I’ve had this plain runner sitting in the studio for months waiting for a makeover. I like its simplicity, but the DIY itch won out and I added a subtle stitched design to make it more interesting. I love a good rug DIY — big or small — and this project felt like the perfect low-effort update.
The technique is very simple, making it ideal for beginners or anyone who wants a relaxed, hands-on project to do while watching a show. With just a few basic supplies you can customize any rug with your own stitched pattern. Below I’ll walk through what I used and the steps I followed.
Materials for Embroidered Rug
- Yarn (choose a color and weight that suits your rug)
- Large yarn needle
- Scissors
- Any plain rug (any size — mine is a runner)
How to Customize a Plain Rug with Embroidery
1. First, sketch your design on paper so you can visualize spacing and scale. I chose a simple linear pattern to keep the look modern and clean.
2. Thread the yarn onto your yarn needle and begin stitching from the back of the rug so the knots sit on the underside. Make a double knot at the start and finish of each line or shape. For this project I used two easy embroidery techniques: a satin stitch (rows of straight stitches placed closely together to form a solid fill) and an alternating running stitch (a series of short dashes that alternate row by row like brickwork). If you need visual references, search for common embroidery stitch guides to see examples of these stitches.
3. When you complete a shape, knot on the back and trim any excess yarn. Then move on to the next line or shape and repeat the process.
4. Work through the entire pattern, then step back and review the rug as a whole. This makes it easier to see where lines might need to be thickened, where to add more fill, or where spacing needs adjustment. That’s all there is to it — a simple, handmade update that transforms a plain rug into a custom piece.
After finishing this runner I started brainstorming other designs to try: stitching a short message or quote using the alternating running stitch would be charming; organic motifs such as circles or flowers would add a softer feel; and tribal or mud cloth-inspired patterns could make a bold statement.
What do you think? Do you have a rug that could use a little handmade makeover like this?