Stay organized, and learn how to craft a charming rag rug basket in our step-by-step tutorial. This ingenious Ikea hack can be used with any rug too!

Rag rug baskets, also known as rug baskets, are a beautiful and practical addition to any home decor. These unique and handcrafted pieces combine the functionality of a basket with the cozy texture of rag rugs, resulting in an eye-catching and practical storage solution.

Whether used to organize toys, magazines, or household essentials, rag rug baskets effortlessly blend style and utility. And this time of year, many of us have organizing on the brain as we start the year with resolutions to keep the clutter at bay.

For me, Erin, it’s about finally organizing my craft supply stash so things are easier to find and less stressful to look at. These textile baskets, made from an inexpensive Ikea rag rug are perfect for storing everything from craft supplies to linen closet toiletries, and can collapse flat when not in use.

Plus, these rug storage baskets are as pretty and cute as they are functional. Because you know that we’re all about a little bit of color in our life!

Table of Contents

Materials and Tools Needed

Rag rug — We used the Tanum Flatwoven Rug from Ikea. It’s a durable rug that has been available at Ikea for years. And even though this is an Ikea hack, this DIY project will work with any rectangular rag rug.

Coordinating canvas or twill fabric — For bottom of basket

Matching thread

Duct tape

Sewing machine with size 14 needle — We’ve seen some tutorial use fabric glue. But for the sake of longevity and durability, we recommend using a sewing machine to reinforcing the seams with stitching.

Scissors

Sewing pins

T-square

Jump to Instructions Print Recipe

How to Make a DIY Rag Rug Basket

1 — Lay the rug out vertically in front of you. Using the T-bar, measure 7” down from the short side of the rug. (10” down for a larger basket.

2 — Using scissors, cut across the width of the rug at this measurement.

3 — Run a strip of duct tape across the bottom cut edge of the rug to prevent fraying, and make 1/2″ clips every 1” along the bottom edge of the duct tape.

4 — Fold the rug in half with the right sides facing one another.

5 — Sew up the edge at 3/8” seam allowance, stopping just before reaching the twine ties.

Because of the thickness of both layers of rug, we chose not to pin them together for this step. It was a short enough distance and there seemed to be enough texture not to need to.

6 — Next, untie the twine knots at each end, and re-tie the two groups together to form one knot.

7 — Cut out an 8” circle of canvas. We used a gold hoop as a guide, but any kind of round bowl or plate will do too.

8 — Pin right sides of the rug and the canvas bottom together with sewing pins. The clips at the bottom of the rug will allow it to form to the circular canvas bottom.

9 — Sew the two layers together at 1/2” – 3/4” seam allowance.

10 — Turn right side out, form into cylindrical shape, and braid the twine ties if you wish. And now you’ve got your own DIY woven rag rug!

More Easy Ikea Hacks

We’re using our rag baskets specifically for yarn and stationery storage. It’s also a clever blanket storage idea. What will you use yours for?! Our blog is filled with Ikea hacks so if you love making them just as much as us, check out some easy hacks below —