New carpets can be very expensive. Save some money and make a rug. We transformed a simple, inexpensive rug scrap into this beautiful area rug with upholstery paint and a few rolls of painter's tape.
Lay the rest of the rug on top of the drop cloths. Make sure it's even and square around the edges.
Start your stripe pattern on one side by measuring the width of your stripes. The painter's tape will cover some of the carpet, so remember to include it in your meter.
Firmly press the painter's tape against the carpet to help prevent upholstery spray paint from seeping under it. Use two strips for extra coverage. Then cover the rug on each side of the tape VERY well. We used another fabric and brown paper to make sure the paint spray didn't go past the intended fringe. Cover at least a minimum of six inches on both sides of the tape.
Flat and straight spray. Do not shake the can of paint over the stripe. Evenly distribute the spray paint. Don't weigh too much because it will drip off the painter's tape onto the carpet. If there appears to be a bit of a puddle on the tape, use a rag to gently rub it. Let it dry completely. A second coat may be necessary in some areas. Follow the directions on the can.
Go to the other side of the mat and continue working while the first side is drying.
After about an hour, do a moisture test, then remove the tape. Make sure the line is dry before moving anything on it.
Create random width and size stripes with the colors and ribbon. Keep moving on both sides until the mat is complete.
Let dry completely (at least 8 hours) before laminating, preferably overnight if you can.
