Guest Author - Iris ten Holder

Rugs made from fabric strips include rag rugs, such as hooked rugs, braided rugs and woven rugs. In all these rugs the preparation of the fabric strips is an important step. The width of the strips can vary from one quarter of an inch to two inches. It all depends on the method used. The wider strips used in braided rugs and woven rugs are generally folded to hide the raw edges.

Another consideration is the backing material. Some rugs have a backing while others do not need one. Hooked rugs depend on a backing, through which the strips of fabric are pulled to the front, leaving small loops of colored fabric. Braided rugs and woven rugs are simply braided or woven. For braided rugs, the fabric strips is all that is needed, while for woven rugs things can be more complicated. It is possible to make a simple mat with fabric strips by attaching strips the lengthwise to a simple frame and weaving the other strips through from side to side and either cut them at the edge or feed them through continuously. The ends of the strips on the short side will be the fringes.

For rugs made of fabric strips, including the braided rug, there is a preparation stage. Fabric yardage needs to be cut in strips. This can be done by hand, cutting the strips with scissors, or by tearing. Cutting can become hard on the hands, while tearing can kick up quite a bit of dust. Tearing is not suitable for all fabrics, but it can be a fast and easy way to gather a good supply of fabric strips.

The tool that might come in handy here is a cloth slitter, which will speed up this task. Some are simple, others more sophisticated. All require that fabric be fed into the slitter, which then produces fabric strips of equal width. For hooked rugs that require very fine strips, such a tool is indispensable.

If it is your choice to make a rag rug, there are several options. Rag rugs (made with fabric strips) can be hooked, braided or woven, or even knotted. The result of course is very different. The methods range from simple to complex.

The toothbrush rug may well be the simplest method, while the hooked rug can be quite complex. Small woven rugs can be made on a simple handmade frame, while large looms are extremely sophisticated and can produce rugs up to 10 ft wide.

By listing some of the characteristics of the various textures and materials hope to have given you an insight into the possiblities.

It is up to you to make the choice, or read more...