How to Do Rag Weaving

Rag weaving creates useful rugs of various shapes and designs.

Rag weaving has been around for years and it’s a craft that both adults and children can take part in. Rag weaving is inexpensive, and can also be created with any scrap material by using just one or two colors or different colors; the choice is yours. Designs can also be woven into the rug by planning out your pattern first on paper, then choosing specific colors and areas where you want the shapes to start forming. An all denim rug can also be made by simply using strips from old denim jeans, both faded and dark colors.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Tape measure
• Black marker
• Roll of jute
• 2 yards of material (2 different colors or patterns)
• Masking tape
• Double-back sticky tape (4 squares)
• 4-by-4-foot-square cardboard

Instructions

1. Tear 5-foot strips of material into 2-inch sections, creating about 50. It doesn’t matter if the material strips are all the same pattern or the same type of fabric, although a wide variety makes a more colorful rug. Measure and cut 30 separate 8-foot strands of jute. Lay a 4-foot-square piece of cardboard on a flat surface and secure using double-face sticky tape; place the jute strands on the cardboard.

2. Measure in on both the left and right sides of the cardboard 9 ½ inches and mark with a black marker, then place all the jute strands on the cardboard. Arrange each strand side-by-side on the cardboard, keeping them the same height. Measure 1 inch between the first two jute strands using a tape measure, and secure the top of each strand to the cardboard covering 1/2-inch part of the jute using small pieces of masking tape. Repeat this same process for the remaining pieces of jute.

3. Tighten the first piece of jute by tugging on the bottom of it gently and securing it with masking tape to the cardboard, covering 1/2 inch of the jute. Make the jute tight without pulling it loose from the top piece of masking tape. Repeat this same process for the remaining pieces of jute, keeping each taught and secured to the cardboard.

4. Weave the first piece of fabric, beginning on the left side, and place the end of the fabric under the first strand of jute, pulling the fabric until a 5-inch tail hangs out. Guide the fabric over the second strand of jute, under the third strand, then over the fourth. Follow this pattern until you reach the end, allowing another 5-inch tail to hang out of the right side of the frame. Push the fabric between each strand of jute, up toward the masking tape, using your fingers. Push the fabric up using your fingers after each weaving session.

5. Hold the second strip of material and, beginning at the left side of the frame, place the fabric over the first strand of jute then under the second strand, continuing this pattern going over and under each strand of jute until you reach the end. Repeat this process using each strip of material, rotating over and under each time you begin a new row to weave.

6. Remove the bottom pieces of masking tape and place the two corner strips of fabric between your fingers, starting at the bottom left of the frame.Tie the two pieces of fabric in a knot and repeat this process for the remaining three corners.

7. Place the first two pieces of fabric on the top left side of the frame between your fingers and tie into a knot. Repeat this process all the way around the frame, knotting each piece of fabric with a second piece. Knotting the ends of the fabric prevents the rug from unraveling when washed.

Tips & Warnings

• If using scraps of material that are not very long, it's a good idea to tie them together to create the proper length needed.

References

• Craft Passion: Woven Rag Rug
• Old And Interesting: Rag Rugs, Mats & Carpets
• Craft Stylish: How To Weave On a Cardboard Loom

Resources

• Big Learning: How To Make A Cardboard Loom
• Incredible Art department: Weaving With Foil Tooled Accent
• Rabbit Geek: Weaving On A Cardboard Loom