Handwoven rag rugs have been made since the end of the 18th century -- But how is this rug making done?

Handwoven rag rugs have been made since the latter part of the 18th century by weaving together strips of fabric cut from old rags, such as unused clothes and blankets. These were much simpler and poorer times, and the people of the day would save every last piece of rag for making into something new.

There are many ways to create a handmade rag rug. The original ones were mostly hooked rugs and were produced by 'hooking' narrow strips of cut or torn fabric, made from old rags, through a burlap or hessian (sacking) backcloth. These handwoven rugs would often display a pattern which the rug maker created by weaving different colored strips of fabric during the rug making process. When the weaving part of this process was completed the rug maker would finish the rug by turning it's edges over and making good. He would then paint the back of the rug with latex glue which would fix the fabric hoops into place. Finally an old cloth would be fixed to the back of the rug to act as it's base.

These days, many weaving techniques are used when making handmade rag rugs. One of the most popular is braiding strips of fabric together to form braided rugs. The long braids required when making this style of rug are produced by sewing short strips of fabric together along a diagonal seam. These strips are then handwoven together to form the braid, which is then coiled on the floor and sewn into place. Braided rugs come in two basic shapes, round rugs and oval rugs, with the shape of the rug being determined by the way the braid is laid out on the floor prior to sewing. In an extreme example, oval rugs are often designed as rug runners by keeping them long and thin.

March 8th, 2005

By: Paul Goodwin
Website: http://www.a-to-z-of-rugs.com

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