About Simple Braided Rug Making
Braided rugs, also known as rag rugs, have been used since before the birth of Christ. Every country in the world makes some type of braided rug. The techniques are different, but the idea of utilizing worn-out clothing in the braids is a common practice. Old clothing and other old fabrics have often been used to create the braided rugs, the simplest of which is made of three strips of fabric. Thicker braids can be made by simply using more fabric strips.
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Preparation
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The fabric is cut into 1 1/2 or 2 inch wide strips. The strips can be sewn together on the width ends to form very long strips of fabric. Three fabric strips are then tacked together using sewing thread. The braid is begun by turning both edges of each fabric strip to the center. One of the outside strips is placed over the top of the center strip. The opposite outside strip is placed over the new center strip. The outside strips are continually alternated over the center strip to create the braid.
Round Braided Rugs
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A round braided rug is created by braiding a long strip of braided fabric. The end of the braid is used for the beginning of the circle. The braid is wrapped around itself and laced together. Heavy thread, such as button hole thread, is used to secure the braid together.
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Oval Braided Rugs
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The center strip to the rug is made differently to create an oval braided rug; it is used to create the elongation. To make an oval rug that is 4 feet long and 2 feet wide, the center strip needs to be 2 feet 1 inch. The secret to creating an elongated rug is adding 1 inch to the width length for the center strip measurement. The braided strip is then attached to the center strip using strong thread.
Types of Braids
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There are four basic braids used to create a braided rug. They are cable, flat, tubular and corded.
The cable braid originated in the 1800s when a rope was needed to hoist a mast on a ship. The braid is very tight and interlocks the strands or strips together.
The flat braid is the oldest braid known. It uses three or more strands or strips that are braided together. This is the braid most commonly thought of as a braided rug.
The tubular braid is simply strands or strips of an item wrapped around a cord. This type of braid is used in corded rug making.
The corded braid is the most common braid used by manufacturers today. This braid is not really a braid. It is a tube that is filled and sewn into an oval shape. It is meant to simulate the original braided rugs.
Braided Rug Weaving Tools
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Rug braiding tips are made of metal and placed on the end of the fabric. The tips look like small cones that have the edges curled. The edges of the fabric are automatically turned as the tip is pulled down the strip. The tips are time saving tools that eliminate the need to hand-fold the edges of the fabric strip to the center while braiding.
Special flat rug braiding needles are available. The needles are approximately 2 inches long. The needle is flat with a large eye. The flatness of the needle allows an easier connecting of the strips compared to a round needle.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit braided rags image by Al Mueller from Fotolia.com
