Buyers and Sellers of Everything but the Ordinary

The Making of Rag Rugs

I begin making rag rugs about a year ago and have since gotten quite a bit better at it. At least they lay flat now, instead of looking like really weird hands or bowls. I decided when I started doing this I wouldn't use a loom or anything else along those lines. These rugs are made the way our grandmothers used to make them. Each strip of fabric is hand cut, hand sewn and hand crocheted. So, there's a lot of work involved in each and every rug I make. Plus, the task of finding just the right combination of material and colors. If you were to follow the advise given by grandma, you wouldn't put this rug in the washer at all, but would hand wash it.

Tags: cotton, handmade, rag, rug

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Permalink Reply by Sherry Norden on March 13, 2009 at 11:28pm: Nancy, have you ever made the ones that are crocheted with plastic bags ? We used to get our paper delivered in dark blue bags and orange bags. there is a special way to cut them so that they make a long strip. Then just crochet and tuck as you go. They make a great spongy rug for the patio or kitchen floor by the sink. They can be cleaned by just hosing off with a garden hose. If you want more information on this, please contact me.

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Permalink Reply by Nancy J Asplund on March 13, 2009 at 11:43pm: Hi! I've had several people tell me about the plastic bag rugs but have never done one before. It sounds like it would be interesting to try. I'd love the information. I wonder how they got it to go in one long strip? Hmm!! Look forward to receiving the info. Nancy; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sherry Norden on March 14, 2009 at 12:20am: Nancy, I will send the instructions to your email address. I don't have photos of the process but maybe I can describe it to you.

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Permalink Reply by Pieper (Sallie) on March 29, 2009 at 12:10pm: Nancy, those rugs bring back such joy to my heart. My grandmother made several and my Mom had one in our house -- huge in the front room -- which I never appreciated until now. Of course, after fifty years or so, the thing just fell apart. As I recall, it was sewn together rather than crocheted?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nancy J Asplund on March 29, 2009 at 1:36pm: No, I've never done a plastic rug before. I get asked the question quite often and am thinking I may have to give it a try and see what happens.

Sallie, they do a cut in a circle around the bag from the top to the bottom so it is in a spiral type strip.

Sherry I'd love the information on the plastic rugs. Sounds like it'd be fun to try.

I'm working on a new rug right that is going to be a real BOGGER BEAR. I had gotten some really pretty fabric along with several others and didn't think to feel it before I bought it. Decided the other night to get it out and cut it so I could get the new rug going and thought "this feels funny", it would because it's a kind of burlap. My poor fingers are going to be so raw by the time I get this rug done. It's really rough material, but along with the coral pink linen fabric and the splash of different colors in the rough material, this is going to be one of the prettiest rugs yet. I can't wait to finish it, but I'm taking my time so I don't tear up my fingers and I really, really don't want to have to tear this one out. No Way!!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nancy J Asplund on March 29, 2009 at 1:40pm: I remember my grandmother having several rag rugs in their house too. A lot of them were braided and sewn but I think they probably fell apart because the thread rots. Back then they didn't have the tough threads used for upholstery and coats like we do now. That's what I use for my rugs. With the crocheted ones they won't rot as fast or ever because there is very little thread used and even if the thread goes away the rug will stay together because of the crochet.

Pieper (Sallie) said:
Nancy, those rugs bring back such joy to my heart. My grandmother made several and my Mom had one in our house -- huge in the front room -- which I never appreciated until now. Of course, after fifty years or so, the thing just fell apart. As I recall, it was sewn together rather than crocheted?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pieper (Sallie) on April 3, 2009 at 3:22pm: Yep, that's what they were - braided and sewn. Actually, they last about 75 years! Pretty good and probably because they were in our dry climate as opposed to Illinois where they were created. Anyway, if you need plastic bags, let me know; the stores are getting finicky about using them and they may soon be "outlawed" (LOL) - they aren't pretty, just the plain old tan type, but if you decide to do bag rugs, they might work!

Nancy J Asplund said:
I remember my grandmother having several rag rugs in their house too. A lot of them were braided and sewn but I think they probably fell apart because the thread rots. Back then they didn't have the tough threads used for upholstery and coats like we do now. That's what I use for my rugs. With the crocheted ones they won't rot as fast or ever because there is very little thread used and even if the thread goes away the rug will stay together because of the crochet.

Pieper (Sallie) said:
Nancy, those rugs bring back such joy to my heart. My grandmother made several and my Mom had one in our house -- huge in the front room -- which I never appreciated until now. Of course, after fifty years or so, the thing just fell apart. As I recall, it was sewn together rather than crocheted?; ▶ Reply to This