These scale miniature rugs can be made in any size for most dolls house scales from sheer ribbon and flocking. You can flock them with commercial flocking available from scrap booking suppliers, or cut your own flock from thread for very small scales if a very fine powder is not available. The flocking gives the rugs the appearance of pile, and as the flocking is not particularly thick, it works well for smaller scale scenes.
This is an easy technique to master but it does take some practise. There are several ways to get the same effect, so if one method doesn't work well for you, try another. It is a good idea to try some test examples of flocking first before you try to flock through the ribbon. That way you will understand how your particular chosen materials work.
If you prefer the look of an allover printed rug, you can flock printable rugs with white flock which will still allow you to see through to the pattern. As white flock does tend to 'gray' the pattern, use bold patterns with strong colors as the backing for your printed rug.
Although you can print rugs onto flocked paper for a similar effect, the advantage of this technique is that it gives you a bordered or allover woven pattern, and the flocking means the technique works well for 1:24 and 1:48 scale where flocked paper seems to have too deep a pile.
Note Flocking with fine fibers creates irritating dust. Work in a well ventilated area and use a mask if necessary. Do not breath in the flocking fibers!
