I used an LCD projector to trace a giant bunny outline onto an old shag carpet. Once the shape was cut out, I dyed it black to hide some of the stains and used a remnant of the original white carpet to make an eye. I used this process to make a bunny rug, but you can do the same thing to transfer just about any outline or shape onto a surface.
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Signing UpStep 1: Gather Materials
The bunny rug didn't require too many materials to make...
Carpet
I found this one at a rummage sale - but often carpet store dumpsters are overflowing with carpet remnants (which can sometimes be quite large) or slightly stained carpets.
Fabric Dye
I used RIT fabric dye and followed the instructions for "washing machine" dyeing. Even after a double dose of black dye the off white color carpet still was like a really dark purple or grey, and not quite black. Art supply stores sell concentrated dyes that have to be mixed with soda ash to work - I have a suspicion that these dyes may have produced a darker black. Also, its important to note that the rug I used was synthetic, which doesn't dye quite as easily as cotton.
Image File
You need the shape you want to cut out of your rug. I used a cool wire frame bunny picture I found online which I have attached below.
Additional Materials
-hammer and nails to hang carpet on wall
-black magic marker to trace outline
-good pair of scissors - I highly recommend a pair of large sheet metal scissors shown in the picture below - they cut through anything!
- LCD projector (you can use an overhead projector with a printed acetate if you don't have access to an LCD projector)
- ladder to reach top of carpet
-needle and thread to sew on the eye
-washing machine or large tub to dye in
-bleach to rinse your washing machine with once you dye the fabric so it doesn't get stained
Carpet
I found this one at a rummage sale - but often carpet store dumpsters are overflowing with carpet remnants (which can sometimes be quite large) or slightly stained carpets.
Fabric Dye
I used RIT fabric dye and followed the instructions for "washing machine" dyeing. Even after a double dose of black dye the off white color carpet still was like a really dark purple or grey, and not quite black. Art supply stores sell concentrated dyes that have to be mixed with soda ash to work - I have a suspicion that these dyes may have produced a darker black. Also, its important to note that the rug I used was synthetic, which doesn't dye quite as easily as cotton.
Image File
You need the shape you want to cut out of your rug. I used a cool wire frame bunny picture I found online which I have attached below.
Additional Materials
-hammer and nails to hang carpet on wall
-black magic marker to trace outline
-good pair of scissors - I highly recommend a pair of large sheet metal scissors shown in the picture below - they cut through anything!
- LCD projector (you can use an overhead projector with a printed acetate if you don't have access to an LCD projector)
- ladder to reach top of carpet
-needle and thread to sew on the eye
-washing machine or large tub to dye in
-bleach to rinse your washing machine with once you dye the fabric so it doesn't get stained
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I didn't use this the photo I had of Diller because it was very small and would not have produced the outline I wanted. The rug was a surprise, so I couldn't get another photo of the bunny. While there are some differences of course between Diller and the rug, the rug recipient reported that it looked "exactly like him". But I think perhaps she embellished because she was really excited to receive the rug.
A new picture of Diller sitting on the actual rug now exists. If I can get a copy of it, I will post it as another comment.
Thanks for the tip about changing the title - I will do that now.
There was some dyeing done around here recently too :P Here's directions for another way to use that dye.