Rag Rug-Along Week 6

Yes, I know that I missed a week in there but for those of you that are following along it'll be okay. We have a season to finish this. For those tuning into the archives, disregard that first part.

Week 6 assignment : sew your 2.5" strips into three long strips by the short ends. Sew either straight across with a 1/4" seam allowance or at an angle and clip the excess. Either way you'll end up with some unruly pieces. Start twining these into a ball. Keep going cutting more strips and adding to the girth of the ball until you have three 6-8" wide balls. You are more than welcome to keep going with it though, the larger the ball the larger the finished rug.

Rag Rug-Along Week 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_Uz4H47-wc

I'm not blog savvy enough to figure out how to link a YouTube video into my posts. If anyone knows feel free to post a comment with how to do it. The above link is to a rug making video. Just a little inspiration since we're already a month into the project. Things will pick up over the next few weeks as we create the fabric balls, braid them and start to wind our rugs.

I posted a column on the left side with links to the previous weeks. So far we've just gathered and washed material and are now in the process of cutting them into 2.5" strips. I've been having trouble trying to cut my large sheets without shifting so this week I'll be cutting them down to more managable pieces and joining them together.

Week Five Assignment - Finish cutting materials and if you've got the time start joining them together on the short ends. Sew them across with a small 1/4-1/2" seam allowance and roll them into balls. You'll end up with three 6-8" (or larger if you want!) balls of strips.

Happy cutting and sewing!

And if anyone is actually doing this along with me please let me know!

Rag Rug-along week 4

Hello Sunday to all you rag ruggers (or at least to me since there seems to be none so far)! To recap the assignments:

Week 1 - Gather materials
Week 2- continue to gather materials
Week 3- Wash your fabrics (bonus Ironing task if you felt giddy)

Easy, simple. If you're just tuning in (and I hope someone is) getting caught up won't be difficult. Remember to send me photos of your stashes to get them posted up (with links to your store, twitter, facebook, blog whatever!) to UUmom2many@yahoo.com

And now...

Week 4 Assignment - cut fabric into 2.5" long strips. Doesn't matter if it's with or against the grain. For cutting large pieces it's easier to use a rotary cutter, ruler and fold the material so it's all even and make a single short cut. Like this:

Don't cut too many layers at once or the material will shift. I recommend doing at the most 4 layers of thin materials.

Then you'll end up with pieces that look like this:

This is only 3 pillow cases, 1 queen flat sheet and part of a fitted king size. I left the seams where they were on the ENDS of the fabric (like where the pillow case is joined at the end) but cut off the others. The reason is that we'll be sewing these together anyway so the factory seams won't hinder our progress.

Have fun cutting!

Rag Rug-along week 3

Howdy! So this is week three of the Rag Rug-along. If you're new to the game you haven't missed much so jump right in! Last weeks assignment (and the week before that) was to gather materials for your rug. It can be anything as long as it's not strechy and the fabric weights are similar. Shirts, pants, sheets, curtains. Whatever.

Here's my stash...

It consists of various sized flat sheets for various sized beds (one size I don't even have anymore) plus some lonely pillow cases that have no mates. I stayed away from fitted as they'd become odd shaped when I cut off the elastic. I'm going for easy here.

The picture isn't very good but they're greens, browns and blues. The striped is a king size so I have the most of that. I think the smattering of other colors throughout are going to look really good. I have these colors through most of my downstairs.

Here's week three's assignment wash your fabrics and if you're feeling really fiesty, go ahead and iron them too. If they're new wash on hot and try and get them shrunk just incase.

We're taking it nice and slow. Feel free to join up and learn how to make yourself a Rag Rug. I'd love to see photos of your stash if you're following along.

Rag Rug-Along week 2

Ok. I have a confession. I have no fabric stash as of today. I know, I know! But here is a good lesson here...I don't actually know what the lesson is but it's good. I'm sure.

I did actually go through the kids clothes but there wasn't anything in there since I just did a declutter in there a few weeks ago. I even went to the thrift store searching for lonely flat sheets but found none. There is one good thing about doing a project that lasts a season...we have time.

This weeks assignment is to get up more (or any) fabric for your rugs.

Next week we'll be washing and ironing to get ready for cutting. Remember you can join in at any time!

Rag Rug-along Sunday

I've been wanting to make one of these for a really long time. I love the cozy comfort of it. The flow of colors. The reuse of materials. The durability. Now, I have not only the inspiration but the instructions thanks to Mother Earth News.

Every Sunday I'll be posting a Rag Rug-along update. We'll start today. Just peruse your house for materials you'd like to use and make a pile, keep going with this for the rest of the week. Look for materials similar in weight (thickness). Old sheets, shirts, lightweight pants. Pull out your fat clothes and make better use of them. Sort out your kids hand-me-downs and pull from the outgrown or sullied. If you can't find anything today, go check out your local thrift stores this week.

Your Rag Rug doesn't have to be a rainbow smorgasborg. Choose colors in the same palette or variations on a hue. Think about where your rug will be in your home. Entry Way? Kitchen? Bathroom? Kids Room? Laundry Room? Color your materials accordingly.

I'll be taking an approach similar to one I take with everything else: Not a whole lot of planning. Should be fun!

Send in your photos of your Rag Rug stashes and see them featured here on the blog throughout our Rug-along. Each Sunday I'll post my progress, your photos and the goal for the following week. The estimated time frame for a Rag Rug is a season so we'll take our time (since I have little extra of it anyway) and do this slowly. Then too, whomever stumbles upon our project will have time to catch up.

Be sure to tell your friends and other crafters. Perhaps we can have a Rug-along meet up later into the project. To sign up just post a comment on the blog!