Make Your Own Rug │ Carpet Binding

Make your own rug and runners has never been more simple

Typically, a stair runner or rug will be cut from a wider or remnant piece of broadloom carpet, sometimes as wide as 4m or 5m. This will mean it has raw edges, which will easily fray and require carpet binding. Traditionally, this would he been done with an overlocking stitch (like a basic blanket stitch) or having a rug binding tape, such as leather or cotton, sewn to the edges. However, both these options involve sending your carpet away to a specialist manufacturer and are consequently costly and long-winded. In contrast, you can edge your rug or runner with Easybind at home: it’s simple and fast and looks smart.

Rope carpet binding fitted in motorhome cab — Easybind carpet edging has multiple uses including rugs, runners for the home & motorhomes

Where can I use Easybind?

Easybind is suitable for fixing to most qualities of carpet to create a runner or rug, made to your specific dimensions and shape, including oblongs, circles and right angles. Likewise, it works well on some natural flooring (tight weave), including some sisals.

Certainly, its versatility makes it phenomenally popular. Whether you have a motorhome or mansion, caravan, church or luxury yacht, this rope carpet trim looks the part.

pale blue Easybind edges a stripey stair runner — Shown here Blue Dunn carpet edging – the easy way to make a stair runner

What is Easybind carpet edge binding?

This mixed fibre, rope-style carpet edging is self-adhesive and comes already attached to the backing tape; this backing tape attaches to the reverse of the carpet, leaving only the rope edging visible. When sealed with a narrow bead of glue, it neatly locks in the loose fibres of the raw edges and creates an attractive, narrow edging strip to a stair runner and rug.

Easybind edging — The carpet binding backing is self adhesive

Choose your carpet edging from 38 colours

Whilst the names may be deceiving, the colours of this range of carpet binding provide an excellent selection to complement or contrast most styles of plain or patterned carpet. You can choose from either the standard colours, some of which are two-tone, or the Deluxe colour range – the latter have an attractive, additional sheen to the fibres.

Click to view the 38 Easybind colours

Make your own rug any size or shape

The versatility of Easybind means that any design and width of carpet can be transformed into a smart stair runner or rug. Circles, squares, oblongs and unusual angles are all possible.

Likewise, the fixing method is discrete and durable and is suitable for both residential and commercial installations. The choice of 38 colours provides a popular selection of plain hues and stripes to contrast or coordinate with your main body carpet. Made from strong synthetic yarn, Easybind carpet binding has a subtle silk finish, which complements most yarns and natural flooring.

How to apply your carpet binding

Follow this video for a step-by-step demonstration of how to edge your rugs and runners

Or follow these simple instructions:

1. Prepare carpet edges.
2. When Easybind is cut the rope part will fray, so apply Sellotape around the rope and cut through the middle of the tape.
3. Always start in the middle, not a corner, as it is easier to join two pieces on a straight section. Peel tape and press into the carpet backing as you go, as shown above and below.
4. It is important to run the rope parallel to the carpet edge, leaving sufficient gap between the carpet and the rope for the glue gun nozzle.
5. When going around a corner, cut the binding, not the rope! As shown above.
6. Corner technique shown from below the carpet.
7. When going around an inside corner, cut the binding, not the rope!
8. This makes a seemless finish.
9. When joining the start and end of the carpet binding, apply Seelotape to the area where the cut will be made. This helps prevent the rope from fraying when cut.
10. When the binding is cut, match the rope pieces together. Have the ends of the adhesive tape visible, in order to allow easier removal. Seal the two pices of rope with a spot of hot glue, then peel away the Sellotape.
11. When you are happy with the join and corners etc., use the glue gun to apply a bead of glue between the binding and carpet backing, pinching together as you go. Be extra careful not to get any glue on the carpet.
12. For large runs, try a piece of timber to help attach large sections of the carpet binding. Use a glue gun mat to catch any glue that may drip from the end of the gun.