensure good adhesion between the canvas and the anti slip!

I would recommend that you protect the canvas with some fabric protection spray if using it as a floor rug...but you can always just peel the anti slip off and chuck the canvas in the washing machine should it get too dirty...it should hold up fine although you may find that the marker pen will fade slightly (and the canvas could shrink a little), but you can always re-trace the pattern again...

Then just iron and re-apply the anti slip!

I think half the beauty of these are the imperfections and the variations in the coverage of the marker pen! Maybe you disagree? (In which case you could always invest in some proper fabric paint for a more even finish!)

And I love how I've finally got a rug that fits that awkward space at the top of our stairs perfectly!

No more stumbling in small rugs!!

And the Anti slip makes it lay beautifully and feel soft under foot!!

It took me 1 day to make the two of them, and cost me less than £30 for both....and I still have lots of canvas and spray adhesive/fabric protector left for future projects!

Of course you can use this technique to create any sort of pattern you'd like, and you can always use other colors as well....whatever suits you! In fact, if you don't fancy drawing up your own patter you could just buy some heavy upholstery patterned fabric (like this ikat print) to make your own rug by simply adding an anti slip mat!

What do you think??

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