How to Make an Antique Rag Rug Loom

The history of the rag rug dates back to the Colonial time period. In a no waste society, worn fabrics from garments were re-purposed into rugs used for cushioning and buffering against the cold. Creating your own rag rug loom is a simple process.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 2 by 4
• 1/2 thick inch (or thicker) dowel rod
• Saw
• Drill
• Tape measure
• String
• Wood glue
• Sand paper

1. Make your base. Use the piece of 2 by 4, and trim it down with your saw to be a couple of feet longer than your rug. For example, if you want a 1 foot wide rug, cut the 2 by 4 to be 3 feet long.

2. Drill 1 inch deep holes in the 2 by 4, about 2 inches apart. You will be drilling into the thinner part, or edge of the 2 by 4. Take your time doing the drilling, as you could crack the wood if you go too quickly.

3. Cut the dowel rod into 4 inch long pegs. Make sure these are as uniform as possible. You may want to sand down the raw edges of the pegs. Frayed edges could snag the fabric of your rug when you begin weaving.

4. Carefully drill small holes, approximately 1/8 an inch from the bottom of each of your dowels. These holes need to be large enough for you to pass string through.

5. Insert the dowel pegs into the drilled holes in your base. Align the string holes so you can pass string in a straight line through all the dowels. Secure them with a drop or two of wood glue if they are loose in the holes.

6. Begin weaving your rug.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have access to a saw, check with your local hardware store. Oftentimes they offer wood cutting services for free or for a small fee.

Resources

• Loom information