Friday, October 5, 2007

From the Rag Bag

I've got a new post at Lehman's Country Life blog - it's moderated and I'm limited to once a month or less... whenever they want me to write. Anyway, this post is Real Rag Rugs, about making rugs from real rags. Or real rag rugs. Or real rags, made into rugs.

Look over the rest of the site while you're there. There's some good reading (and I'm not just saying that because... well, you know.)

About those rags: I hope you have a rag bag or basket to work from. Rugs, patchwork, cleaning cloths, grease rags or whatever you use them for, don't throw them out. Hem the ones you want to use to clean with and they last a lot longer, besides not leaving ravelings in the washing machine. Heavy or nonabsorbent material makes good grease or workshop rags, but save the "good" stuff to make things from - and not just rugs, though that's a good place to start.

Potholders, patchwork table cloths or curtains or aprons or... or quilts. Placemats, coasters, dresser or table scarves, headscarves...

10 comments:

  1. This is my first time to your blog and I really have enjoyed it. I posted, as you know, an article on Lehman's blog too about my murals and I sent some of my artist friends to the site to read it. My article was below yours so they had to scroll down the page a ways and many commented on your rag rug article! They really enjoyed it. There is a big trend in art to use recycled materials that I am hoping to explore more fully when time permits. Right now I am playing with it on a small scale and gathering ideas and materials but the idea would be to use discarded or recycled materials on a larger scale in an art gallery. The rag rugs fit in so nicely to pull a room together with the recycled 'theme' and demonstrate how many materials can have a visually appealing second life! Thank you for sharing and putting together such a nice blog!

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  2. Thank you, Sue. Recycling is an old "art," that has been threatened with extinction in this consumer driven culture. I'm glad to see it anywhere!

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  3. Pat, I would like to let you know. That article is huge.

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  4. Pat, I hope you understood my comment. I meant that the Article was a huge success :) thank to Sarah for pointing this out.

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  5. Yes, I understood that, Greg, thanks. I may be an old fogey, but I'm not altogether out of the loop. ;)

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  6. I loved your blog. First time here, keep it going. Rag rugs are a part of my history. My grandmother would hook rag rugs in the evenings. Loved to watch her. Check out my blog. http://lessthan800dollarsmonthly.blogspot.com/ M

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  7. Mistressofthemoonlight... thank you for commenting and for posting your blog URL. I was fascinated and inspired by it. I've bookmarked it and will visit again soon, so keep writing! :)

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  8. Thanks for the reminder. I had completely forgotten that I knew how to make braided rugs, and my husband was about to throw away some badly torn clothing. Now I'm braiding away!

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  9. Harper, I hope you enjoy the process as well as the product. :)

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