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Story by
mtraub
Published on August 25, 2009 in How-To |
Photo by |
College living is an extreme in decorating challenges: limited space, limited funds, and limited time. In my years of undergraduate life, I tried wall tapestries, fabric flowers, ceramic tchotchkes, vintage hat mannequins, tie dye, crocheted afghans, mason jars, and more collaging than I care to remember. In an effort to compensate for the cheap generic furniture and beer-stained carpet, I saturated my dorm rooms with a technicolor blur of clutter.
I wish I had found Theresa Gonzalez and Nicole Smith's book, Dorm Decor, back when I was still enrolled, because I was in desperate need of some creative focus. This week's How-Tuesday project is for all of those crafty co-eds settling into their drafty, fluorescent-lit dorm rooms. There is hope! This Felt Rug requires no sewing skills and seems like the perfect project for orientation bonding.
Excited to move into your new room? It could be so many things: A cozy nest. Party central! Cinderblock city. (OK, sorry, dorm living isn't always that dire.) No matter how you imagine your room, the point is, it's yours! How you decorate it and make it your perfect place for the next nine months is entirely up to you.
We like to think of a small, undecorated space as an opportunity to get creative and dream up ways to make it better. We've learned from studying interior design and working at craft and fashion magazines that going from blank box to comfy nest can happen quickly — and on a budget — when you want it to.
Photo of authors Theresa Gonzalez and Nicole Smith by Evan Sklar.
In the end, it's all about putting your own personal style on your surroundings. Think about it: Why would you buy run-of-the-mill linens from the same place you buy your soap and tampons?! It can be much more satisfying to sew something, custom-made, that no one else will have. Create (and think!) for yourself with projects that say free-thinker, not following-the-pack. Gather the girls (and crafty boys, we know you're out there) and take a creative leap — this is your chance to stand out from the cookie-cutter crowd. And come May, when it's time to pack up your things, you can take these tricks with you to next year's sanctuary.
Cut-It-Out Felt Rug
Non-fraying felt makes this project a cinch, and the zebra motif will have your hallmates demanding where you found it. It's so simple you can adjust the technique to make a rug in just about any size or style, including a welcome mat (or good-bye mat behind the door).
You'll need:
Zebra rug template (download here)
2 yards (72" wide) gray felt
2 yards (72" wide) orange felt
4 yards (72" wide) cream felt
6' x 2' piece of 2" grid pattern paper
Carbon paper and tracing wheel
Pencil
Scissors
Fabric Glue
Make the pattern.
1. Using the zebra rug template (download here), draw the zebra rug pattern onto the 2" grid pattern paper. Draw a 2" border around the edges and cut out the template around the outer edges.
Cut out the pieces.
2. Fold the gray felt in half lengthwise and lay it on the floor. Lay the template on the felt with the template's straight edge even with the fold in the fabric. Following the instructions on the carbon paper, trace the design onto the felt with the tracing wheel.
3. Remove the template and carbon paper. Pin the layers of felt together and cut out the design.
4. Repeat for the orange felt.
Assemble the rug.
5. Lay the cream felt out flat on the floor. Unfold the gray felt piece and lay it flat on top of the cream felt. Pin in place.
6. Cut the cream layer to the same size as the outer edge of the gray felt. Glue the layers together with fabric glue and let the glue dry.
7. Place the rug over the cream felt again and cut out another layer. Glue the layers together with fabric glue and let dry.
8. Flip the rug over and place the orange piece in place, matching the raw edges. Pin the layers in place and glue them together.
Looking for more crafty ways to transform your dorm room? Chronicle Books is offering a special discount to Etsy readers! Just use the code "ETSY" at checkout on their site, and you save 20% off the price as well as free shipping.
More How-Tuesday Posts | Supplies Category | DIY Made Simple Gift Guide
| Tags | animal print, back to school, bedroom, Chronicle Books, co-ed, college, craft, decor, DIY, dorm, Dorm Decor, felt, Housewares, How-To, HOW-TO, How-Tuesday, lifestyle, Nicole Smith, pattern, project, rug, Theresa Gonzalez, tutorial, undergrad, university, zebra |
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106 comments Login to add your own!
mfmapparel
reiddamnit
workingforpeanuts
Good ideas and nice picks! Now I think I've got an idea!
replicca
QuiltFinger
Very cool! I love that it's environmentally friendly. Those dead animal skins repulse me. Thanks so much for sharing the template! I've only seen the cover, so far, but Dorm Decor looks luscious!
mazedasastoat
EJPcreations
edor
ClareBears
gloilocksandbody
thebestvintage
talchen
trashbaggs
beautifulbridget
TheSeed
BabbidgePatch
LuminousDreamDesigns
yummyandcompany
Archivia
BeadinBabe
BellaVintageANDmore
4TheSparrowsNest
Love this idea!!! I really like the concept of making your own rug; how fun! Thanks for the tut ladies!
birdie1
linziloop
That's ace! I will certainly give that a go when i get the cash to buy the felt!
DeborahVoizin
starvingartistbazaar
Cute project!
Great picks. Love the t-shirt rug! Perfect for my bathroom.
breadofmany
I'm about to move to the UK where I'll have a brand new place to decorate... my brain is running wild with ideas from this! thanks so much!!
lovelygifts
SimpleTraditions
FluteTeacher
WhiteFlagDesigns
artwithallie
That's what I like to see...people thinking!! Not only are they conjuring up all the weird and wonderful ideas and images but they are also sharing. You go girls!!
Am loving the zebra head on the wall.
1AEON
JustAnotherDay
that rug is sooo cute! It would be really great in a baby's room also!
beachhouseblues
belovedbaglady
Very cool rug! I love animal prints. I bet it would look fab done in vintage prints as well. VINTAGE
thecluelesscrafter
Felt is some amazing stuff. The exhibit "Fashioning Felt" at the Cooper-Hewitt in NYC earlier this summer showed just how versatile this stuff is.
Here's the museum's website to inspire:
http://www.cooperhewitt.org/exhibitio...
belovedbaglady
I just bought that amazing zebra head wall decal. So cool!
TheCottageCheese
This rug is so playful! My husband could even get into this craft project.
heatherfuture
Neat! That looks like a fantastic book... Actually, I think I'm going to buy a couple right now as perfect little gifties. Yay!
Morado
What a fun rug!!! Love going to make one in purple...hehe
http://twitter.com/MoradoShop
http://www.facebook.com/MoradoShop
littletank
dancerstar12
breadandroses
Fun rug project! Unusual pillow covers made from eco friendly vintage fabrics is a quick & easy way to bring your style to a generic dorm room. I have a few w/ more on the way this week.
vivikas
SurrenderDorothy
FrozenEngel
TheChameleonsAttic
EarthGirlKnits
I LOVE that t-shirt rug! I have something like it on the floor in my room and it's wonderful. Now to go find out how to make one... :)
EarthGirlKnits
I LOVE that t-shirt rug! I have something like it on the floor in my room and it's wonderful. Now to go find out how to make one... :)
RetroLane
santosleather
MyMoms
shopgoodgrace
This is great!! Thank you for sharing this fabulous tutorial with us. (and great picks here, too!)
ravenwren
So cute and so much more friendly than the cow hide I've been eyeing.
infraredstudio
sage12888
PipocaHandmade
spacejam
stuffbykate
plasticpumpkin
It's cute, funny, and funky. My cats would love it too much, I think.
jezek
evihan
patkas
tinyspace
SpacejamOrigami
Navare
What an interesting idea! My dorm room reminded me mostly of a prison cell, so this might have made things a little better...
difart
VixVintage
amysfunkyfibers
Thanks for the directions. Sure beats the fake polar bear rug my roommate had 25 years ago!
folkheirloomsbypaige
bbbennyandthejet
Ahhhh!!! I love that t-shirt rug in grey too! even for those of us that have *ahem* passed by our dorm-room days, this is a great project for fall! Cold floors and feet will soon be upon us :)
OnTheRound
lilyandlou
MeowBarkArt
SouthwestFlower
I love that flower bird illustration! Thanks for these unique finds!
RegalCottage
girltuesdayjewelry
ButtensBoutique
MeghanT
Cool - great idea to personalize a dorm room. I thought that this project was going to be challenging, but after reading through the instructions it's actually very do-able. What a great way to put your signature stamp on your new room! I kind of want one for our living room.
Thanks for sharing guys!
sleepyking
awesome! love that rug.. now i wish someone sold them so I dont have to make one ;)
CutieDynamite
paramountvintage
JessicaPoundstone
fawa
Artulia
smurfette
What a cute idea! Wish I had something like this during those dorm years.
TeacupAdventure
I'm an RA and I might have to send this to some of my residents!
missbatch
This is a great idea-- the whole book is full of good stuff-- thanks for sharing!
laurenmdavisart
recycledwares
FatBatShop
This was a great idea. I think it would be so cute in a child's toy room :)
Iammie
SimplySage
My 4 year-old just spotted this rug and has decided we should make one for her room=)
I'm sure it will end up pink and green! What a fun family project. Thanks!
hudsonhawke
geewizjewelry
what a great invention! I think i want to make a cheetah one. The article was really cool as well!
PinkPerch
LoveMeKnotCreations
thank you, this seems to be fitting in the bar-area of our house ;)
ColourHarmonics
vanegyadri
galstudio
RiverBird
purpleandlime
phinson
Angelsbythesea1127
Just love this fun rug. Very nice design and seems easy enough.
jessgonacha
Aaaaagh! This is so totally cute I can hardly stand it. I want to make one!
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