rag rug

[Trying2keepitReal]

when i was younger (think 12 years old) I made a rag rug with an old toothbrush made into a needle that a family friend taught me to make. She is no longer alive so I am not able to reach out to her but I would like to make a couple rag rugs for the house as a winter project. Does anyone have any easy, I am talking E---A----S----Y, directions that I could run with? I might have some old tshirts laying around that I can strip and sew together into long strips but I might have to go to good will or something too.

Thanks

 

[Alaskan]

My dad's mom would save scrap fabric from old shirts and dresses, then tear them into long strips, about 2 inches wide. She would sew the 2 inch ends together on the sewing machine, do she ended up with a HUGE long fabric strip, with yes.. unfinished sides.

Then she would crochet the long cloth strip, starting in the middle, to make a circle or oval.

As she crocheted she would roll/fold the unfinished cloth edges inwards, so the unfinished edges were completely hidden, and formed more of a rope.

I think when the rug was the size she wanted she simply tucked in the end... no more sewing.

 

[baymule]

When I was 6 years old, my great grandmother showed me how she made hook rugs with strips of fabric and burlap. Fast forward many years later, my grandmother had two of Mama Wall's rugs in her attic and said I could have them. They were brittle from the attic heat, frayed, needed repair. I soaked them in the bathtub with lots of fabric softener, draining out the dirty water, letting the rug drain overnight and refilling the tub to do it again. Then I laid out a sheet in the shade and transferred the rug outside to dry. Upshot is, I repaired those old rugs, hand sewed a denim backing on one made of blue jean legs. I was able to save and repair them because of that one time Mama Wall took a few minutes to show a child what she was doing. I never forgot it. I still have those rugs. Mama Wall died over 45 years ago and probably didn't make any hook rugs from her 80's to 100's. So I would guess those rugs are no less than 70 years old, probably much older. I treasure them.

 

[Trying2keepitReal]

When I was 6 years old, my great grandmother showed me how she made hook rugs with strips of fabric and burlap. Fast forward many years later, my grandmother had two of Mama Wall's rugs in her attic and said I could have them. They were brittle from the attic heat, frayed, needed repair. I soaked them in the bathtub with lots of fabric softener, draining out the dirty water, letting the rug drain overnight and refilling the tub to do it again. Then I laid out a sheet in the shade and transferred the rug outside to dry. Upshot is, I repaired those old rugs, hand sewed a denim backing on one made of blue jean legs. I was able to save and repair them because of that one time Mama Wall took a few minutes to show a child what she was doing. I never forgot it. I still have those rugs. Mama Wall died over 45 years ago and probably didn't make any hook rugs from her 80's to 100's. So I would guess those rugs are no less than 70 years old, probably much older. I treasure them.

this is so awesome to hear. what a great memory to share

 

[tortoise]

I might attempt rag rugs again. The local animal shelter throws away fitted sheets that are donated because they get so many of them and they're hard to work with. Kids and I could make little braided rag rugs for cat cages. Or maybe we could make them into snuffle mats. So many possibilities! We just made a bag full of braided tug toys from some sheets MIL brought up that were thrown away from her local shelter.

 

[tortoise]

I started a rag rug but didn't finish it. I just braided and sewed and braided and sewed. I didn't follow directions. I was surprised how quickly it used up my fabric scraps. I ran out when it was about 12" diameter and I gave up. I was thinking about this yesterday! I would have to buy fabric if I was going to try again. I have issues with wanting it to match and be pretty...

 

[Mini Horses]

And quilts! Old shirts and dresses -- they wore dresses then -- were often cut into squares for quilts. While there were wonderful patterns, these were usually made for needed covers. Things were used and repurposed then, way more than now. Frugal necessity more than a green movement.

 

[AllerkrosS3]

Hi, it's a pity that this happened, but the story is very interesting

 

[CarrieB]

Could anyone post directions for someone who hasn't made one before? I would love to make one. Thanks!

 

[Britesea]

I got a whole bag of scraps; everything from leftovers from sewing projects to worn-out underwear. Some of it for things like rag rugs or crazy quilts, some for gun-cleaning rags... whatever. Also several worn out knitted stuff that I will unravel for more yarn when I need it. I keep and recycle almost everything- even paper towels- dry and re use the ones that are just wet, use the greasy ones to lubricate something.