Unusual Rag Rugs
(Available to buy in my Etsy shop, Absojutely Bagulous)
This is a twist on the traditional style rag rug. Also known as shag rugs, or clip rugs, traditional rag rugs are made by piercing holes in hessian sacks, poking rags through these holes and tying them. A second look at a rug I make and you will see it is different! The base has been crocheted with strong jute twine from a sustainable source. This not only allows for a much more interesting and decorative edging than is found on other rag rugs, but also gives it a harder wearing, longer lasting base.
The hundreds of rags (or 'clips') that make the shag pile are mainly from upcycled clothing and have been cut by hand and individually secured using a latch hook.
The rugs vary slightly in size, but are generally in the region of 32 inches diameter giving a surface area of just over 800 inches square (81cm diameter/5153 square cm).
If the rug is to be used on a hard, polished surface such as lino or laminate, I recommend a non-slip backing is used. I can provide this if required.
These are very unusual rag rugs and it is unlikely you will find anything similar anywhere else. Please contact me with any questions or if you would like to see more photographs.
These beautiful, hard-wearing rag rugs are currently available for purchase in the UK through my Etsy shop, Absojutely Bagulous.
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The follow information and quotes about home furnishings are from the Hands on History Museum in Hull, UK. "Today nearly all our household furnishings - bedding, curtains and carpets - are bought ready-made. Before mass production in the 19th century most clothes and furnishings were made at home. Few but the wealthy could afford carpets or many fabrics before the 1800s. Until such furnishings became cheaply available in the mid 20th century people made their own. ..... Quilts and rugs were made from recycled old clothes. Nothing was wasted. 'Rag' or 'clip' rugs were made from strips of old cloth worked into a hessian backing." "...Mother made the floor covering out of old coats, and I used to cut the clips. They had to be just right and Dad made the pokers .... he'd sharpen the end and mother used to do the clip mats at night."
"...(We had) lino, just lino but in front of the hearth was a clip rug."
