Using the emphasis in today's world about recycling, going green rather than wasting our natural resources, I believe we would be better off these days if we had paid more attention to our own ancestors. They had the technique of reusing items rather than wasting anything right away. One of the items that these people recycled is something a lot of people would throw away. Towels! I was fortunate enough to inherit my Great Grandmothers loom that my Mommy cherished and made fantastic use of by converting our old sheets, jeans and clothes into beautiful, practical rag rugs. I will remember Mom sitting down for hours and tearing old clothes or even sheets into narrow strips, sewing or perhaps knotting the ends with each other and them going the "rags" into balls that she would afterwards wind around a shuttle to incorporate into her rugs.

To weave a rag rug, one thing you need in addition to a loom and rags of course, is actually warp string. The particular warp string can be a stronger, heavier yarn that is held limited by the loom's frame. Twist has to be strong, since it is held in a lot pressure during the entire process. Make sure when you are stringing up your loom, that you've even tension to create your rugs tougher area rugs 8x10. With today's technology, we are able to use cotton yarn and artificial fibres, but traditionally warp was wool, linen or silk fibers. Usually, the twist is more of a fairly neutral color to blend along with your rags nevertheless it does come in a number of colors to use. Whenever stringing up your loom, be very careful never to cross the extremely high threads. You will have to twine your warp through the heddle, which is a comb like item with slots and holes that you will alternate the twist through. Most looms will include complete instructions, but when you pick up a pre-owned loom, try searching on the internet regarding instructions. Unfortunately, the actual loom that I have does not have a manual, therefore i am very careful to install my new twist thread to an existing string and draw it through the heddle this way. This step will require several patience, you have to be certain that you don't cross the warp string, that you alternate it between your holes and slot machines and that you have tight even tension. It requires me a good day time to string my loom, but once it is strung, I can incorporate several rugs before I have to string it again.

Once the loom is strung and you have the rags torn and ready to go, the fun commences. Your rags or even as they are called "weft" must be wound on a taxi. A shuttle is generally a flat stick with steps on the ends that you wind your weft on lengthwise. The width of one's rag strips may differ depending on the thickness you wish on your rugs. I'll typically use between 3/4" to 1" strips depending on the heaviness of the fabric. My partner and i make my pieces of blue jeans into narrower pieces than what I would a linen fabric. You can use both types of material in the same rug; just make sure the quality fabric is in broader strips to make the rug more actually. The fun thing regarding using rags will be the assortment of colors that you will have and how they will weave a pattern within your rug. You are able to weave by raising as well as lowering the heddle and moving the shuttle through the open space in your warp threads. Once you raise the heddle, the strings that you have put through the particular holes will raise, while the strings that you have in the slots will remain stationary. Once you raise the heddle and slide your shuttle through, you will need to make sure that the welt will be tight against the previous row. Most looms could have a type of comb bar that will aid in this process. Now you change the position of the heddle by lowering the holes and elevating the slots, slide the shuttle via, tighten the welt and keep repeating the process. It won't be long until you reach the desired length of area rug that you want. I nearly forgot, you will also have to have a "stretcher" to hold the ends of your woven area rug to the original thickness while weaving, so you will not end up with an hourglass shape rugby world cup.

To finish the particular rug, carefully reduce the warp from the front of the loom, leaving behind enough warp so that you can tie two guitar strings together in a troubles, about 4" works well. This will not only secure your own rug from unraveling, nevertheless it adds a nice fringe to your finished carpet. All you have to do is repeat the same method to your rug around the back of the loom and you are finished. You will adore how rag rugs wear and are simple to clean by operating them through the wash with a mild detergent. Vary the size of your warp making place-mats, table runners or perhaps use your imagination to make a number of things. Just tear, string, weave and luxuriate in!