General Chat

Does anyone know how to do rag rugs the ole fashioned way? or know of a site that gives destructions? I fancy doing some!!!! Carol

no but if you need any hooks still got m-i-l ann xx

They sell kits and instructions on ebay. Looks a bit tedious for me though! lol Sue xx

Do you mean with old clothes or wool????????/ Suexxxxxxx

This site gives dates of Rag Rug Workshops but they are in East Sussex. It does give email details, so perhaps they would send you details. http://www.debbiesiniska(.)co.uk/rugs/workshops/dates.php Kath. x (p.s. we called them clippy mats!!)

Well my brother and I used to help mam make them when we were tiddlers Carol, out of old clothes and coats etc. Can't quite remember what type of backing she used for them but was probably hessian............we would cut up the material into strips and mam would thread them through with a hooked needle..........can't remember the name for that either but someone will know. They're very easy to put together, we had slip mats all over the house in those days. Surprising that they're still quite fashionable. Jen

Equipment from site given above:- Tools & Equipment Rug Hook Smooth yew handle Solid brass hook 4 inches long Bodger Comfortable wooden handle Sprung jaw to grip fabric 6½ inches long Shuttle Hook Two handed tool Made in solid English beechwood Hardened steel working parts 9½ by 4 inches Rug Frame Approx 4' 6' by 2' 6' (137cm by 76cm) Sturdy construction Adjustable Kath. x

Showing my age now, but have made quite a few of these. You need either a rag rug hook (a latchet) or you can do it with a crochet needle. Using hessian backing, or any similar open weave fabric, cut fabric into strips (boring boring boring).Use similar types/weights of fabric for the best results - all those horrid crimplene dresses make fantastic rag rugs. Fold each strip in half longways, pull the fold through the fabric, take the loop through the next hole, back to the front again, over the two loose ends of the strip, and tighten the loop. I have one that I made about 20 years ago as a wall hanging. It weighs a ton. I have made a few for friends but stopped when I saw a prog on telly which had rag rugs selling for over £1000! OC

Have recently thrown the last one of my Mum's away - all that shaking and beating to get all the dirt out. Jay

My dad used to make those when I was little, and I think I still have the hook somewhere. Maybe I should cut up some of my old clothes and have a go.