RUG REMOVAL!

We recently took the first six rugs off the loom just to see how the finished products were going to look before we continued on. Here is a picture of the first rugs, cut free on the weaving end, loosened and rolled up on the bench right before we cut them from the loom.

Once the rugs were cut off, we had to re-tie all the warp threads to the apron of the loom so we can weave again! This week Rhiannon has spent countless hours cutting old clothing and sewing up strips of material that we've had donated. She has gotten several rugs' worth of fabric ready for the second round of weaving!

Here are the first six finished rugs draped over an old couch in the basement. (Excuse all the junk in the background--we have our weaving set up in the basement!). From left to right--a rug of colorful fleece strips (we like to name our rugs and this one will be something like "Northern Lights," or "Neon Northwoods,"), a sock rug, mostly white, multi-colored rug of woven cotton scraps. Next is a rug made of mostly black and blue socks. The fifth rug is another of the woven cottons. The rug laying in front with yellow in it is another sock rug.

 

Sock rugs are the easiest to prepare. Socks are cut in round loops and then "looped" together, no sewing required. Nylons can also be done this way. However, I'm partial to the old fashioned woven cotton scrap rugs, just like grandma used to make. But I figure in this modern day of not darning socks, the sock rugs are a great alternative to just throwing away a pair of socks which have developed holes in them!

 

We are pretty excited about the finished products, but need to work on a few details to improve quality. Hopefully we'll be making more soon and can share more photos. This is the exciting part of the whole process--getting to see the finished product!

Blessings, LORI

 

 

 

WARPED!

Well, I suppose that WARPED! is a strange title, but you'll see what I mean! It is my pleasure to announce the running operation of my newest loom--the Union 36! For those of you who read my blog often, you may remember seeing pictures of both my looms a while back. The reason I'm so excited is that warping is a BIG job and I have been trying for 10+ years--ever since we moved in here, to get the old loom warped and ready to make rugs again. I guess it took a winter storm to make that happen--though it is the new loom that is warped first!

Now with the Union 36 done, I have a new goal of getting the other up and running! It is an old friend and I don't intend to retire it permanently. However, the Union 36 is a great little loom and with all parts in working order, it was a pleasure to weave with it.

 

EXPLANATION OF WEAVING TERMS

 WARP--The threads that make up the front to back or "vertical" part of the weaving, they run the length of the project.

WEFT--The rags, yarn, or other material that goes back and forth (horizontally) forming the item.

SHUTTLE--the wooden device that carries the weft back and forth

SHED--The space between the warp threads when you press the pedals. The threads separate and allow you to put the shuttle between in order to weave.

REED--The metal device that is the final thread carrier for the warp. It is in the handle of the loom and beats against the weft. Reeds come in various sizes.

HEDDLES--The wire thread carriers that are attached to the "harnesses."

HARNESS--Frames that lift up and down (operated by the peddles) that separate the threads (over and under) so the weaving can be created. Looms with more than two harnesses can make fancier patterns.

SHOT--one pass through of the shuttle

 

This is the first of the weaving. Warp threads are tied on to the apron. I used a yard stick and some old socks (scrap rug material) as something to beat against to start the first rug. That will all be pulled out later when the rugs are cut off the loom. Warp is applied--20 shots--to create a finished edge for the rug. You can see that "see through" area in front of the rags. I never can get that to pack tightly down, but it will shove nicely into place when I tie the ends during the finishing process.

 

Pulling the beater bar back to force the rags into place. You can see the reed in this picture (red bar is the bottom of the reed). See the dark strip of fabric? It is positioned between the warp threads. It is rug material waiting to be packed into the existing rows. Four rows are in place in this picture. One harness full of heddles is clearly visible in this picture as are the pedals underneath the warp threads (near the floor).

The shuttle loaded with rags, the stretcher bar applied to stretch the warp threads evenly from side to side. This helps the edges stay even--an issue I always seem to have. See the black and blue pieces of fabric in between warp threads? You always leave an arc of fabric before packing it down. This helps alleviate stretched edges and allows for enough weft fabric to "take up" when beaten back.

Two shuttles wound with rags. The larger one is very nice and came with the new loom, however I switched to the other early in the process--it seemed easier to use. It is homemade and was given to me when I purchased the other loom. Maybe I'm just used to it--but it sailed through the "shed" easily with its rounded edges.

The first part of the rug all woven. It ended up being almost exactly 1 1/2 yds. long--a most desirable length for a rag rug. It will shrink up a bit when removed from the loom and tension is let off. The rug is about 29 1/2 inches wide. Most customers will purchase this size readily. Nice selvedge edges on the right, a little sloppy on the left--not sure why. I've got room to learn!

 

 There is something about weaving rag rugs that just makes me smile. I love it! It's like the spinning--I just love the craft. Maybe making something out of nothing and salvaging scraps to make a useful product is the beauty of the rag rug art. I enjoy seeing the colors as they appear before my very eyes and make lovely wavy patterns that can be enjoyed for years to come!

What has changed since I last wove a rug? My hair color--and it's now easier to see the work with glasses on! Blessings, LORI