How to Make a Recycled T-Shirt Rug

Don't throw away those old T-shirts — they can easily be turned into a one-of-a-kind doormat to decorate the inside of your dorm room.

 You know that overflowing drawer of T-shirts? Turn them into something functional, like this recycled shirt rug.

Materials Needed:

• flat doormat
• 5-8 old T-shirts

• scissors
• hot glue gun and hot glue

Cut T-Shirt Strips

Starting at the bottom hem, cut T-shirts across into 2-inch strips (Image 2). Then cut the 2-inch strips into 4-5-inch long sections (Images 3, 4).

 

Tie T-Shirt Knots

Tie a knot into the center of each T-shirt section. Note: Prepare all the knotted pieces before you start gluing.

 

Add First Row of Knots to Rug

Place a strip of hot glue along one side of the doormat (Image 1). Stick each knot into the glue (Image 2). Continue the strip of glue and add more knotted pieces (Image 3). Glue the knots with 1/4 inch between them (Images 4, 5). Tip: If you're using a variety of colored T-shirts, glue the colors in a random pattern. It'll create a nice multicolored effect on the doormat.

Continue Gluing Knots to Mat

Keep gluing T-shirt sections in one straight line along an edge of the mat (Image 1). Continue to glue knotted T-shirt sections all the way up the edge of the mat. Move onto the next row. Place a strip of hot glue 1 inch from the previous row. Stick the knots into the glue strip, leaving 1/2 inch between each knot (Image 2). Continue to add glue and knotted sections until the full doormat is covered (Image 3).

You're Finished!

Use your personalized doormat to wipe off your shoes when you walk in from class.