How to Make a T-Shirt Rug: A Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial

If you’ve been staring at a pile of old t-shirts wondering what to do with them, this tutorial is exactly what you’ve been waiting for. Making a t-shirt rug is one of the most satisfying DIY projects you can take on — it’s budget-friendly, eco-conscious, and results in a beautiful, durable piece that you’ll actually use every day. Whether you want a cozy bathroom mat, a colorful entryway rug, or a soft play mat for kids, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know from start to finish.

Let’s dive in.

Why Make a T-Shirt Rug?

Before we get into the how, it’s worth understanding why so many crafters have fallen in love with this project.

First, it’s an incredible way to upcycle fabric that would otherwise end up in a landfill. The average American throws away around 81 pounds of clothing per year, and much of that ends up in waste facilities rather than being repurposed. T-shirt rugs give worn-out, stained, or outgrown shirts a meaningful second life.

Second, they’re surprisingly durable. T-shirt cotton is thick, soft, and tightly woven, which means a finished rug made from it holds up well to foot traffic, washing, and general wear and tear. Many people who make their first t-shirt rug are amazed by how professional and sturdy the end result looks and feels.

Third, this is a project that scales beautifully with your skill level. A beginner can braid three strips together and sew them into a coiled oval rug in a single afternoon. An experienced crafter can try weaving, knotting, or loom techniques to create something truly intricate. No matter where you are on the crafting spectrum, there’s a version of this project for you.

What You’ll Need

Gathering your materials before you start is the key to a smooth crafting experience. Here’s a breakdown of everything you’ll need.

T-shirts: Plan on using between 10 and 20 adult-sized t-shirts for a small to medium rug (approximately 18 to 24 inches in diameter). The exact number depends on the thickness of the fabric and how tightly you work. Thicker cotton gives you wider, chunkier strips, while thinner jersey fabric will require more shirts to achieve the same size.

Scissors: A sharp pair of fabric scissors is essential. Don’t try to cut through layers of t-shirt material with dull scissors — you’ll end up with uneven strips and frustrated hands. If you have a rotary cutter and cutting mat, even better.

Measuring tape or ruler: For cutting strips to a consistent width, typically between one and two inches.

Sewing needle and thread, or a sewing machine: You’ll need this to join strips together and to sew the finished rug so it holds its shape. A heavy-duty needle works best for this kind of thick fabric.

Safety pins or clips: These help hold your braid or weave in place as you work.

Non-slip rug pad or fabric glue (optional): If you want your finished rug to stay put on a hard floor, a thin non-slip pad cut to size works beautifully underneath it.

Choosing Your T-Shirts

Color and fabric choice make a huge difference in the final look of your rug. Before you start cutting, take a few minutes to think about the design you want to achieve.

If you’re going for a bohemian, eclectic look, grab a rainbow of different colors without worrying about coordination. The more varied, the better. This style works especially well for children’s rooms or colorful living spaces.

If you prefer something more polished, choose a limited palette. Three to five complementary colors create a rug that looks intentional and stylish. For example, shades of blue and white give a nautical, beachy feel, while earthy tones like rust, cream, and olive create a natural, organic look.

As for fabric, 100% cotton t-shirts work best. They’re soft, stretchy in just the right way, and don’t fray the way woven fabric does when cut into strips. Avoid shirts with a lot of polyester if you can — they’re slippery and don’t braid as neatly. If you don’t have enough old shirts at home, thrift stores are an absolutely fantastic source. You can often find large bags of t-shirts for just a few dollars.

How to Cut T-Shirt Strips

This is the foundation of the entire project, so take your time here.

Lay your t-shirt flat on a table or cutting mat. Smooth out any wrinkles. Cut across the shirt horizontally, starting just below the armhole seam. You’ll be cutting through both layers of fabric at once. Cut strips that are about one to one-and-a-half inches wide, working your way down toward the hem. Stop before you reach the hem and discard it, or save it for a different project.

When you lift each loop off the table, you’ll notice it naturally curls inward into a tube shape, which is exactly what you want. This self-curling behavior is what gives t-shirt strips their rounded, rope-like quality, making them perfect for braiding and coiling.

To create long, continuous strips rather than individual loops, use the following technique: take one loop and cut diagonally from one side to the other, connecting the loops into one long strand. Alternatively, you can simply knot or sew loops together end to end. Some crafters prefer the knotted method because it’s faster; others prefer sewing because the join is more discreet.

Stretch each strip gently after cutting. This activates the natural curl in the fabric and helps the strips behave more uniformly when you braid or coil them.

Method One: The Braided T-Shirt Rug

This is the classic, most beginner-friendly technique, and it produces a beautiful, rustic rug with visible texture and definition.

Step 1: Prepare your strips. Gather three long strips of t-shirt fabric. These can all be the same color or three different colors, depending on the look you want. Knot or pin the three strips together at one end. Secure that end to something stable — a chair leg, a doorknob, or a heavy book will all work.

Step 2: Braid. Work a basic three-strand braid, keeping your tension even and consistent throughout. Pull each strand snugly as you go. If your braid is loose and floppy in some sections and tight in others, the finished rug will look uneven. Take your time and check the tension every few inches.

Step 3: Continue until you have enough. For a small oval rug, you’ll need a braid that’s roughly eight to ten feet long, depending on how tightly you coil it. For a larger rug, keep going. You can always add new strips as you run out — just knot the new strip to the end of the old one and keep braiding, tucking the knot to the inside of the braid where it won’t be visible.

Step 4: Coil and sew. This is where your rug takes shape. Start by coiling the braid tightly, beginning at the center. Use a needle and thread — or a sewing machine if you’re comfortable — to stitch adjacent rows of braid together. Work the stitches through the outer edge of each coil, catching the neighboring coil securely. A whipstitch or ladder stitch works well here. Keep the rug flat as you sew; if it starts to curl upward, you’re pulling the thread too tightly.

Step 5: Finish the edges. When you’ve used up all your braid, tuck the end neatly under the outermost row and stitch it flat. If you want a completely clean edge, fold the last few inches of the braid under itself and secure with a few extra stitches.

Your braided rug is done. Lay it flat and give it a gentle press with your hands to make sure it lies flat. If it’s still a little uneven, a light spritz of water and a few minutes under a heavy book overnight will help it settle.

Method Two: The Woven T-Shirt Rug

If you’re looking for a flatter, more structured rug with a woven textile look, this method is worth the extra effort.

For this technique, you’ll either need a simple wooden frame loom (which you can buy inexpensively or build yourself from a picture frame and nails) or a simple cardboard loom for smaller rugs.

Warp your loom. The “warp” is the set of vertical threads that form the backbone of your weaving. Use a sturdy, continuous piece of t-shirt fabric or cotton twine to string your loom from top to bottom, keeping the tension even. Space the warp threads about half an inch apart.

Weave your weft. The “weft” is the horizontal material you weave over and under the warp threads. Use your t-shirt strips here, alternating the over-under pattern with each new row. Push each row snugly against the previous one with a comb or your fingers. This compacts the fabric and makes the rug denser and more durable.

Change colors intentionally. Since you can see exactly where each row of color begins and ends, the woven technique lets you create stripes, color blocks, or even simple geometric patterns very easily. Plan your color sequence before you begin for the most satisfying results.

Finish the edges. When you’ve filled the loom, carefully remove the finished fabric and tie off the warp ends in pairs to prevent unraveling. You can knot them into fringe or tuck them under and sew them flat for a cleaner look.

Method Three: The Knotted T-Shirt Rug

This method requires no sewing at all, making it ideal for crafters who don’t have a sewing machine or prefer to keep things even more minimal.

Start with a piece of burlap, canvas, or any open-weave fabric as your base. Cut your t-shirt strips into shorter pieces, roughly six to eight inches long. Fold each piece in half, push the folded end through one of the holes in the base fabric from underneath, then pull the two loose ends through the loop you’ve created. Tighten the knot firmly.

Repeat this process, working in rows across the entire base until every section is covered with knotted strips. The result is a thick, shaggy rug that looks almost like a flokati or a looped pile carpet. It’s incredibly soft underfoot and extraordinarily simple to customize — mix colors randomly for a confetti effect, or arrange them deliberately for stripes or polka dots.

Tips for the Best Results

A few practical notes that will save you time and frustration:

Wash your t-shirts before you start. This pre-shrinks the fabric and removes any residue that might affect how the strips handle.

Keep your strips roughly the same width throughout a single rug. Inconsistent strip widths are the number one cause of uneven, lumpy rugs. Take a few extra minutes to cut carefully and you’ll thank yourself later.

Don’t rush the sewing. This is especially true for the braided coil method. A few loose stitches can cause the rug to fall apart after a few uses. Go slowly, and use strong thread.

Use a thimble when hand-sewing through multiple layers of t-shirt fabric. It’s much thicker than it looks, and pushing a needle through several layers repeatedly will hurt your finger quickly without protection.

Make your rug machine washable from the start by choosing colorfast t-shirts and using cotton thread for your sewing. When it’s time to wash the finished rug, use cold water and a gentle cycle, then lay it flat to dry.

Creative Ideas and Variations

Once you’ve made your first t-shirt rug, it’s hard to stop. Here are a few ideas to inspire your next project.

Try a color gradient. Sort your shirts from light to dark shades of a single color and braid or weave them in sequence. The result is a stunning ombre effect that looks far more sophisticated than its simple construction suggests.

Make a runner. Instead of coiling your braid into an oval, stitch it into a long rectangular shape. A t-shirt runner is perfect for hallways, beside a bed, or in front of a kitchen sink.

Create a matching set. Make a large bathroom mat and a smaller one for beside the toilet, using the same color palette of old bath towels cut into strips alongside your t-shirt fabric. Towel fabric adds extra absorbency.

Add a border. Use a contrasting color for the outermost two or three rows of your coiled rug to create a defined border that frames the piece and gives it a finished, intentional look.

Go abstract. With the woven method, you can actually sketch a simple geometric design on paper and translate it directly into your color choices as you weave. Chevrons, diamonds, and simple tribal patterns are all achievable even for beginner weavers.

Caring for Your Finished Rug

A well-made t-shirt rug is surprisingly easy to maintain. For regular cleaning, simply shake it out outdoors or vacuum it on a low setting. For deeper cleaning, machine wash on a cold, gentle cycle with mild detergent. Avoid the dryer if possible — the heat can cause the fabric to shrink unevenly and distort the shape of the rug. Lay it flat on a clean surface and allow it to air dry completely before placing it back on the floor.

If your rug starts to lose its shape over time, a gentle hand-wash in cold water followed by blocking it flat (the same technique knitters use) will usually restore it beautifully.

Final Thoughts

Making a t-shirt rug is the kind of craft project that sneaks up on you. You start with a pile of old shirts you were about to donate, spend a relaxing afternoon cutting and braiding, and end up with something genuinely beautiful and useful that you made entirely yourself. It’s the perfect blend of practicality and creativity.

Whether you choose to braid, weave, or knot, the basic principles are the same: prepare your fabric carefully, work with consistent tension, and take your time with the finishing details. The more care you put in, the more you’ll love the result.

So dig out those old t-shirts, grab your scissors, and get started. Your floors will thank you.