Bind Your Carpet Remnants in 5 Steps

While many people throw out carpet remnants without using them, there are a number of different ways that you can make use of these leftover scraps. Many carpet remnants are large enough to be turned into small mats to be used either inside or outside of the house. However, one of the problems with carpet remnants is that they tend to have rough and frayed edges. In order to make those edges appear nice and clean and to protect the durability of the carpet edges, consider binding them. Read on for a brief guide on how to bind your carpet remnants.

Step 1 - Trim the Frayed Edges

Use the shears to carefully trim off any frayed edges of the carpet. This should help to eliminate any of the parts of the edging that are already coming undone or which may be more prone to damage later on. Do not trim into the carpet itself or cut into any part of the carpet which is still viable.

Step 2 - Thread the Darning Needle

Wear the thimble to protect yourself from injury. Carefully thread the end of the thread through the eye of the darning upholstery or carpet needle. Many people opt to use jute or a thicker type of thread to help bind the binding to the edge of the carpet more securely. It's up to you; decide which type of thread looks to be the best to match the color of your carpet.

Step 3 - Cut the Border Binding Tape

Lay the border binding out next to the carpet, then use the shears to cut it so that it has about two extra inches on the side. This will help to ensure that there's enough room for the border to fold over the edge of the carpet so that you can attach it securely.

Step 4 - Fold the Border

Fold the part of the binding that hangs over the edge of the carpet over the edge. Double-check it at every foot or so to be sure that it's even on both the top and bottom of the carpet. Flatten the binding out to create a crease to make it easier to sew.

Step 5 - Sew the Border Into Place

Use a cross-stitch to sew the binding into place over the carpet. Be sure that the needle goes through the entire carpet and both sides of the binding in order to ensure that it is held together properly. The binding should be sewed from the bottom of the carpet all the way to the top, where you can tie off the thread with a large knot.

Alternately, if you're unable to sew properly, you can purchase a type of binding tape that is designed to adhere to the carpet with glue. These tend to not be quite as stable or sturdy as the standard types of binding tape, however.