How to make a rug with tassels is an easy DIY rug project that anyone can do. A simple no sewing fabric rug project that you can use inside or outdoors. This rug can be made as a small doormat rug or a larger area rug.

Learning how to make a rug with tassels is pretty easy if you are using fabric as your base. In this project, I am using a canvas dropcloth to show you the easiest way to make a rug without sewing.

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission if you purchase using the links below at no extra cost to you. All opinions are all my own.

How to Make a Rug with Tassels

With most projects, I encourage people to create a plan and then buy supplies first. For this project think about your space you plan to put your rug. My custom DIY rug is going on my porch for spring and it is acting as a layered rug.

Create a Plan for the Rug

So now that you have a room or porch selected go to my Pinterest and look for some inspiration. You are mainly looking at colors in your room and ideas on Pinterest.

For my porch, I wanted more on the bright side this year so I went with the rainbow. The interior of my home is more muted tones but I have fallen in love with rainbows lately and thought my front porch would be the perfect spot to pull that off.

Now if you are doing multiple colors on your tassels then pick out the main four colors of your room. What colors stand out to you the most? Then those are your tassel colors.

DIY Rug Supplies

Now you will need to gather all your supplies before you get started. Here is a list of the supplies you will need if you are doing a small rug like mine. If you are doing a larger rug then you will need more canvas drop cloth material and possibly more yarn. It all depends on how many tassels you plan to use.

• Canvas Dropcloth (this one linked is the best one I have found as far as durability)
• Heat n Bond (Super Weight)
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Iron and ironing board
• Pink yarn
• Yellow yarn
• Green yarn
• Blue yarn
• Small book
• Ice pick, seam ripper or something pointed and sharp
• Rug mat (only if you are planning to do a larger rug for a room)

How to Make a Tassel from Yarn

If you love knitting, hand sewing or making anything with your hands then you will love making yarn tassels. I found this activity to be most relaxing while sitting in front of the TV.

Begin by taking the end of your yarn and sitting inside the cover of the book. Next start wrapping the yarn around the book 50 times for the fullness of my tassels. If you want skinnier tassels then try 30 times.

Once you have turned the yarn around the book 50 times stop at the bottom of the book and snip the yarn.

Follow this step by cutting two pieces of the yarn. One piece is 8″ and the other piece is 24″ Put the longer piece of yarn to the side. We will come back to it shortly.

Now thread the 8″ piece of yarn between the wrapped yarn on the book and the pages of the book.

Once you have the yarn threaded squeeze the end of the wrapped yarn and then tie the yarn with three loops and pull as tight as possible.

I find it helpful to lift and tie down as I go. Once you have the first tie tight then tie once more to secure it.

Next slide the yarn off of the book and smooth it down with your hand.

Now it is time to grab the 24″ piece of yarn.

Take the 24 inch piece of yarn and make a loop on one end.

Sit the loop on the tassel towards the top with the end of the loop near the top of the tassel, so the actual loop is on the bottom and the ends are on the top of the tassel.

Now start wrapping the longest end about a quarter of an inch down from the top of the tassel. Wrap about eight times and do not let the yarn overlap each other. But make sure it’s sitting right next to the other piece you just wrapped.

Lastly, take the end of the yarn that you have been wrapping and run it through the loop that is at the bottom that you left hanging out. 

Then the shorter piece of yarn that is sticking out the top of where you just wrapped—pull that piece in the loop and it will start closing up at the bottom and it will hide the end of the yard.

Then snap the excess yarn at the top.

Can you see how this tassel is taking shape now? Next place the tassel in your hand with the end just peeking out where you thumb folds.

Take your scissors and trim the tassel on the other side of your hand.

This last part is really dependent on how long you want your tassels to be. So if you want them longer then pull the tassel out more so that it will be shorter when you cut it.

And guess what? You are all done. Yay!!!

Repeat these steps and make more tassels based off of your design plan. I have a total of eight tassels to make with two of each color. So for now make your tassels and then come back here to learn how to make a rug with fabric.

DIY Rug with Fabric

Okay, it is time to make your rug and this will go by much faster than the tassels. Another thought is that you do not have to have tassels on this rug. In fact, you can paint stripes on the drop cloth fabric rug or you can stencil a pretty design on a rug like this in my spring porch decorating ideas post.

See how many wonderful options you have to create your own rug design.

Now let's get to creating this rug and attaching the tassels. First, determine the size of your rug and add two inches to the height and width. My rug is 27″ x 39″ cut size.

Next cut a piece of dropcloth to those dimensions. One side note is that I like to bleach my drop cloth material. A great resource on how to bleach your drop cloth is Lisa's YouTube video at Farmhouse on Boone.

After you have cut your rug find which side you want to be the top. Turn that side down and grab the Super Weight heat n bond and a dry iron heated to cotton setting.

Next turn one end of your dropcloth over one inch and press it down.

Then cut a piece of the hem tape the length of the drop cloth that you just turned down and place it inside the fold.

Press the iron on one end holding it down for 3 -5 seconds.

When you finish one spot move the iron down a little and press down for another 3-5 seconds. Keep doing this until you have finished the end of the dropcloth.

Next rotate the dropcloth and repeat the steps to make a no sew hem.

Attaching Tassels to a Rug

We have a rug and we have tassels so now we need to put them together to make a tassel rug.

Start by marking where you want your tassels to go. I divided up the width by the number of tassels to determine where I wanted the tassels to sit. I then made a mark with a pencil about an 1/4″ in from the edge.

Next, grab something sharp to weave into the threads of the drop cloth to make a hole. I used an old ice pick but you can use a large yarn needle or even a seam ripper.

Basically place the end of something sharp where you want your tassels to go and wiggle it in between the fibers trying not to break any of the threads. Once you are through the fabric and you will have to penetrate the hem tape to move the sharp object around until you make a big enough hole for the tassel yarn to go through.

Next, grab your tassel and twist the end tight then thread it into the hole and pull it snug.

Once your tassel through the drop cloth rug tie it behind the drop cloth into a knot and cut the ends.

I decided to tie mine carefully but not cut the ends and tie it where I cannot remove them because I may want another look later. But it is completely up to you.

Layered Rugs

If you create a rug like mine and plan to layer your rugs then I have a whole post full of layered rug ideas that will inspire you.

Also, I found this Hello Spring mat at Joann Fabric but I have listed some other fun mats below to spark your creativity.

Conclusion

See how easy it is to create your own rug and it is a cheap rug DIY too. There are endless possibilities with these drop cloth rugs.

If you are planning to make a larger rug for your living room, dining room or bedroom buy a good quality rug mat to go under the rug. It will give it some cushion and help keep it in place.

Well, I hope you have enjoyed this DIY rug project and tassel tutorial. I would love to see some photos if you make a rug especially a larger one.

Happy Decorating!