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A Rat Rod isn�t complete without a Mexican Blanket thrown over the seat. Here�s a technique I used to make one for my own in-progress rat. It�s no more time consuming than wiring a motor, and the result is a
great little detail. Here�s what we�ll end up with when we�re done:
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Here�s the material you�ll need for this project: Various colors of ordinary household thread, sharp scissors, paper masking tape, double-stick Scotch tape and tweezers.
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First, you�ll need to cut the thread to length. Thread is cheap�cut the pieces longer than you need so they�ll be easier to work with. Wrap the thread around your fingers and cut as shown. Need longer pieces?
Use more fingers.
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Next, attach a piece of masking tape to your work surface. The large piece of tape is positioned sticky-side-up and anchored at each end with smaller pieces of masking tape.
The tape is sticky-side-up so we
can attach the thread. Use a larger piece of tape than you�ll need�the rug finished rug will be trimmed later. Draw a few pencil guidelines on the tape you�re the thread will remain straight for the length of the
rug. Lay the first piece of thread onto the tape and pat it down so it sticks and won�t shift. If the first piece is nice and straight, the rest will fall into place fairly easily.
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This is where the longer thread length comes in handy and makes the pieces much easier to handle.
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Add additional thread one piece at a time, making sure that each new piece is tight against the last. You�re working on the length of the rug at this stage. Stop when you�re rug is as long as you want it. When
you�re finished, it should look like this. The extra thread hangs off the sides of the rug. It sounds tedious and time consuming, and it is�..but the results are worth it.
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Next, pull off the end pieces of tape and trim the blanket too the width you need.. It�s easier to get a sharp edge if you trim into the tape. Don�t just cut off the loose ends of thread.
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The blanket isn�t complete until we add the fringe on the ends. That�s where the double-sided Scotch tape comes into play. Turn the rug face-down and lay a small piece of double-sided tape across each end. Make
the tape longer so it also holds the rug to the work surface.
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Press small pieces of white thread onto the tape as shown. Leave more space between pieces than you did on the construction of the rug itself.
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When you�re done, carefuly trim the fringe to length.
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That�s it! The finished blanket can now be folded to fit your particular application.
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