I almost didn’t post this tutorial — I made this wall hanging last-minute to add some artwork to our apartment before friends arrived for the weekend. Once I started, though, it felt too good not to share.
This is a simple DIY embroidered wall art piece that cost me about $9 and took roughly an hour to complete. It’s an affordable, quick way to add texture and personality to any room. Read on for the materials and step-by-step instructions.
Budget Breakdown
I began with a small rug remnant from West Elm that was marked down for $4.97. Many retailers sell discontinued rug samples or remnant swatches at steep discounts — they’re an inexpensive, sturdy base for projects like this.
I used a wooden dowel rod I already had (I estimate $3 if you need to buy one) and about $1 worth of jute twine. I used basic tools like a plastic yarn needle and scissors, which I didn’t include in the cost since they’re common craft supplies.
Materials
- Rug remnant or small rug (any size — mine is a West Elm remnant)
- Wooden dowel rod (choose thickness to suit the look — mine is 3/4″ dia.)
- Jute twine (or any hanging cord)
- Plastic yarn needle
- Scissors
Instructions
1. Trim the dowel rod to the correct length. I measured the width of my rug remnant and added 3″ so the dowel extends about 1.5″ beyond each side of the rug for a balanced look.
2. Fold the top edge of the rug remnant over the dowel and wrap it snugly. From the back flap, use a plastic yarn needle and sturdy thread or twine to tack the front of the rug to the back flap. I placed five stitches evenly along the top, right under the dowel, and double-knotted each stitch to secure the fabric to the rod.
3. With the hanging portion of the rug secured, embroider a simple design on the front. I stitched a minimal triangle, but you can personalize it with a name, monogram, geometric shape, or repeating pattern. Use the plastic yarn needle for thicker yarns or twine and take your time to keep stitches even.
4. Add a hanging cord to the ends of the dowel. I tied jute twine to both ends of the rod and knotted it to create a hanger. For a cohesive finish, I also knotted some twine along the bottom edge of the rug to create fringe and tie the twine color into the piece.
5. Hang the finished wall art. I used a simple wooden wall hook for a clean look, but a single nail works perfectly too. No specialized hardware is required.
This project scales up well: if you prefer a larger piece, use a small rug (2×3 or 3×5). The steps remain the same; for bigger rugs consider a thicker dowel for better proportion and support.
Will you try this DIY? This simple wall hanging adds texture and character without much time or expense. It’s a great weekend project and makes a thoughtful handmade gift. If you like woven or embroidered wall art, try mixing textures, colors, and sizes to create a gallery of textile pieces in your space.
P.S. If you’ve noticed the leather tassels in some photos, I shared that tassel tutorial previously and they’re a handy accent to pair with small wall hangings.