Inspiration Board 2 - Rag Rugs

Continuing from yesterday, another technique to make rag rugs and my favourite is called the Shaggy Rag Rug.  This style of rug is not flat, instead the fabric is knotted through a mesh and the ends left loose so it stands up like a shag pile carpet.  This is the technique I remember doing at school so I really wanted to try it out again myself.

These rugs can be made in variety of different ways, using an open mesh it is possible to just thread the fabric through and tie it off.  Or Hessian can be used to create a much tighter weave but to thread the fabric through you may need to use a hooked needle.  Here are some designs and tutorials I am using for inspiration, to find more look on my Rag Rug Pinboard:

1 - I love how you can incorporate a design like this multicoloured Union Flag Rag Rug from Folksy.

2 - This tutorial for a Patchwork Shaggy Rag Rug is brilliant.

3 - Rag Heart decoration from Folksy. 

4 - A Shaggy Rag Rug Tutorial from Etsy.

5 - Yet again another favourite from Urban Outfitters this Yellow Shaggy Rag Rug.

6 - This Bath Shaggy Rag Rug is made from towels.

7 - This Little Field Of Flowers Rug isn't strictly a Rag Rug but it uses the same technique, I just love it.

8 - Polka Dot Shag Rag Pillow from Folksy.

I recently received a large batch of fabric offcuts from a friends of my Mum's, even though they are not exactly the designs and colour I am looking for I can't say no to free fabric and it's a brilliant way to get started so I can experiment and see how much fabric I am likely to need if I were to make more.

~Sarah~

Inspiration Board 1 - Rag Rugs

I was very lucky to go to a Primary School where all the teachers and TA's loved crafting, I learnt an awful lot and have kept going ever since.  I was recently talking to my Mum, who works as a TA at my old Primary School, about one such craft - creating Rag Rugs.  I don't really remember the finished product, but I definitely remember making them the rugs, tearing/cutting up fabric scraps and threading it through a large piece of hessian.

There are two types of rag rug, the first which I will talk about today uses fabric scraps are knotted, crocheted or plaited together to create a flat surfaced rug.  Most are round or oval as this is an easy shape to make, but some make use of a mesh which can be worked into.  One common technique is to use a hooked needle to push and pull the fabric through the mesh, just like in picture 6 below.

I found these examples below on Pinterest but where possible I have linked them directly.  I have collected a much larger selection on my Rag Rug Pinboard, these are some of my favourites:

1 - I love this plaited Sun Burst Rug the graduation of colours is amazing from Etsy.
2 - A very Colourful Rug with frilled edges from Urban Outfitters.
3 - These Rag Baskets are fantastic, get the pattern from Clotilde.
4 - This Snowdrift Rug makes use of different fabrics, just beautiful.
5 - I like how they have used white to break up the colour in this Plaited Rug.
6 - This Blue Square Rug was made with t-shirts and denim.
7 - Couldn't resist this Purple Rug also from Urban Outftters.
8 - The colour combination of this Gingham Rug is fantastic.
9 - Rag Rug Pillows from East Meets West Antiques.

I'll be back tomorrow with some different techniques to make rag rugs so stay tuned.

~Sarah~

So Much To Do, So Little Time...

Over the past couple of weeks I have become very lazy with my blog; with the sudden realisation that I have 3 days to post 3 times to fill my monthly quota, not clever!! I blame Graeme for 2 reasons, firstly, I haven't seen him in ages so want to spend lots of time together, secondly it's been his birthday this week (and I mean week!!) so all attention has been on him.

Happy 25th Graeme, love you xxx

First celebration was TGI Fridays, just look at the awesome Jack Daniels Sticky Ribs, I am in love with this restaurant, the Jack Daniels Sesame Chicken Strips are the most amazing starter ever!! *drool* ok I'm hungry now.

Second celebration was a Xbox Kinect; it is so awesome!! I felt like a little idiot jumping all over the room but it's so much fun!! Although every muscle in my body is aching, that can't be a bad thing, it means I'm exercising!!  Third celebration was an epic BBQ at Graeme's, much fun was had by all, so much so it took me all weekend to recover!!

As the week is now over I am concentrating fully on my blog and crafting - sort of... we recently joined our local sports centre (we like food far too much!!) and are determined to go every workday evening for gym or a swim.  I have been very inspired my friend Erik and his blog Couch Potato to Marathon Runner; he's recently taken up running and has lost quite a bit of weight; he's doing a fantastic, well done Erik!!

This new health kick may not start fully until next month though, as we have also decided to go on a very impromptu holiday next Thursday to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt for a week. Last minute deals are the best!!  Check out our Hotel the Tropicanna Sea Beach, Graeme was sold by the pool bar, we just can't wait, are you jealous?? 

Alas I am getting side tracked once again, I definitely need this holiday to sort my head out and get organised!!

I promise to start posting crafty things again very soon!!

~Sarah~