I'm thinking of trying this out and would love to ultimately make a large rug for our living room. I was thinking of using cotton fabric since I have so many scraps to get me started. Does anyone have any guidance for me? Will the braids be sturdy enough just with fabric or do I need something else for an inner core for the braids? If anyone has a book recommendation with instructions I would greatly appreciate your input!
I'm thinking of making a door mat though. Natural Home magazine made a door mat out of t-shirts in one of their recent issues. They made a loom out of 2X2's and cut t-shirts in too 3 inch wide loops and wove a door mat (think big pot holder loom). It was a pretty cool use for used t-shirts if you have WAY TOO many scrap rags.
I've seen a book on this and I *think* they put a cord in the in the middle but I could be wrong. You could use a knitting spool and make the scraps into a cord first and then stitch it together. Just a thought.
I thought someone here or on the sewing board made a scrap rug not too long ago, or maybe it was baskets, Its been a while.
I have made a rug out of tshirts and out of cotton woven cut into strips about 2 inches wide. I use the big giant crochet hook and I just crocheted them into an oval. I didn't use anything on the inside. It came out sturdy enough for me. We in fact have it on the front porch and it does catch a lot of dirt.
I would cut the shirts ( or old sheets for the cotton woven) into strips then sew the strips together then just crocheted it into a big oval. Clear as mud huh?
They can be rather heavy and I won't recommend washing them in your home washer.
I also had one at one time in the bathroom, out of old teeshirts and it was very absorbant when you stepped out of the tub.
Tawnya
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here's a rug I made last summer. It's crocheted from woven cotton fabric scraps. I ripped 2" wide strips and joined them by holding the ends of 2 strips together...cut a slit near the end (like a buttonhole)...and pull the other end of the new strip through the slits.
It's 52" in diameter (before washing) and I do wash it in the washing machine. It has been known to make it dance though.
I haven't tried braiding and sewing the braid together but based on how fast this rug was (made it in 3 days) I would guess crocheting is faster.
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joined them by holding the ends of 2 strips together...cut a slit near the end (like a buttonhole)...and pull the other end of the new strip through the slits.
Does the new strip then get pulled through the old one AND it's own end?
Rhea
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Does the new strip then get pulled through the old one AND it's own end?
Rhea
yes, cut a tiny hole in the old strip and in the new strip then push the new strip through the hole on the old strip and then through it's own hole. I have done this method too but I left my "tails" too long so it didn't look as nice.
I have absolutely nothing useful to add here lol, but I don't know how to subscribe to this thread but I want to be able to come back to it later.... I'm so glad you asked this question. I see a new spring project in my future....
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Delpha
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I have absolutely nothing useful to add here lol, but I don't know how to subscribe to this thread but I want to be able to come back to it later.... I'm so glad you asked this question. I see a new spring project in my future....
To subscribe to a thread without replying to it, use the "thread tools" menu above each thread. and I wish I had the talent to make such great rugs!
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I do too! And this is so timely because I almost threw a sheet out yesterday and then decided to keep it and attempt a braided rug out of it. But now I want to crochet it. So the big question is...
Here is a link I have in my favorites braided rug I love that rug you made Dannielle, beautiful
Thanks for the link! It looks like if will be very helpful. And thanks to everyone else for your input. I'll have to try making a crocheted rug too. I actually think I have a huge plastic crochet hook around here someplace that would be perfect for the job. Dannielle's rug is so inspiring.
i can dig out for you my rug making book, it's older and i found it at the thrift store, i think it's good housekeeping or one of those, but in book format...
pm me if you want and i'll keep an eye out for a copy at the stores around here kay?
j
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GREAT link! Thank you! My gramma used to make braided rugs out of old bread wrappers. They were quite durable and very easy to wash. This whole thread has my interest peaked.
~~Susannah
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