The final product, quick and easy way to make a rug for your dollhouse

Simple Dollhouse Rug Tutorial

Not that I’m a seasoned miniaturist pro or anything, but I wanted to share this tutorial on making an a simple rug for your dollhouse. The goal was to not have to go out and buy the materials but use the stuff I already have around the house.

So here’s the supply list:

You'll need tape or some kind of adhesive You will also need some kind of thread or Yarn

Yup, just tape and pretty color twine. I’m sure duct tape, or double sided tape, and yarn can work as well. Now that’s out of the way, lets start the fun!

Step 1: Setting up your base

Setting up the adhesive backing

I set up the tape with the adhesive facing up. It was a bit tricky getting it to stick to the back and I did so by folding back a wee bit of the ends so that it can adhere to the paper as well. You want to have more tape than you need because you will be cutting the rug to size.

In a perfect world, I would have used double sided tape for this, you’ll see why.

Step 2: Adding the thread to the adhesive

Start swirling the thread!

Since this was just a simple, circular rug, I started with one end of the twine in the middle and I started swirling it around the center.

Use your finger to help anchor and guide the thread

All the while, I used my finger to hold it down as I made the circular pattern with the twine.

Here's the process so far

Above is the progress so far.

Finished with the size I want

Pictured above is the size that I want it.

Step 3: Trim the excessive tape

The rug is a bit curved after trimming away the adhesive

Here’s what it looks like after I cut out my rug outline from the tape. The shape of the rug is held together by the adhesive.

At this point you will notice that the tape is not flat. In this case, we will go to the next step.

Step 4: Backing your rug with stiffer material

Glue on some cardstock on the back of the adhesive

I only had cardstock at hand, so thats what I used. Other materials that will also work is cardboard (like from a cereal box) or even 1/16″ sheetwood will work as well. I used wood glue, but I’ve used tacky and even glue stick with success.

Here's what my cardstock looks like

You want to get the circle as close to the edge as possible. I rushed through the process for this tutorial, so mine is pretty sloppy, and not as close to the edge as I would have liked.

Step 5: Flatten it

You will need to place your rug on a flat surface (like your dining room table) and some flat heavy objects (like a few hardcovered books), and place your rug in between those items and leave it for an hour or two, depending on how long it takes for the glue you used to dry.

I didn’t take any pictures of this process, because it was pretty much a bunch of books on my dining room table, so there wasn’t much to see. But here’s the final product:

After the flattening process

Nice and flat!

Super Simple Dollhouse Rug Tutorial by AmazingMiniatures.com

There we have it, simple rugs that took me less than 10 minutes to make (not including glue drying time).

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21 Responses to Simple Dollhouse Rug Tutorial

  1. Darla September 9, 2010 at 6:37 pm #

    Thank you so much ! This is a great idea.

    • Ann September 9, 2010 at 10:05 pm #

      You’re very welcomed Darla!

  2. Tina December 30, 2011 at 1:46 pm #

    Im going to try this it looks great thankyou

    • Ann February 13, 2012 at 6:15 pm #

      You’re welcome, Tina!

  3. Carolyn April 7, 2012 at 3:09 pm #

    This is just want I wanted for my old fashioned sewing room. I have name the shadow box and needed a rug. Thanks for sharing your great idea.

    • Ann April 9, 2012 at 6:39 pm #

      No problem Carolyn!

  4. gail June 26, 2012 at 3:33 pm #

    this looks simple and effective gonna buy some wool n give it a try, thanks

  5. Pam February 18, 2014 at 6:27 pm #

    Thank u for sharing this! I just made my 1st one and grabbed a handful of yarn – ready to do more!

    • Ann May 4, 2014 at 5:45 pm #

      No problem! Glad you’re having fun!

  6. Dottie Madore April 2, 2014 at 4:21 pm #

    I have done something similar to your rug. I actually spread glue over the back and let dry before removing it from the tape. it gives it a stiff back without having to use some other material to make it stiff. Thanks so much for the ideas.

    • Ann May 4, 2014 at 5:47 pm #

      Great idea Dottie! Thanks for sharing!

  7. Lorraine July 2, 2015 at 5:16 pm #

    Thank you. It is actually the clearest and best tutorial I have seen on these and now I definitely want to make some myself! 🙂

    • Ann July 18, 2015 at 4:42 pm #

      You are very welcomed! Enjoy!

  8. Karen February 10, 2017 at 6:55 pm #

    You may not be “professional” but these rugs are so cute!! I can’t wait to try!
    Thank you for the excellent tutorial!

  9. Thijsina July 22, 2017 at 11:41 am #

    What a nice and simply idea. Thank You to help us on the road (I am Dutch and say the English words in the Dutch way)

  10. Ann May 5, 2018 at 6:43 pm #

    You are so inspiring! Thanks so much for getting me into the groove for making something chic for my old (1947) dollhouse. Any easy ideas for mini curtains? Thanks!

  11. Elaine May 20, 2018 at 6:52 pm #

    Awesome!

  12. Elaine May 25, 2018 at 8:10 pm #

    Lovely! I still don’t understand why you didn’t used double sided tape. Then you wouldn’t need glue right? Thanks

    • Ann Nguyen November 18, 2018 at 11:24 pm #

      I didn’t have any on hand at that time =)

  13. Maxine September 9, 2019 at 4:30 pm #

    Could you do this and use cork on the back to make a coaster?

  14. Bev April 11, 2021 at 1:25 am #

    Thanks for this quick idea. I have been braiding strips of material and it takes more time.

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