Thursday, October 2, 2014

Twinning: Weaving a Rag Rug

Debra over at Frugal Little Bungalow has been responsible for me getting interested in a couple of things; quilting along with the Benjamin Biggs Quilt, and Twinning a rag rug. Thanks Debra! I have found that I love Twinning much more than crocheting for rag rugs. Very satisfying and addicting for me. My loom measures 26" x 38", it has nails across the top spaced at 1/2 inch intervals. It also has a metal rod down the side to keep the sides straight and not have them pull in. I can't imagine how hard it would be to have straight sides without that rod! I had a bit of a wobble even with it there.





It's about repurposing too; this rug is made from a twin sheet and another piece of fabric about the same size. I made something I needed and love out of something I didn't need any longer....using what I already have to fill a need. I also hope you will decide to try this weaving technique, or perhaps get your kids started on this craft because it is a wonderful confidence building tool. 



I want to share with you what I learned along the way while I twinned.  I tore my fabric into strips about 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide. This is a messy process because there will be a lot of lint. Do it outside if you can. The strips can be cut, here's how I do that. It didn't seem to matter if my strips were not exactly the rite size in the finished rug. My strips were wound into balls keeping each ball about the same size. When I finished one ball of strips I started on a new color. It worked out pretty well. The strips are not sewn or tied together until you are weaving.



I planned to alternate the 2 colors so I started the warp with the fabric that I had the most of... the darker one. I had an old shirt of my husbands that was a light weight denim. It was a yellow mustard color so I tore it into strips too thinking it would add a pop of color. I decided to add a short strip of the yellow shirt now and then.  I used most but not all of the fabric for this size rug. 

After warping, you start across the top and work a few rows, then turn the loom over and work a few rows on the bottom. You flip the loom over again continuing the flipping until you are at the middle. Then for the final couple of rows you may need the help of a crochet hook or another tool to finish. As you go you will need to add on new strips of fabric and I learned a nifty technique to do it quickly. It makes a nice smooth knot too. Here's a link for that. 

The fabrics were different; one was all cotton and the other a cotton blend. I did not like working with the cotton blend at all and won't use it again unless I have too. It frayed a lot and just didn't feel good to my fingers as I wove. 



I also found that I would weave differently on different days. Some days I would pull tighter than others. Try to be consistent, though this weaving technique is forgiving. Also just before I finished it I realized I had not kept the rows tight enough and after tightening them I had to add additional rows.



I found that this process actually went faster than I expected and it turned out prettier than expected too. 

Have a look at how pretty this Twinned rug is! I learned a lot from iamauntmeem , she has several You Tube videos on Twinning. She shows you how to keep the raw edges of the strips to the inside for a nice clean finish. I didn't bother with that this time. Here is where you can get a loom for yourself, Our Old Country Store.

I link at these parties. 




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16 comments:

  1. I love the rug - it's absolutely beautiful! Thanks for the tutorial. This winter when I am stuck in the house because of bad weather, I just might make a rug or two!

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  2. A rag rug has been on my "to do list" for as long as I can remember. I WILL make one one day. My excuse is I'm still researching different methods!

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  3. Oh Connie what a wonderful job you did..this is so pretty!!! :)

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  4. I have been wanting to make a rag rug! Have you ever tried to make on with old jeans? I have a pile of worn jeans that I have been saving to make a rug with, but don't know if the fabric is too heavy for this method. Thanks for sharing this on the HomeAcre Hop.

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  5. oh love your rug! thanks so much for sharing your hints and tips, I can't wait to make my own!

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  6. Your rug is beautiful! Pretty colors! I think the process would be very relaxing!

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  7. Your rug is cute! You and Deb are both so talented. I would not have the patience.

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  8. Wow. Beautiful colors in the rug. I think I like the overall look of this way better than the crocheting technique. Stunning. Thanks for linking up to Show Me Saturday! Hope to see you there next week.

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  9. Love the colors in your rug.
    I did,a demonstration, of one of these rugs at a gift shop open house. It was interesting that several men commented that their dad had used window frames in the old days to make this type of rugs.
    I have used ugly polyester to make a rug. It is very durable and does not look bad when woven.

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  10. This is amazing, Connie!
    Thank you for sharing your post this week at Brag About It Link Party on VMG206. I'm featuring you at Next Weeks Brag About It Link Party, Monday at midnight!
    ~ Megin of VMG206

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  11. Very pretty rug and a great way to repurpose fabric! I like the pops of yellow you worked in. You are featured this week on busy Monday. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. Great way to repurpose and a very pretty rug as a result! Love the pops of yellow that you worked in to the design. You are featured this week on Busy Monday. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. I love it! It's really neat. Hope you come back tomorrow for the party!
    Xo
    Isabelle
    www.lechateaudesfleurs.com

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  14. I love rugs like this. They just seem like fun.

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  15. I'm in love with your rug! Pinned. Lou Lou Girls

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Thank you SO much for taking the time to leave a comment!