All snuggled up on a rug made from rags the animals in the picture seem quite content. Seeing that print brings memories of my Grandmother and her home to my mind. She used rag rugs in every room of her house. They were not of the store bought variety, no her rugs were made from items that could have been thrown away. Clothing that no longer fit anyone, faded curtains, threadbare aprons, and other fabrics saved for one more use. Grandma always found a way to re-use items, more out of necessity than a desire to be good to the planet. Truth be told, she probably never heard the term re-cycle because it had not been coined yet back when she lived a life of finding new uses for just about everything, including cloth.
What brought me to this topic today was an article that I read last week by Devilsworkshopscrafts. The piece, How To Make A Rag Rug gives great instructions on the different methods used to make a rug from rags or any fabric. We learn that these wonderfully thrifty rugs can be woven, braided, or crocheted depending on the desired look. We can view a video telling us how to make a rag rug. I particularly enjoyed the old photos of rugs being woven back in the 1930s. Reading this article stirred some wonderful memories of my Grandmother and I wanted to share those with you today.
Grandma would let me help her with the strips of fabric that she had cut in her spare time. We would sew them together, end to end and then roll them into balls. The balls were placed into a large basket until she knew she had enough for a new rug. You can not imagine how colorful that basket of cloth balls would become! Once there were enough balls collected, Grandma would take the basket to a friend of hers who would weave them into the most delightful rugs.
When the new rugs would be placed on the floor, I probably annoyed the dickens out of Grandma. I would lay next to that rug for hours naming the fabrics I could see. "Oh look! Here are the old kitchen curtains in this section! Grandma, your old red apron looks really pretty in this section next to Grandpa's blue shirt!" Those rugs made out of Grandma's rags were a source of entertainment but they also were a slice of our family, one strip at a time. Rags created rugs from the fabrics of our lives and they were beautiful. Little did I understand at the time that I was learning at an early age how to live a "green" lifestyle. They just brought me joy.
What fabulous memories of your grandmother and her rug making! This whole review makes me feel all cozy and warm. My grandmothers made braided rugs this way, but I never helped. I'm not sure if they made any other type, but the women back in those days were terribly crafty and mostly by necessity as you say. Also, I love that picture by our dear Sherry. She was a true talent. Thanks Bev.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in the Peace Corps I saw several people making these rugs. And funny but you can actually buy look a likes in the store, although they don't have the memories like you have of grandmas apron and the other items the rags came from. Very nice, and yes full of memories.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how a Squidoo Lens can bring back such vivid memories in our own lives. Loved your story, Bev, as well as the lens. Sounds like your grandmother was a true teacher for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful review! I loved to read your memories and glad you found a great lens that spurred them. My grandmother had rag rungs throughout her house too and I hadn't thought of them in a while. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteRug memories here as well from this great review. Bev, your grandmothers sounds like a fine lady. :)
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