Guest Author - Iris ten Holder

You are ready to cut material to make a rag rug, but where to start? There is always a "But first", so here it is. You need to choose the right kind of material. There are some considerations. You need to know how to cut the strips and what size they should be, and you will want to know what tools to use.

Choosing material

Composition
When choosing fabrics for a rug, use similar materials. Don't mix wools and cottons, for example, as their washing requirements and tolerances are totally different. Test the fabrics you intend to use for your rug by taking a piece of each material and washing them together. Any problems will be known immediately and can be addressed either by replacing the offending material or choosing to label the rug "dry cleaning only. If cold washing is necessary, write that on the label. If all materials are totally washable, write that on the label as well. The user will appreciate such information.

Type
The type of material depends on the rug making method and on the final use of the rug. Is this going to be a boudoir rug, a washable rug for the children's room, a funky rug for a teenager, or a decorative accent for the den or living room? Of course a washable cotton rug will look great in the kitchen eating area.

There are over 20 methods to make a rag rug (see Rugmaker's Homestead Rug Tour). Each has its peculiar effect and requirements for cutting. A shirred rug requires fairly wide strips that can be folded in half. For crochet, strips cut on the bias gives the best flexibility. They tend to fold themselves, although there is a tool that will facilitate this. The same would hold true for knitting. Braiding is another option.

For the canvas type rugs that are hooked, poked or prodded through a backing material, both straight cut and bias cut will work, the width of the strip being determined by the type of design. Finer strips will allow more detail, while wider strips are good for bold primitive designs.

Choosing a cutting method

Most woven fabrics can be ripped along the grain. Snip with scissors to start the cut. There are fabrics that resist ripping in one direction or another. Some fabrics may allow a continuous cut when the scissors are gently pushed along the grain. This speeds up things considerably.

Many woven fabrics can be cut on the bias; that is, diagonally across the grain. Fabrics cut this way will fray less. This slight fraying is characteristic of rag rugs and lends them a particular charm. These strips could be a bit wider since they will stretch and become narrower. Knit fabrics are best cut by hand

Another alternative is a cloth slitter. These vary from simple gadgets to serious pieces of machinery. If rug making is going to be a passion or a commercial venture, this investment will certainly pay off in time saved. Strips can be cut in sizes varying from 1/4" to 2".