Sisal Area Rug Project

Tickle your toes and your fancy as well with a textural sisal rug that you customize with fabric dye.

Pick three or more colors for a one-of-a-kind patchwork design that's in step with your room's palette. Sisal is a natural vegetable fiber used to make inexpensive carpet and area rugs. Varieties range from maize, as shown here, to rice straw, dragon grass, and coir (coconut husk). Inherently absorbent, sisal can be dyed into rich, vibrant colors. Bounce the colors around the rug to balance contrasting hues.

Cost: Around $75, depending on the size of the rug

Time: A day and a half

Skill Level: Beginner

• Maize or sisal rug made of 12-inch squares
• Powdered fabric dyes
• 2 quarts hot water for each dye color
• Pan for dying (cannot be used for food later)
• Rubber gloves
• Newspaper
• Bleach mixed with water (for cleanup)
• Large needle
• Heavy string or dental floss
• Scissors

1. Separate the squares. Maize, one common type of sisal, is sold in sewn-together, 12-inch squares. Cut squares apart to dye.

2. Dye the sisal. Combine one box of powder dye with 2 quarts of hot water in a pan. Double the dye amount for strong colors. Wearing rubber gloves, immerse sisal until the desired color is achieved, about 5-10 minutes. Lay flat on newspaper to dry overnight. (The color lightens as it dries.) Clean the container with bleach water.

3. Play with pattern. Toss the dyed squares onto the floor and experiment with placement of the contrasting colors. Repeat each color at least twice for visual appeal.

4. Join the squares. Using a large needle and heavy string, fishing line, or dental floss, hand-sew the squares together at the corners and in the middle of each side. Push the threaded needle through an existing hole in the sisal, loop needle through twice, then tie the ends together on the back of the rug.