This craft is extremely economical as the main material used is recycled clothing and bedding. Most fabric is suitable, the thicker the better, but keep to the same weight fabric in each rug,
eg. all shirts/bedding or all t shirts.
The only other material needed
is a piece of hessian for the back cloth
A rag rugger tool is available from Makings Handicrafts
Take a selection of old clothes
cut off the buttons and keep for further crafts
cut off all the seams and hems to leave flat pieces of fabric.
Smooth out the fabric and fold
then cut into strips about 1 inch /2.5cm wide
Next use the handy cutting gauge,
which is a 17.5cm long hardwood dowel
with a deep groove along 1 side
Wrap a long strip of cloth around it like a bandage
and cut through the groove with sharp scissors
This will reduce it to the lengths required for making the rug
Push the rugger under 2 or 3 strands of hessian as far as it will go
Place 1 end of a rag strip in the rugger jaw
Pull the rugger back until half the rag strip
has passed through the hessian and release.
There is no need to knot the rag
the next strip should be threaded into the hessian
about 4 or 5 strands away in each direction
Make a hem around the edge of the hessian
about 2 inches/5cm wide
using rag strips to hold it in place
Cover the whole of the hessian with strips.
The method of rugging is very flexible,
there is no need to work in straight rows
When the rug is complete give it a good shake
to remove bits and produce an even appearance
DO NOT VACUUM the rug!
Occasionally take out doors and shake to remove dust!
ENJOY :)
34 lovely friends said:
Lovely tutorial. This is one of those crafts that has been on my 'to do' list for ever! You have made it look so simple. I have one of those wooden things - I just didn't know what it was for. I also have the hookers just waiting... As my husband says 'all the gear, no idea!'
Jille x
Thanks for the tutorial, you explained everything very clearly (that's the teacher part of you I expect). Is it easy to get hold of the hessian?
Sue
Thanks, it is really intersting and nothing like I thought, would love to try it.
now whose t shirts should I sneak off with :)
Cate x
Hessian is readily available in my fabric store and on the internet I'm sure, make sure you choose one with loose weave though!
Thank you so much for that. I did do a course last year but had forgot how to do it. i have the tools already.
How is your KC rug comming along?
My CK rug is coming on great thanks but am running out of fabrics as its larger than Ive done before! So more car booting needed to get supplies! Will show photos when done! Thanks for asking x
So many cool crafts that I want to do and so little time.
Thanks for the tutorial, I saved it!!
Thanks Heather, that's a brilliant tutorial. I can't wait to get started on a rug now.
Oh, I'm doing a happy dance now :-)
Thank you so much for the tutorial Heather
Jo
Thank you for the great tutorial, it is so clear and describes everything so well! I must have a go, this is just the excuse I need to buy more fabric and craft tools etc.
PS don't tell my hubby lol
That's a great tutorial, thank you. I have been saving my rags for about a year now, with most of them all cut into strips already. I am taking it on holiday with me in two weeks time. Well we are going to the Outer Hebrides, I'm going to need something to do lol!!!
I love the colors you chose! Definitely me!
Thanks for sharing.
I've been "locker hooking" for a while. I must try this!!
Thanks for all your lovely comments girls its great to have you there:)
A incredible tutorial. You make it look so easy. I need a rug so bad and they are so expensive. I have to try this. I will have to find the hooker and fabric but it will be so worth it. I just cant wait to see your flowered one finished.
Smiles,
Kim
Oh Thank You!!! I have always wondered how to do this...and you make it look so easy. I will have to be doing this very soon!
Happy day to you,
dawn:)
Lovely to hear so many of you enjoying the tutorial, the rugging hook and hessian are available to buy at www.makings.co.uk and are not expensive
hi Heather,
how are you doing ,i am in love with your blog and throughly enjoying your rug tutorials.
have a good day
greetings
Rachana
Thanks for the tutorial! You definitely made it look so simple and I bet it's not easy, but I really want to have ago, we have lots of old rags that would be great as a rug. Where do you get a rugger? Thanks! :) x
wow how interesting....does that mean you cant wash these rugs?
Hugs Khris
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a lovely comment.I love your rag rug and a great tutorial too.When I've finished my painting..and my crochet cushion.. I will have a go at that!
Bellaboo :o)
Wow you make it look so easy! I have a feeling I would be working on something like this for a long long time...thanks for the inspiration! Hugs.
wow! lots of work! nice.
Brilliant - thanks for doing this. Definately something I'd like to try @ some point :)
Thank you so much for the tutorial. I just need to start collecting fabrics now!
This tutorial has really inspired me to make my very own rag rug. Yours looks fab! But I've hit a bit of a technical hitch...
I've bought myself what I thought was a rag-rugger to get started, but the 'jaws' dont open up like yours do :S
It looks like yours, in that it's got a pointed end and two little handles, but where on yours the pointed end opens, with mine the end is soldered together!(I tried to post you a picture, but it wont let me, so your imagination will have to do!) Any ideas what it might be? Is it some other kind of rag rug making, or have a just bought a dud? Any insight at all would be much appreciated. It's such a disapointment when I was so excited to get started! Thanks! X
Laura the tool sounds faulty to me if the jaws dont open, where did you buy it from, Id send it back. John at Makings is very helpful
http://www.makings.co.uk/
so sorry to hear your trouble
contact him
Heather x
Hello
Thank you for giving me the link, and for this artfull project :-)
love this technique and what you done
:-)
Marie (from Flickr)
Your instructions and pics are fantastic! I did not know you called burlap "hessian"!! My friend Donna Hamilton made a purse with your method and it turned out fabulous. Cannot wait to start mine. Thanks for inspiring us!
I have *got* to try this as I have a superb supply of t-shirts right now... my twin nephews are coming up 7 and growing like weeds so I can have all their cast-offs!
So, a huge thank you for such a great tutorial - even I can follow this :)
Kαλώς σε βρήκα!!Πολύ όμορφο το blog σου!!!Το χαλάκι καταπληκτικό!!!Ευχαριστούμε για τις οδηγίες!!!
It sure looks easy when you show it on here! Thanks for teaching me something today!
Thank you so much... I have been having a sort out, clothing, bedding etc... some things I don't want to part with but no longer fit... I had the idea of making a rag rug but didn't know where to start. You have made it so easy to understand... I can't wait to order the tools and get going. Well done on such an inspirational blog... Thanks... Nicky x
Thank you Nichola and good luck with your rug!
Hello!
Thank you very much for the tutorial, it has really inspired me to give it a go!!!
Just a quick question though, when the rags are cut, what approximate length should they be? As a complete novice, I dodn't want to cut up all the clothes to find they are too short or long!! Thanks once again for your help,
Katie
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