Would you like to make some extra money with a relatively unknown, inexpensive, fun project? Consider making some Carpet Art!
What is Carpet Art?
Simply, Carpet Art is the art of making beautiful designs out of carpet scraps that can be either put on the floor or hung as tapestries.
I started by making unique, personalized floor mats for my family and friends, but there became such a demand for my Carpet Art that I was soon approached to make Carpet Art for money.
For example, my brother’s hobby is racing pigeons. Where the pigeons are housed is called a loft, and he named his Legend Loft.
So, for a gift, I made a tapestry for his den wall that shows an image of a racing pigeon, wings outstretched, with Legend Loft emblazoned in a banner just above the bird.
He was thrilled!
Three other pigeon fanciers ordered one for their walls, and I made an easy $300.
Okay… so how is it done.
Using scraps of carpet, you make a design in a larger piece of carpet by hot gluing pieces of scrap carpet into a larger carpet. That’s it! Simple, but oh…so effective!
You will need the following:
A piece of carpet, color and size of your choice, with finished edge (more on this later). A selection of carpet scraps and pieces, color as desired (more on this later).
A hot glue gun and lots of clear hot glue.
Carpet scissors, known as duck-billed scissors (desired, but not necessary).
Knife with interchangeable razor type blades. Lots of spare blades.
Pattern (more on this later)
Large (4X8 or so) work area. A sheet of plywood on a table works well.
Push pins
Vacuum cleaner
If you can’t find a piece of carpet the size and color that you wish, that has edging sewed on, go to your local carpet store and ask where they get their carpet edging done. If you can get a name and phone number, this person usually will have some large pieces, in the color that you want, that he will cut to size and finish by sewing on a matching edge tape, at a very reasonable price.
To find scraps, ask the edge-finishing person first. Then ask the carpet stores if they have scraps. Ask if you can rummage through their garbage bin. Look for the pieces wrapped in plastic, because they are new scraps, which is what you want, instead of the old carpet that was ripped up. Find the colors that you want to make your design. I don’t get concerned about the nap of the carpet, although a higher or lower nap than the main carpet makes the inserted design stand out.
You will need a pattern. This can be a name or initials, company logo, design copied from wallpaper, etc. Assuming you have a computer, use a scanner to digitalize your design, then use Photoshop to make it whatever size you want. I will assume you are familiar with a scanner and Photoshop, if not, you will have to buy a scanner (they’re cheap) and google Photoshop to get tutorials on how to resize an image. If it is over 8.5 X 11, use the crop tool to divide the image into a size that will fit on your paper, print, and then scotch-tape them together.
A tip: to make large text letters, go to file/new and select the canvas size of the finished letter. Then, using the text tool, select the letter size by highlighting the default size and typing in the new size. A lot of folks don’t know that you can make letter sizes 200, 300 etc. Then crop, print and scotch-tape to make the letters whatever size you wish. Cut out the pattern.
Turn the carpet on the table so it is nap side down. Using push-pins, align the pattern on the carpet REVERSING THE PATTERN so it will be correct when the carpet is nap up. Using the razor blade knife, and/or carpet scissors, cut out the carpet. Keep the pattern pieces.
Using the pattern pieces, cut out using the scraps, nap side down. Make sure the pattern is reversed, as before.
Tuck the scrap pattern pieces into the carpet holes. Hot glue them into place. Flip the carpet over, and, using the vacuum, pick up any bits of carpet and fluff the insert into place. Now step back and admire your work.
A bit of imagination and you can create absolutely gorgeous works of art.
Then sell them.
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