Fringed Bath Mat: A Fun and Functional Project

fringed bath mat

I think there must be a giant invisible poodle living in my house.  It is disguised as a teenage girl and she is tiny, with small hands and feet not even 75 pounds and yet, but when she comes out of the bathroom there is a Dracula cloud that follows her.  When the steam disperses, it reveals an unimaginable mess left behind.  I wonder “in horror” how the ceiling, all the walls, toilet paper and every square inch of the bathroom floor could possible get wet?  There's got to be a giant poodle somewhere, just shaking water absolutely everywhere which is my only explanation.

fringed bath mat

The thing that really gets me though, is the wet floor.  Not only can it be dangerous, but who enjoys walking around with wet socks?  No store-bought bath mat is big enough for this mess, so I have decided to make my own.  It is large and easy to dry, but attractive to change what otherwise is a boring looking bathroom.  I live in a rented apartment, so there is not much I can do to change the color of the tiles, but I think this fringed bath mat will make me happy to not have to hide the bathroom when guests come over.  It will also help keep the floor dry and safe for all.

fringed bath mat

This bath mat uses canvas fabric for strength, non-slip and easy drying along with cotton cord threaded through the mat for extra strength and texture.  The mat has an attractive shaggy fringe.  It was a lot of fun to make and is really functional and attractive.  There's also a fair bit of sewing to do, so it is good practice for the beginners.

fringed bath mat

Materials

Step One: Cutting and stacking the fabric

Cut your printed canvas in 2 rectangles of 40″ X 50″.

Cut the plain canvas in 1 rectangle of  40″ X 50″.

fringed bath mat

You want to stack the fabric rectangles with print sides facing out and the plain canvas sandwiched in between.

Step Two: Stitching the rows

Sew stitching lines across the narrower part of the rectangle every 1/2″.  At the end, I had 100 rows.  This can take some time but is fantastic practice for you to get very comfortable with your sewing machine.

fringed bath mat

Step Three:  Feeding the cord

This part is tricky because you will have to find the best way to feed the cord through all these rows, 50 in total.  I'm using a darning needle and have wrapped fairly thick thread to the end of the rope and sewn a couple of stitches with a cross stitch needle.  Now I will start passing the cord through the rows.

fringed bath mat

fringed bath mat

fringed bath mat

Feed the cord every other row.  In total 50 rows.  Stay between the same layer of printed and plain canvas.  This will give the mat two distinctive sides.  One with higher ridges from the cord and one with slightly lower.

Leave about one inch sticking out the side on each run to secure the cord.  You can also decide if you want to leave the cord loops showing for decoration purposes.  If you don't, there's no need to keep the cord as one long piece which can be difficult to manage and feed all the way through the mat on each turn.  You can just go a couple of turns and start with a new section of cord.

I'm sure some readers will come up with easier ways to do this, so please share your ideas in the comments below.

fringed bath mat

After you have fed the cord in all 50 rows sew around the mat at 1/4″ from the edge.  This to join all the edges and secure very firmly the cords.

fringed bath mat

If you don't want the cords as decoration (I didn't), cut off the ends that stick out of the mat.

fringed bath mat

Step Four: Making the fringe

I am using my 6″ quilting ruler to create this fringe.  Take the strand of wool and tape it to the corner of the ruler. 

fringed bath mat

Wrap the wool around the ruler no bigger than 6 inches at a time.  It gets messy and difficult to handle if you wrap the wool any wider.

fringed bath mat

Cut the strand of wool and place the sticky tape in the middle across the width of the wrapped wool to hold the strands in place.  Do this to both sides of the ruler.

fringed bath mat

Cut the top of the strands of wool with a small scissors.

fringed bath mat

Cut the bottom.  This is how it looks at this point.

fringed bath mat

Peel off the sticky tape at the bottom.  Gravity and the tape will keep the strands of wool in one line.  It doesn't have to be perfect since the fringed edge is meant to look shaggy but do the best you can.

fringed bath mat

Turn your ruler and do the same on the other side.

Step Five: Stitching the fringe

Take all the strands of wool and gently position them at the top edge of the mat.

fringed bath mat

Being careful to leave about 2.5″ hanging from the edge.

fringed bath mat



Using a small zigzag stitch, stitch the strands of wool to the edge of the mat. fringed bath matOne skein of yarn should be big enough to do the top and the bottom of the mat.  fringed bath matIf you want to go around the whole mat you will need another 2 skeins of wool of 197 yards each.



Step Six: Optional, applying glue for non-slip

Finally, while the canvas and cord make the mat somewhat anti-slip already if you have young kids and want to make the mat even more slip-resistant, use the low-temperature glue gun to run some lines or dots of glue on the ridges on the bottom of the mat where the cord is stitched.  A dot every inch or two should do the trick.  Of course, let the glue dry before you put the mat on the floor.  We're not trying to glue it to the floor or anything but just add some tacky contact points that will keep the mat from sliding.

My floors are made of marble and the mat doesn't slip much.  I have tested the mat on the wooden floors and it slips a little more, so this would be a good additional step to do although certainly not mandatory.  There would be no issues on a carpet and the mat hangs easily to dry after the storm passes…

One of the things that I really enjoy about this mat is the therapeutic massage the cord gives my feet.  It is a great feeling while brushing my teeth or just after a hot shower.  But the most important bit is that it catches all the water that drips from the invisible giant poodle that lives in my house.

P.S.  I have also tested it on my real dog George and he approves!

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Fringed Bath Mat


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Debbie Tucker
Debbie Tucker

I must say George does look like he approves of the mat my Maggie would also have to approve it since its her favorite place to lay when Im using the bathroom or taking a shower .I receive the dirtest looks when I use it. She really thinks its hers.lol I do love your mat but it seems like it would be an expensive mat.

nancy
nancy

Can I use a canvas drop cloth?

So Sew Easy
Admin
Active Member
Reply to  nancy

Hi Nancy, yes, I think that would probably work just fine. Let me know how you go.

Alice
Alice

What a great idea and george is a sweetie.

mary m young
mary m young

I would definitely use a denim needle to handle the canvas type material.

Donna Viar
Donna Viar

Did you wash the fabric before starting the project? Have you put it through the washer and how did it do?

Debbie G
Debbie G

Could you use cotton or wool batting and quilt the sandwiches instead of the cord? I’m thinking the cording lumps would be hard to step on? Maybe it softens with use?
But thank you for the pattern. I have an odd shaped area in front of the tub and have toyed with the idea of making my own mat, and you have inspired me!

Debbie G
Debbie G
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Hi Mayra!
Whooot whoot! Success! I’ll try to share a pic. I used a home dec cotton fabric on the outside, a piece of duck cotton and cotton batting. The other change is that I serged the seams, flipped outside out, and top stitched closed and all around. Then did a whimsical quilting pattern. It looks awesome and was very quick. Thanks again, for the inspiration.

So Sew Easy
Admin
Active Member
Reply to  Debbie G

Love it! Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work. Happy sewing, Mayra

Sharon
Sharon

Hi. I love the bath mat! There’s a weaving technique that I think would be easy and make your sides nicely finished. Using the cord from a roll, and without cutting it, begin by sewing your first line of stitching and butting the cord right up to it, between the layers. (leave a small end peeking out) Stitch the next row (I like the previous suggestion of a zipper foot) and wrap the cord around, leaving a small loop. Butt the cord up to the stitching, again between layers, and stitch close to the cord. Continue this all the way up the rug and finish with a small tail peeking out at the end (you can cut this off after securing the loops).

Cheryl
Cheryl
Reply to  Sharon

Definitely sounds easier to do the cord this way, great idea

Brenda
Brenda
Reply to  Cheryl

Yes. This does sound easier than rethreading the cord

Lynnette Fishburn
Lynnette Fishburn

Great project. Will probably give it a go. I like everything but the fringe because caring for fringe is a headache. I would probably bind the ends with canvas.

Donna Young
Donna Young

or teach your girl to clean up after her self and turn on the exhaust fan! Just saying, that was what I did when my two were teenagers!

Rusty
Rusty
Reply to  Donna Young

“thumbs up”

Sherry
Sherry

Love this! I can never find a bath mat that I like so this would give a lot more options with all the great canvas fabrics out there! One question on the long sides – did you find that the fabric grays at all with just running 1/4” seam and trimming? Wondered about binding the edges for a more finished look/durability?

Barbara Cohen
Barbara Cohen

Love it but how do you clean it?

sunnysewsit

Also wonder if just laying the cord down and stitching on both sides with a zipper foot – then you don’t have to thread it through channels. Just a thought. But I love this mat and will try making one! Great idea – thanks.

LizC
LizC

The easiest way I have found to thread cord thru something long is to use a cut straightened coat hanger. I make a small loop on one end. Use tape on the ends to avoid snagging fabric. You can also use sand paper to smooth ends. It’s is like a giant sewing needle. I have used mine for years.

Patti
Patti

I love this idea. I think a drop cloth and some paint would turn this project into a nice play room rug.thank you for sharing.

Kathy in W TN
Kathy in W TN

Thanks for this great idea! You could try laying the cording between the rows as you stitch. You’d just have to be careful to keep the layers aligned. I’d probably not cut the 50″ – just use width of fabric. Cut it evenly when you’ve stitched all the rows.

Question: Did you wash your canvases before cutting? And do the raw edges on the long sides fray?

Karla
Karla

Great idea!

Charlene Walker

Thank you for your incredibly detailed instructions! I share a Jack and Jill bath with my 12 yo granddaughter and am tempted to try this darling mat. If I do, I’ll share a picture.

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Linda Southworth
Linda Southworth

Mayra, I love this rug! The cording really makes this look so good AND functional. I am thinking of trying this cutting it larger than needed maybe 3 inches more on each side. When the cord feed is finished sew all 4 sides closed then cut the three layers of canvas( your 3 inches on the outer edges) into 1/2 inch strips and wash like you would a rag quilt. Do you think this would look ok? I realize its canvas so maybe the fraying would not be the same.

Janet
Janet

What a great way to redecorate a bathroom any time I want to, thanks for the tutorial, time to make a few rugs =)

Mary Lyle
Mary Lyle

To thread the cord tape it onto the end of a piece of down or chop stick. It slides through really easily

liz n.
liz n.

Made something similar with canvas and poly-cotton blend batting, using upholstery thread to quilt the sandwich, and bound with coordinating canvas. No fringe, though, as the dear husband always trips over fringed rugs. Absorbs water but dries quickly, doesn’t slide around, and is completely machine washable!

Samone
Samone

This is fantastic! I am wanting cotton rugs. They are typically expensive. This is excellent. Very creative!!! Thank you for posting!

Adelheid
Adelheid

Instead of feeding the cord with the needle, would it be possible to use a binding/beading foot?

Annie
Annie

Great idea! One question: how you do clean it? It is machine washable, dryable? Thanks for this wonderful project!

Leslie Entsminger
Leslie Entsminger

This is genius!!

Crystalized Designs
Crystalized Designs

Great post, thank you for the tutorial!

Barbara Showerman
Barbara Showerman

A really GREAT blog! Thanks for the wonderful rug making tips…

Natalie
Natalie

This is a great idea! I, too, have a teenager (only mine is a boy) who leaves the bathroom looking like a water park! This is definitely going to be next weekend’s project.

Carolyn Bradley
Carolyn Bradley

This is beautiful, and very functional. With the cording I wonder if you could use a zipper foot and sew it in as you go?