From Rugs To Riches: Turning Rugs Into Crafts

What about rugs? Rugs may seem useless and valueless but taking a closer look and using one's aesthetic sense would make a big difference

. Cast or scatter rugs look good on floors or carpeting. They pick up the colors of curtains or furniture and tie the room together. They save wear on tear on carpets and floors when placed on high traffic areas. Making rugs can be a fun and rewarding craft or a highly skilled art.

Braided rugs are often referred to as Rag rugs as they are typically made from strips of fabric prepared as in rag rugs. They add a homey feel to any house and can add to the existing decor by using a color scheme that fits each room. Sew three strips together at the top and begin braiding. You can assemble your braids into a round, square or rectangular rug by sewing or tacking the braids together as you go. Be sure to use a heavy durable thread; avoid cotton as it deteriorates over time; choose nylon or synthetic. As you make your braids, wind them around a roll to keep them flat and as you assemble them, check as you go to make sure you are sewing your braids together flat. Double braiding refers to braiding together three strips, then braiding together three of the finished braids.

Rag rugs are a great way to recycle old clothes, sheets or other fabric. Strips of cloth are cut in widths from 1/4 to 2 inches, depending on kind of rug and sturdiness desired. It isn't necessary to overcast the edges of the fabric. The slight raveling is part of the look of a rag rug. Wider strips can be used with raw edges turned under so no raw edges will show on right side of rug. To join strips, you can tie and hide the tie at the back or the rug, or sew the two edges together (cut diagonally and the join will be less lumpy). Each strip of cloth is rolled into a ball. The strips serve the same function as yarn; you can crochet a round, square or rectangular rug. You can also use fabric cut into small strips and hook your rug.

Crocheted rugs are made from strips of fabric or yarn crocheted into shape using a single crochet stitch worked over a beginning chain stitch. You may want to recycle some old clothing into rag rugs too or you may want to purchase yards of fabric especially to crochet rag rugs from. Check the bargain bins at your local fabric shop; you may find something you'd just love to crochet a rug from. One common problem with crocheted rugs from fabric is getting them to lay flat, especially with round rugs. Since all fabric is different, you must determine yourself when to increase stitches as you crochet around. As long as you already know how to do single crochet stitches, the main knowledge you need for rag crochet is in knowing how to prepare the fabric strips to crochet with.

Copyright (c) 2012 Joe Maldonado

by: Joe Maldonado

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